Palm Springs International Shortsfest, the 32nd annual short film showcase, will be held June 23-29.
Last year’s festival program included the Oscar-winning live-action short “The Singers,” the Oscar-nominated live-action short “Jane Austen’s Historical Drama,” the Oscar-nominated short documentary “The Devil is Busy,” and the Oscar-nominated animated shorts “Forevergreen” and “Retirement Plan.”
Awards and cash prizes valued at $25,000, including five Academy Award nominees, will be announced on June 28th, with the final screening of the Best of the Fest program on June 29th.
Tuesday, March 31st
Whoopi Goldberg joins animated film ‘Captain Zero: The Movie’ as executive producer
Whoopi Goldberg has joined the production team for Cutting Edge Animation’s new animated film Captain Zero: The Movie. Goldberg will serve as executive producer alongside longtime collaborator Tom Leonardis under the One Ho Productions banner.
“Captain Zero” is a 2D animated action drama that follows Xerxes Hughes, a Haitian-American teenager who “travels through life as a student, son, and friend, secretly living the life of a superhero, battling a dangerous cyberstalker, and confronting the living embodiment of his own depression.”
The film features an ensemble voice cast including Keith David (President Curtis), Zorey Griggs (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), Gary LeRoi Gray (The Fairly Odd Parents), Angelica Ross (American Horror Story), and Z. Cher-Aimé, with additional cast members to be announced in the future.
“Captain Zero: The Movie” expands on what was introduced in the animated short “Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II,” which was released in June 2025.
“When I first heard about this project, I loved the theme of getting to a better place,” says Goldberg. “It’s about not falling into the depths of sadness and loneliness, and reminding us that we’re not alone and that we can get through whatever happens. That resonated deeply with me, so I was excited to be a part of it.”
The producing team also includes Ross, Troy Pryor, Coty Galloway, and Cher Emme, who co-wrote the novel with Andre Enco. This film is currently in development.
Art world documentary “The Hammer” now on sale worldwide
The Hammer, a documentary about the life and career of legendary auctioneer Simon de Pury, is now on sale worldwide. Sales will be handled by executive producer Katherine Quantschnigg.
Directed by Simon Wallon, “The Hammer” gives audiences a rare glimpse into de Pury’s life, focusing on his journey from managing a private collection to leading auction houses like Sotheby’s. The film features contemporary artists such as Marina Abramovic, Jeff Koons, and Chloe Wise.
“Simon de Pury has long been a unique figure in the art world, and this film reveals the man behind the myth. Even in these uncertain and volatile times, art remains a powerful unifying agent, and ‘The Hammer’ provides both insight and entertainment. We are pleased to introduce this film to international buyers,” Quantschnig said in a statement.
The Hammer is co-financed and co-produced by Alexei Ageev, Kiss & Kill’s Simon Wallon, Forma Pro (Latvia)’s Julia and Viktoria Zaiseva, On a Wim Films’ Asya Nikolaeva, Lazy Mike Gallery’s Mike and Tanya Ovcharenko, Artists International Group’s David Unger, and Submarine Entertainment’s Daniel Brown, along with Black Square Magazine.
Monday, March 30th
Film Independent Announces 2026 Screenwriting Lab Fellows, Awarding $25,000 in Climate Change Grants
Film Independent has named seven fellows to its 2026 Screenwriting Lab, with the annual program scheduled to begin on April 6, the organization announced Monday.
Selected writers Andres Pérez-Duarte, Emma He, Maddy McCann, Sam Osborne, Ramy Park, Alyssa Torvinen and Alejandra Vazquez will participate in the intensive lab, now in its 27th year, which focuses on developing fiction feature scripts through tutoring and workshops.
Dia Vasquez, associate director of the Fiction Program, said, “We are thrilled to support this outstanding group of writers who approach their work with nuance and creativity.”
2026 Lab creative advisors include Linda Yvette Chavez, Phil Hay, Javier Fuentes Leon, Matt Manfredi, Robin Swicord, and guest speakers. Among them is HIKARI, who previously developed a debut feature at the lab, following in the footsteps of alumni such as Chloe Zhao and Andrew An.
In addition, Torvinen was awarded the 2nd Annual Climate Entertainment Development Grant ($25,000) in partnership with Plot Shift Media. The grant will support Turvinen’s novel The Extinction of the Badger, a project centered around the rediscovery of the mythical bird and the enthusiasm it sparks.
Screenwriting Lab has served as a launching pad for notable indie projects, including recent festival titles and award-winning productions. The program is part of Film Independent’s broader artist development initiative, which aims to support emerging filmmakers through labs, mentorship and grants.
Film Independent hosts the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards and has championed independent storytelling for more than 40 years.
