Taryn Stewart The PBS Short Film Festival Stories In Bloom

Published: July 14, 2023, 8 p.m.

The 2023 festival, themed “Stories in Bloom,” will feature 25 short-form independent films. These eye opening and uplifting stories centered around growth and creating new perspectives, celebrate identity, culture, family, society, and the environment.

Speak to Director of Audience Engagement at PBS, Taryn Jackson, for a Preview of this Year’s Films.

Since its inception in 2012, hundreds of films celebrating love, acceptance, family, strength, equality, friendship, loyalty and more have been presented under the festival’s banner.

The PBS Short Film Festival is part of a multiplatform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent filmmakers from across the country and amplify the voices of diverse content creators. The 2023 festival carries the tagline “Stories in Bloom” to highlight the impact of powerful storytelling.

Starting at midnight on Monday, July 10, audiences can watch and share all 25 films. In addition, a panel of five jury members will select their favorite film of the festival for the Juried Prize. Jury members are respected professionals in independent film and public media and were invited by PBS to participate.

Films featured in the PBS Short Film Festival have been selected and provided by 16 public media partners and PBS member stations. This year’s lineup includes films from Alabama Public Television, Austin PBS, Black Public Media, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Independent Television Service (ITVS), Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Maryland Public Television, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), POV, Reel South, Vision Maker Media, WHUT Howard University Television, World Channel, WQED (Pittsburgh), and WPSU Penn State.

Generating more than 12 million streams over the course of the festival’s history, the Webby Award-winning PBS Short Film Festival continues to be an engaging annual digital event.