Palm Springs International Film Society

What Palm Springs International Film Society does

Palm Springs International Film Society (PSIFS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1990 in Palm Springs, California, that operates two anchor annual film festivals — the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) each January and Palm Springs International ShortFest each June — alongside a star-studded Film Awards Gala and year-round educational and community programs. The PSIFF programs 168 films from 72 countries in a typical edition, including 44 International Feature Film Oscar submissions and 53 premieres, while ShortFest is an Oscar-qualifying event (since 1996) processing 5,500+ annual filmmaker submissions and presenting 300+ selected shorts to 25,000+ attendees, generating 100+ Oscar nominations for ShortFest films since 1996.

The organization's core products are its festivals, the Film Awards ceremony and corresponding high-value table sales (General through $100,000 Legacy Tables), year-round membership subscriptions, educational initiatives (Filmmaker Bootcamp, Student Screening Day, Filmmaker in the Classroom, Curator Fellowship, Internships), ShortFest Forum panels, and community programs (Films in the Gardens, Cocktail Cinema). Underlying technology is a festival operations platform comprising online ticketing, multi-tier pass management, and box-office infrastructure, with no proprietary AI/ML components disclosed. Marketing and distribution span a direct website (psfilmfest.org), Constant Contact email, Facebook/X/Instagram/YouTube, earned media partnerships with Variety/Deadline/Hollywood Reporter/Desert Sun/KESQ, and on-site box offices at venues including the Palm Springs Convention Center and Richards Center for the Arts.

PSIFS generates revenue across six streams: festival ticket and pass sales (Benefactor through Student tiers), annual Film Society memberships (subscription), multi-platform corporate sponsorship (Title/Presenting/Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze/Supporting), tax-deductible donations (Tax ID 95-1641910), merchandise through Destination PSP, and Film Awards table/seat licenses. Core sponsors include ARCO (Title), Kering (Presenting sponsor of Film Awards), Cadillac (Official Vehicle), Hilton Palm Springs, Tito's Vodka, Diageo, and supporting foundations including the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands and Anderson Children's Foundation. Customer segments span film enthusiasts, independent filmmakers seeking Oscar-qualifying exposure, Hollywood talent and industry professionals attending awards-season events, Coachella Valley K-12 and university students, and corporate brand partners. The organization is governed by a board chaired by Nachhattar Singh Chandi with Executive Director Toni Merrihew and Managing Director Rhea Woodson leading a 101-250 person staff supplemented by 600+ annual volunteers.

Name

Palm Springs International Film Society

Legal name

Palm Springs International Film Society

Website

https://psfilmfest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Palm Springs International Film Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that produces the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival and ShortFest, the star-studded Film Awards Gala, and year-round educational and community programs serving film enthusiasts, independent filmmakers, Hollywood talent, Coachella Valley students, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Campus & Educational Screenings (Universities, Schools) (MPADAKAI)

Keywords

• Film festival events
• Short film market
• Film awards ceremony
• Film education programs
• Community film screenings

Headquarters

HQ city

Palm Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Festival Tickets and Passes: Revenue from selling individual screening tickets and festival passes at various tier levels (Benefactor, Premiere, Concierge, Platinum, 5-Day, Sponsor, Guest, Industry, Media, Student passes)
2. Film Society Memberships: Annual memberships at various levels providing benefits including pre-release screenings, early ticket access, and festival discounts
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Multi-platform sponsorship opportunities at various levels (Title, Presenting, Platinum, Gold, Premiere, Silver, Bronze, Supporting) providing brand visibility and audience access
4. Tax-Deductible Donations: Charitable contributions as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID: 95-1641910)
5. Festival Merchandise: Sale of festival merchandise including hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, mugs, and greeting cards through Destination PSP partner
6. Film Awards Tables and Seats: High-value table and seat sales for the star-studded Film Awards Gala, ranging from General Level to Legacy Table at $100,000

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Palm Springs International Film Society (PSIFS) operates two major annual film festivals — the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) in January and the Palm Springs International ShortFest in June — along with the star-studded Film Awards Gala. It runs year-round educational programs for students and filmmakers, community screening events, an annual Film Society membership program, and a multi-tier sponsorship/partnership program.

