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shortfest 2021 Archive

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2021 ShortFest Archive

Film Index

List of all 295 films showing at the 2021 Palm Springs International ShortFest. Note: When you attend a ShortFest screening you'll be attending a package of films grouped together.

Aniksha

Aniksha, a young Mauritian woman, finds her first job at a call center in the wake of her arranged marriage. As she discovers a new world of possibilities, she has to decide whether to stay in a familiar way of life or break with traditions.

In competition for Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes.
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Anita

While attending her sister's wedding in India, the forces of patriarchy push Anita to question whether her life in America is any better than in her hometown.

In competition for Best of the Festival Award and Best Student U.S. Short.
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Are You Still There?

Safa is stranded in a parking lot with a dead car battery on a hot summer night waiting for help.

In competition for Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes and Best U.S. Short.
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Are You Still Watching?

Fantasy and reality merge when the perpetually horny Jamie endulges in queer delusions involving their favorite television characters. When they recount their erotic encounters to their physician Dr. Holland Taylor, they receive an unusual diagnosis.

In competition for Best Comedy Short and Best LGBT+ Short.
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August

August does not get the attention he deserves. When his younger brother needs to go to the hospital, August is taken care of by the neighbors. There, he experiences the recognition he always wanted, but when his immoral actions are ignored August finds himself stuck in an identity crisis.

In competition for Best Student International Short.
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Ava From My Class

During an after-school drama session, 10-year-old Anna becomes enthralled by her talented classmate Ava.

In competition for Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under and Best Student U.S. Short.
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Bad Omen

Pari, an in-house tailor working in Kabul, Afghanistan, must find the means to purchase her prescription glasses in order to save her job.

In competition for Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes and Best Student International Short.
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Bad Seeds

The struggle between two antagonistic plants reaches surreal new heights as they battle each for dominance in the garden.

In competition for Best Animated Short.
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Bambirak

When 8-year-old Kati stows away in her father's truck, Faruk must juggle his responsibilities as a single dad while holding down his first job in a new country.

In competition for Bridging the Borders Award and Best Student U.S. Short.
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Bearly

A bear who wants to see the winter fights his hibernation instincts to explore the beauty of the changing seasons in an animated musical.

In competition for Best Student Animated Short.
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Beau

Beau is an emerging artist who is about to unveil her latest installation. Her lover, Paloma, is a devoted supporter and her closet confidante. The pressure for Beau's success causes a rift in their relationship, and soon life imitates art.

In competition for Best Student U.S. Short.
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Beautiful!

Shot on VHS, a pair of filmmakers take a pregnancy test the night before a music video shoot.

In competition for Best Documentary Short.
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Beauty Marks

Ritchie begins to worry she shouldn’t have left her mother with a handsome drifter after wandering off with his reckless daughter.

In competition for Best Student U.S. Short.
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Bechora

Fourteen-year-old Maya steps into a more protective role towards her younger brother with special needs instead of seeing this responsibility forced upon her.

In competition for Best Student International Short.
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Birdie

A lonely fisherman desperate to raise money for an operation finds hope in the injured goldfinch he nurses back to health and enters into a local contest.

In competition for Best International Short.
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Bits

When his father arrives for a visit in a new truck, 11-year-old Teo reaches a decision that changes his life forever.

In competition for Best International Short.
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Blind Spots

The shooting of a sex scene triggers a conflict between an intimacy coordinator and the director on the film set.

In competition for Best Student International Short.
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Borekas

A breakdown on the way to the airport provides a father and son with an opportunity to reconnect.

In competition for Best LGBT+ Short.
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BoxBalet

A chance encounter brings together Olya, a willowy ballerina, and Evgeny, a burly pugilist. A fledgling romance emerges as the two face up to their respective hardships at the barre and in the ring.

In competition for Best Animated Short.
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Break In

What’s more embarrassing than writing erotic fiction about your crush? Writing erotic fiction about your crush and then accidentally texting it to her. When this very thing happens to Nousha she enlists the help of her best friend Oliver, and they set out on a mission to delete the text. By any means necessary.

In competition for Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes, Best Comedy Short, and Best LGBT+ Short.
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2021 ShortFest Archive