The 31st annual Palm Springs International ShortFest opened Tuesday with screenings of seven films at Festival Theatres.
The event was expected to run from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the venue located at 789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Organizers said opening day films included “Welcome to the Neighborhood,” “`Communication Breakdowns,” “Art Attack,” “Desert Docs,” “Outsiders and Underdogs, ”Social Animals” and “Opening Night.”
This year’s festival will feature 311 short films representing 64 countries across live-action, animation and documentary categories. The lineup includes 45 world premieres, 10 international premieres, 36 North American premieres, 19 U.S. premieres and 94 California premieres, organizers said.
More than 6,000 submissions were received from 141 countries and territories, organizers said.
Notable screenings during the festival include:
— “Aria” starring Timothy Chalamet;
— “BDAY Private Dick” starring John C. Reilly and Nick Thune;
— “Blood Boys” starring Booboo Stewart;
— “Cattywampus” staring Hamish Linklater and John Carroll Lynch;’
— “Dragfox” starring Ian McKellen and Divina De Campo;
— “Learning How to Drive” starring Alicia Silverstone;
— “Main Man” starring Haley Joel Osment, Finn Wittrock and Jenny Yang; and
— “Retirement Plan” starring Domhnall Gleeson.
In addition, the festival will showcase “Paradise’,’ with attendance by writer, director Hannelle M. Culpepper.
The ShortFest has long served as a platform for films that later receive Academy Award nominations.
To view the full line-up and ticket information, visit psfilmfest.org.