Product overview

Palm Springs International Film Society operates two major annual film festivals: the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) held each January featuring international cinema and Academy Award-submitted films, and Palm Springs International ShortFest held each June, which is the largest short film festival and market in North America. The organization also presents the annual Film Awards ceremony, year-round education programs including Student Screening Day, Filmmaker Bootcamp, and the ShortFest Curator Fellowship, community events such as Films in the Gardens and Community Spotlight Screenings, and offers Film Society membership and sponsorship programs. The society functions as a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating and promoting film through education and cross-cultural awareness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) Annual international film festival held in January featuring 168 films from 72 countries including 44 International Feature Film Oscar submissions, premieres, Talking Pictures, BIFF Panels, and Family Day events. Targeted at film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and industry professionals.
• Palm Springs International ShortFest Annual short film festival and market held in June, the largest in North America, accepting over 5,500 filmmaker submissions annually and presenting more than 300 selected films. Oscar-qualifying event in juried categories since 1996. Targeted at independent filmmakers, short film audiences, and industry professionals.
• Film Awards Gala Star-studded annual awards ceremony honoring outstanding performances and achievements in cinema, held in January at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Features red-carpet arrivals, celebrity presenters, and high-value table/seat packages ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. Targeted at Hollywood talent, industry professionals, and corporate sponsors.
• Film Society Membership Program Annual membership program offering pre-release film screenings, Early Bird Box Office access, ticket discounts on festival passes, year-round member-only screenings, and Member Preview Night. Targeted at film enthusiasts and local supporters.
• Festival Passes Tiered annual festival pass product (Benefactor, Premiere, Concierge, Platinum, 5-Day, Sponsor, Guest, Industry, Media, Student) providing unlimited access to regular screenings, Talking Pictures, BIFF Panels, and Family Day events. Targeted at film festival attendees seeking bundled access.
• Education Programs Year-round educational programs including Student Screening Day, Filmmakers in the Classroom, Youth & Local Juries, Internships, Curator Fellowship (ages 18-25), and Filmmaker Bootcamp for Coachella Valley high school students. Targeted at students, young adults, and emerging filmmakers.
• Community Events Program Free year-round community film events including Films in the Gardens (outdoor series at Sunnylands), Cocktail Cinema (in partnership with Palm Springs Art Museum), and Community Spotlight Screenings. Targeted at local Palm Springs and Coachella Valley residents.
• ShortFest Forum Educational component of ShortFest featuring panels, lectures, intimate conversations, and one-on-one meetings with working industry professionals. Targeted at filmmakers and industry professionals attending ShortFest.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ Oscar nominations from ShortFest films since 1996
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• DeadlinecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 December 2025Media partner for Book to Screen program at 2026 Palm Springs Film Festival, featuring filmmaker conversations about literary adaptations including Wicked: For Good, Nuremberg, and Train Dreams.
• KeringflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Palm Springs International Film Awards. Kering is a luxury goods company that supports the prestigious awards ceremony through this flagship partnership.
• CadillaccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Vehicle sponsor of the Film Awards and Festival. Provides vehicle credentials and transportation services for festival events and celebrity arrivals.
• ARCOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle Sponsor of Palm Springs International Film Festival. Provides major funding support and brand visibility at festival events.
• Palm Springs Surf ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor supporting the festival's financial foundation.
• Lindeman AssociatescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor providing financial support for festival operations.
• Hilton Palm Springs (Official Host Hotel)supportingOthersOfficial Host Hotel providing accommodation for festival guests, talent, and industry attendees.
• Tito's Vodka (Official Vodka)supportingOthersOfficial vodka purveyor providing spirits for Film Awards events and galas.
• Diageo (Official Spirits)supportingOthersOfficial spirits partner providing alcoholic beverages for festival events.
• City of Palm SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner providing significant support for festival operations and tourism promotion.
• Visit Greater Palm SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial tourism promotion partner helping drive visitor attendance to the festival and Palm Springs region.
• VarietysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor and media partner providing editorial coverage and industry visibility for the festival.
• German Film OfficesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational sponsor promoting German cinema and supporting Country Focus programming at the festival.
• Telefilm CanadasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational sponsor promoting Canadian cinema at the festival.
• Israel Film FundsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational sponsor supporting Israeli film representation at the festival.
• Brazil Consulate GeneralsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational sponsor promoting Brazilian cinema and culture at the festival.
• Annenberg Foundation Trust - SunnylandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting foundation providing major financial support and hosting Films in the Gardens outdoor screening series.
• Riverside County Office of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner supporting Filmmaker Bootcamp and youth educational programs in Coachella Valley schools.
• Destination PSP (Official Merch Partner)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial merchandise partner operating the festival store for hoodies, hats, mugs, and other branded merchandise.
• Palm Springs Art MuseumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting Cocktail Cinema screenings and the Annenberg Theater venue (430 seats) for festival screenings.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Cannes Film Festival: Premier global film festival with comparable prestige and Oscar-campaign relevance but operating in France with a different organizational and geographic structure than PSIFS.
• BFI London Film Festival: Major international film festival in a comparable non-profit (BFI) structure but operating in the UK rather than North America. Comparable in scale, prestige, and the breadth of its international programming.
• Venice Biennale / Venice Film Festival: Internationally renowned film festival at the Venice Biennale with similar prestige in the awards-season corridor. Comparable audience and filmmaker flywheel though based in Italy and structured as a cultural biennale.

Direct peers

• Sundance Institute / Sundance Film Festival: 501(c)(3) non-profit operator of the Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the US. Directly comparable as a peer non-profit film organization running a premier multi-day festival with awards-season significance and year-round programming.
• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): Among the most prestigious globally-attended film festivals and a major awards-season platform. Comparable in operating a multi-screen international festival with high-profile sponsorships and celebrity-driven awards positioning.
• Tribeca Film Festival: Major US film festival operated with a non-profit structure featuring independent film programming, celebrity-driven galas, and corporate sponsorship tiers closely analogous to PSIFF's FilmFest model.
• Telluride Film Festival: Boutique US film festival strategically positioned in early awards season alongside PSIFF and TIFF. Comparable in serving awards-campaign talent, screenings of Oscar contenders, and high-prestige sponsor relationships.
• Film at Lincoln Center / New York Film Festival: Non-profit parent of the New York Film Festival operating year-round repertory cinema, festivals, and educational programming. Closely comparable as a non-profit film society with membership program and educational mission analogous to PSIFS.
• SXSW (South by Southwest): Major US festival combining film, music, and technology with strong corporate sponsorship and celebrity attendance. Comparable audience profile and sponsor ecosystem though structurally broader than PSIFF.
• AFI Fest (American Film Institute): Annual festival in Los Angeles run by the American Film Institute as part of its year-round educational programming. Closely comparable in combining a multi-day international film festival with year-round education and exhibition activities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/psfilmfest
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PalmSpringsFilmFest
• Facebookfacebook.com/PalmSpringsFilmFestival
• Instagraminstagram.com/psfilmfest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/psiff

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Palm Springs International Film Society