ShortFest Spotlight: Manny the Movie Guy Talks with Filmmakers Behind Two Buzzworthy Shorts at Palm Springs International ShortFest

From the desert to the big screen, the Palm Springs International ShortFest is once again celebrating the best in short filmmaking from around the world. This year’s edition is packed with fresh voices and bold stories, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with the creative teams behind two standout shorts that are making a real mark.

Short films pack big emotions—and the next wave of cinema is already here. Let’s dive into these two gems.

Last Man Up: Tension, Betrayal, and Housing Anxiety in One Wild Blowout

Screening this Thursday at 2 p.m. under the Social Animals program, Last Man Up is a high-stakes, tension-filled short about a group of friends navigating a shocking secret: a house foreclosure buried beneath one final blowout party.

Director and co-writer Hazel McKibbin nails what makes the film tick: “I think that tension and the subtext and all of that is what I love — and is why I wanted to shoot this film.”

Co-writer and co-star Robert R. Palmer (who plays Tai) brings the character straight from the heart. The story hits close to home amid today’s housing anxieties. As Hazel explains about Tai: “Tai is so worried about his future that he would prefer to just bury his head in the sand and lie to all his friends about it — even though it's a huge betrayal to them.”

Their advice for fellow filmmakers? Start from what speaks to you personally. Hazel adds a practical tip from the production: “Robert, the initial script had so many characters and I was like — take it down to three. Let's make it manageable. Let's make it shootable.”

This taut, emotionally charged drama is a must-see for anyone who loves stories that simmer with real-life pressure.

Multo: A Haunting Filipino Ghost Story Rooted in Personal History

Come Saturday at noon under the Beneath the Surface program for Multo—the Filipino word for “ghost.” Directed by Coleman Weimer, this mesmerizing short was shot on location at his actual childhood home in the Philippines, a house he hadn’t stepped foot in since first grade.

Weimer shared the visceral moment of return: “I hadn't been back since I was in first grade — and when I walked in, the smell of the house was the same.”

The film weaves together themes of Western cultural identity, colonial history, and the supernatural, drawing from his experiences as a missionary kid growing up in Southeast Asia. At its core, Multo is an invitation to examine the unseen layers beneath our everyday lives. As Weimer puts it: “I hope people feel the invitation to start thinking critically about the place they live and the environments that maybe they've accepted without realizing it.”

It’s a haunting, personal reflection that blends the supernatural with deeper questions of history and belonging—perfect for the “Beneath the Surface” slot.

Don’t Miss These at ShortFest!

- Last Man Up → Thursday at 2 p.m. (Social Animals)

- Multo → Saturday at noon (Beneath the Surface)

Two very different films, one unforgettable festival. Whether you’re drawn to raw interpersonal drama or atmospheric cultural ghost stories, these shorts showcase why ShortFest remains a premier launchpad for emerging talent.

For more exclusive interviews, reviews, and entertainment coverage, follow Manny the Movie Guy on mannythemovieguy.com, YouTube, Instagram (@mannymovies), and at NBCPalmSprings.com.

*Palm Springs International ShortFest runs June 23–29, 2026. For the full schedule and tickets, visit the official psfilmfest.org.