Palm Springs ShortFest Returns in June

The Palm Springs International ShortFest will return from June 23-29 for the 32nd annual showcase of short-form cinema.

Last year, the fest programmed the Oscar-winning live action short “The Singers,” Oscar-nominated live action short “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” Oscar-nominated documentary short “The Devil Is Busy” and the Oscar-nominated animated shorts “Forevergreen” and “Retirement Plan.”

Awards and cash prizes worth $25,000, including five Academy Award-qualifying awards, will be announced on June 28, with the Best of the Fest program screening on the final day, June 29.

Tuesday, March 31

Whoopi Goldberg Joins Animated Feature “Captain Zero: The Movie” as Executive Producer

Whoopi Goldberg has joined the producing team of “Captain Zero: The Movie,” an upcoming animated feature from Cutting Edge Animation. Goldberg will serve as executive producer alongside longtime collaborator Tom Leonardis under their One Ho Productions banner.

“Captain Zero” is a 2D animated action-drama that follows Haitian American teenager Xerxes Hughes as he “navigates life as a student, son, and friend while secretly living as a superhero – battling a dangerous cyber stalker and confronting the living embodiment of his own depression.”

The film features an ensemble voice cast including Keith David (“President Curtis”), Zolee Griggs (“Wu-Tang: An American Saga”), Gary LeRoi Gray (“The Fairly OddParents”), Angelica Ross (“American Horror Story”), and Z Cher-Aimé, with additional casting to be announced.

“Captain Zero: The Movie” expands on the material 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,” said Goldberg. “It is about not falling into an abyss of sadness and isolation and reminds us that we are not alone, and that whatever is happening, we can get through it. That resonated deeply with me, so I was thrilled to get involved.”

The producing team also includes Ross, Troy Pryor, Coty Galloway, and Cher-Aimé, who also wrote the feature, alongside Andre Engco. The film is currently in development.

Global Sales Launched for Art World Documentary “The Hammer”

Global sales have been launched on “The Hammer,” a documentary of the life and career of legendary auctioneer Simon de Pury. Sales will be handled by executive producer Catherine Quantschnigg. 

Directed by Simon Wallon, “The Hammer” will give audiences a rare glimpse into de Pury’s life, focusing on his journey from managing private collections to leading auction houses like Sotheby’s. The film features contemporary artists including Marina Abramović, Jeff Koons and Chloe Wise. 

“Simon de Pury has long been a singular figure in the art world, but this film reveals the man behind the myth. In these uncertain and unstable times, art remains a powerful unifier and ‘The Hammer’ offers both insight and entertainment. We’re excited to introduce the film to international buyers,” said Quantschnigg in a statement. 

“The Hammer” is co-financed and co-produced by Aleksey Ageyev, Simon Wallon of Kiss & Kill, Julia and Victoria Zayceva of Forma Pro (Latvia), Asya Nikolaeva of On a Whim Films, Mike and Tanya Ovcharenko of Lazy Mike Gallery, David Unger of Artist International Group and Daniel Braun of Submarine Entertainment, alongside Black Square Magazine. 

Monday, March 30

Film Independent Unveils 2026 Screenwriting Lab Fellows, Awards $25,000 Climate Grant

Film Independent has named seven fellows for its 2026 Screenwriting Lab, with the annual program set to launch April 6, the organization announced Monday.

Selected writers Andrés Pérez-Duarte, Emma He, Maddie McCann, Sam Osborn, Rammy Park, Alissa Torvinen and Alejandra Vasquez will take part in the intensive lab, now in its 27th year, which focuses on developing fiction feature screenplays through individualized mentorship and workshops.

“We’re so excited to support this outstanding cohort of writers who approach their work with nuance and creativity,” said Dea Vazquez, associate director of fiction programs.

Creative advisors for the 2026 lab include Linda Yvette Chávez, Phil Hay, Javier Fuentes-León, Matt Manfredi and Robin Swicord, alongside a roster of guest speakers. Among them is HIKARI, who previously developed her debut feature in the lab, following in the footsteps of alumni like Chloé Zhao and Andrew Ahn.

In addition, Torvinen has been awarded the second annual Climate Entertainment Development Grant, a $25,000 prize presented in partnership with Plot Shift Media. The grant supports Torvinen’s feature “Extinction of the Badger Duck,” a project centered on the rediscovery of a mythic bird and the frenzy it sparks.

The Screenwriting Lab has served as a launching pad for notable indie projects, including recent festival titles and award-winning features. The program is part of Film Independent’s broader Artist Development initiatives, which aim to support emerging filmmakers through labs, mentorship and grants.

Film Independent produces the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards and has spent more than four decades championing independent storytelling.