Shorts Block 1A - Inspiration from Around the World
A collection of World Class Short Films that Inspire and Enlighten.
10:00AM
Theater 1
Program Lineup:
(click film title to view info)
Shorts Block 1B - Life As We Know It
These coming-of-age, emotional dramas give us a powerful, cinematic glimpse into the lives of today's youth & young adults.
10:00AM
Theater 2
Program Lineup TBD:
(click film title to view info)
Shorts Block 2 - Social Awareness
A riveting selection of powerful short films that raise awareness and provoke change. Due to the subject matter, guest must be 18 or over to attend.
12:30PM
Theater 2
Program Lineup:
(click film title to view info)
#QUIPROQUO
Shorts Block 3 - Happy Hour
Grab a cocktail and join us for our annual block of fun & refreshing comedy shorts.
3PM
Theater 2
Program Lineup:
(click film title to view info)
Shorts Block 4 - Dramatic Visions
A collection of stunning internationally acclaimed dramas that push boundaries. Due to the subject matter, guest must be 18 or over to attend.
4:30PM
Theater 2
Program Lineup:
(click film title to view info)
Shorts Block 5 - Lights, Camera, Action
QPIFF's selection of Gold Winning action packed, edge of your seat thrillers. (Action/Mystery)
7:00PM
Theater 2
Program Lineup:
(click film title to view info)
Shorts Block 6 - Dark & Twisted
These dark & twisted tales are not for the weak of heart. Due to the subject matter, guest must be 18 or over to attend. (Horror/Thriller/Suspense)
9:30PM
Theater 2
Program Lineup:
(click film title to view info)
MUFFIN
Episodics Block
Our Episodics Block features a selection of innovative & award winning TV Pilots & Web Series from around the world.
2:10PM
Theater 3
(Mystery, Thriller)
Dir. E.B. Hughes / USA
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner Best Feature - Mystery/Thriller
10:00AM
Theater 3
A young couple go on a weekend getaway, to help fix their struggling relationship. Things soon go bad, when he discovers a videotape of a murder that occurred in the very same hotel room.
(Documentary, Environmental, Conservation)
Alex M. Azmi, Director
Michael Thau & Dan Watt, Producers
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner Best Short - Documentary, Best Director - Short Doc
11:50AM
Theater 1
This heartwarming, sometimes heart-wrenching story will draw you into a world; the likes of which you've never seen. A fascinating society of Gibbons and their Guardians in a Conservation Center. The film shows the leadership of a few women who, at the time of crisis and despite the personal cost, rose to face major challenges and save a conservation center.
(Comedy)
Dir. Alexander Kaminer/ USA
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner Best Feature - Comedy
12:00PM
Theater 3
What would you do when your own conscience that goes by the name of Jimmy the trickster makes you earn money using a miraculous app called LIFT that sets you on an ethereal journey where you'll overcome your own ego, find true love and finally realize your dream?
(Documentary, Social Awareness)
Dir. Trista Suke, Ellis Poleyko / Canada
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner Best Feature - Social Awareness
1:00PM
Theater 1
Director Trista Suke documents her experience struggling with alopecia universalis through an eccentric, scripted memoir. Interview segments featuring various people living with the hair loss condition are artfully tied into Suke’s story, shining light on mental health, society’s unachievable beauty standards and what it’s like to live as a bald women. All original music by Trista Suke.
(Documentary, Music)
Dir. Todd Howe / USA
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Royal Gem Diamond Winner
3:00PM
Theater 1
In August of 2009 singer William McCarthy’s younger brother James, in the midst of a lengthy incarceration on charges of attempted murder, was found dead of an apparent suicide inside Napa State Hospital. Just one week later, McCarthy’s band Pela imploded, leaving both him and band mate Eric Sanderson devastated, in financial ruin, and with a half-finished album that may never see the light of day.
RISE: The Story of Augustines chronicles the journey of two men who faced their demons, refused to fall and established a lifelong brotherhood as they struggled to finish their seminal debut record, all while trying to maintain their own sanity and pay tribute to James. McCarthy’s songwriting during the toughest year of his life would come to be known as his defining work. The album Rise Ye Sunken Ships stands as a testament both to the pain of loss and the celebration of life. The two resurfaced with a new name, Augustines and, together with drummer Robert Allen, who shepherded William and Eric through their darkest of times, rose up to become one of the most celebrated independent bands in the world.
This is a truly compelling story of struggle, perseverance, brotherhood and hope.
(Documentary, LGBTQ, Civil Rights)
Dir. Vlada Knowlton / USA
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner Best Feature - Documentary
4:40PM
Theater 3
In 2016 a group of Washington State families with transgender kids join the fight against the wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation sweeping through the nation and into their home state. With the help of a coalition of state lawmakers and civil rights activists, these families embark on an uncharted journey of fighting to protect and preserve their children's inalienable human rights and freedoms in this present-day civil rights movement.
(Drama, Experimental)
Dir. Gavin Michael Booth / Canada
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner - Best Experimental, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress,
& Best Cinematography
5:30PM
Theater 1
Shot in two true single takes, filmed simultaneously in two different parts of a city, Last Call, is a real time feature presented in split screen showcasing both ends of a wrong number phone call that has the potential to save a life.
(Drama, Romance, Foreign)
Dir. Alexandre Laugier / France
US Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner Best Feature - First-Time Filmmaker, Best Actress
6:30PM
Theater 3
Emma, 17, meets Thierry, 27, her new math teacher...
(Drama, Coming-of-Age)
Dir. Steven Heil / USA
West Coast Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner - Best Feature - First Time Filmmaker, Best Young Actress, Best Original Song
7:20PM
Theater 1
Three high school outcasts stick up for each other through good times and bad: one clashes with his Japanese father, one is being bullied because he is gay, and one is either delusional . . . or haunted.
(Mystery/Thriller, LGBTQ)
Dir. Scott J. Ramsey / USA
Palm Springs Premiere - QPIFF Gold Winner - Love is Love
8:30PM
Theater 3
No fantasy is too obscene at the masquerade balls hosted by Christian King, known to her guests as X. The monthly masked debauchery that takes place at her beachside estate is all fun and games until the arrival of an unexpected guest from Christian's past threatens to bring to light her darkest secret.
Due to the subject matter, guest must be 18 or over to attend.
(Drama, Thriller)
Dir. Jamie Noel / United Kingdom
QPIFF Gold Winner Best Feature - First Time Filmmaker, Best Editor, Best Producer
9:30PM
Theater 1
Lie Low follows a young man who, after witnessing a violent stabbing, escapes to the French countryside with his family. He must face demons of the past whilst demons of the present threaten to catch up to his family with tragic consequences.