Manny the Movie Guy's Must-See Picks at Palm Springs International ShortFest 2026

Palm Springs is buzzing this week with the return of the Palm Springs International ShortFest (June 23–29, 2026), the largest short film festival in North America. Festivalgoers are diving into hundreds of films from around the world, and two titles stand out as absolute must-sees. One is a tender, poetic coming-of-age story from Manila. The other is a history-making co-production from Bangladesh and the Philippines that just triumphed at Cannes.

Here are my top recommendations — two films that celebrate resistance, identity, and the power of storytelling in under 30 minutes each.

"Honey, My Love, So Sweet" – A Heartfelt Filipino Coming-of-Age Tale

Filipino filmmaker JT Trinidad delivers Honey, My Love, So Sweet, a beautiful 20-minute drama set in 2000s urban Manila. At its heart is young Life, a genderqueer child navigating questions of identity and the first pangs of heartbreak in a world that doesn't always make space for them.

Trinidad shot the film inside Manila’s historic pre-war Times Theater, where the building’s beautiful decay becomes almost a character itself. As the director explains, “When something is in decay, something alive also contends in these forms of decay. These forms of life are an indication of resistance amidst decay.”

The film’s most quietly devastating scene — a haircut between Life and his mother Martha — has moved audiences from Manila to Berlin. Trinidad praises his young lead Kian and actress Mina Cruz for their natural chemistry: “Kian is so good. I just remember asking him to cry. And Mina Cruz — she and Kian naturally played as mother and son during our entire production.”

This is essential viewing during Pride Month and Filipino History Month. Catch Honey, My Love, So Sweet on Friday, June 26 at 3:00 PM in the Friends Like These program at Festival Theaters 6. It’s a California Premiere you won’t want to miss.

"Ali" – A Historic Bangladesh-Philippines Co-Production Fresh from Cannes

Then there’s Ali, directed by Adnan Al Rajeev — the first-ever Bangladesh-Philippines co-production to hit Palm Springs after making waves at Cannes. This 15-minute gem earned a Special Jury Mention in the official Short Film Competition, marking the first time a Bangladeshi film competed there.

In a coastal town where women are not allowed to sing, teenager Ali joins a singing competition for a shot at a better life in the city — all while hiding his true voice in a haunting, sinister way. Adnan describes it powerfully: “Ali talks about resistance. Ali talks about voice. Ali is basically a film which I felt like giving as a gift to the people who are marginalized and who actually can’t speak up.”

The film’s extraordinary sound design (handled in Philippine post-production) carries the emotional weight with no traditional music. “I don’t want to use any kind of music. The sound is my music. The whole space is my music. The nature is my music,” says the director.

When Cannes called, Adnan nearly missed the announcement — but the jury praised the voice and cinematography that make Ali so unforgettable. It screens on Saturday, June 26 at 2:30 PM in the Days of Youth program. Adnan couldn’t join us in person, but his film speaks volumes.

Why These Shorts Matter at ShortFest 2026

These two films showcase exactly why short form storytelling is thriving. From Manila’s decaying theaters to Bangladesh’s coastal towns, they explore universal themes of identity, resistance, and finding your voice — all with intimate, cinematic power.

ShortFest continues through June 29 with over 300 films from 71 countries. Whether you’re local in the Coachella Valley or planning a desert film getaway, grab tickets and support these bold voices.

This is Palm Springs ShortFest at its absolute best. Two films. Two countries. Stories that linger long after the credits roll.

I’m Manny the Movie Guy — see you at the screenings!

Tickets and full schedule available at psfilmfest.org/shortfest. For more exclusive interviews, reviews, and entertainment coverage, follow Manny the Movie Guy on mannythemovieguy.com, YouTube, Instagram (@mannymovies), and at NBCPalmSprings.com.