The Pacific Coast International Short Film Festival (PCISFF) is an annual celebration of bold, creative, and thought-provoking short films from around the world. Based in Southern California and proudly supported by the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, the festival was founded with a clear mission: to champion the power of short-form cinema as an art form in its own right.
We focus exclusively on films under 15 minutes, offering a platform for emerging and established filmmakers who are pushing the boundaries of storytelling, form, and style. From narrative fiction and documentaries to animation and experimental work, PCISFF seeks out voices that reflect diversity, originality, and artistic courage.
What sets us apart is our strong commitment to preservation and legacy. Every selected film becomes part of a growing digital archive, curated to ensure that unique, independent visions are not only seen — but remembered. This archive is housed and maintained by our partner foundation, and serves as a cultural record for future generations of artists, students, and audiences.
Each year, the festival presents awards including Best of the Fest, Judges’ Favorite, and Audience Favorite, honoring excellence in creativity, craft, and emotional impact. Beyond the awards, PCISFF is about building community — connecting filmmakers with audiences, creating space for discovery, and encouraging dialogue through film.
With our roots in the Pacific Coast arts scene and our reach growing globally, PCISFF continues to evolve as a hub for cinematic expression, storytelling innovation, and creative exchange.