Something truly exciting is "popping" in Palm Springs, and it's more than just the aroma of fresh popcorn. The 31st annual Palm Springs International ShortFest continues its vibrant run this weekend, bringing together a diverse array of film writers, directors, and actors from across the world to celebrate the art of short-form cinema.

NBC Palm Springs' Brett Rosen had the opportunity to speak with Haley Marie, a 36-year-old talent involved in over a dozen different capacities at the festival. Marie, whose short film "The True Story" marks her directorial debut, passionately articulated the core essence of filmmaking. "Filmmaking is, you can't do it alone," she stated. "As I wrote, directed, and starred my film, and what I really learned, and what I've learned as a director, is that making a film is community. You cannot do it alone. And so, one of the greatest things about this festival is that it helps build out that community."

Marie's film, "The True Story," aims to connect with a unique demographic. She describes it as a "coming-of-age tale" that explores how "as you get older, the decisions more and more weight." She elaborates, "We're coming of age in a new way" at later stages of life, challenging the conventional notion of adolescence as the sole period of self-discovery.

For Marie, the Palm Springs International ShortFest holds a profound significance beyond just screenings. She describes the unique atmosphere that allows creators to learn from one another, stating, "The community here is incredible. I've made friends from across the world in the last, I think, today." This collaborative environment is precisely what makes the festival a vital experience for up-and-coming filmmakers.

As this marks Haley Marie's first foray into directing, she is hopeful that the exposure and connections gained at ShortFest will serve as a crucial stepping stone for future projects. "There's no way around the fact that now that I've made my first film as a director, I will get to show that as a calling card for my next short, and eventually my feature, it can lead to those things, of course," she expressed.

The Palm Springs International ShortFest, ongoing this weekend, continues to underscore its importance as a platform for discovery, networking, and the celebration of the collaborative spirit inherent in filmmaking. For NBC Palm Springs, I'm Brett Rosen.

ShortFest Celebrates Filmmaking Community in Palm Springs