ShortFest Artists In Residence at Acme House Company

Storytellers Gather To Inspire And Be Inspired

This year Acme House Company Vacation Rentals teamed up with The Palm Springs Film Society to create the “Artists in Residence” program supporting filmmakers attending the Palm Springs International ShortFest. Eleven storytellers from around the world were granted seven nights of housing in three shared Palm Springs Luxury Vacation Homes managed by Acme House Company. This is just one of the many ways that Acme connects the dots between the arts and the Palm Springs Hospitality industry.

ShortFest Artists in Residence mixer at Lions Gate Estate | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

This group of creatives started out as complete strangers from all different parts of the world. Through a series of breakfasts, poolside chat sessions, dinner parties and cocktail soirées at Acme’s Vacation Home Rentals (and of course lots of movie screenings), these eleven filmmakers formed a creative bond - building  a true sense of community.

ShortFest Artists in Residence mixer at Lions Gate Estate | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

ShortFest Artists in Residence mixer at Lions Gate Estate | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

“There is a lot of magic that comes from relaxing in the Palm Springs sunshine with a group of like minded people,” explained John-Patrick, the Brand Specialist for Acme House Company.

ShortFest Artists in Residence Katherine Propper, Jorge Camarotti, Rhys Mitchell | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

ShortFest Artists in Residence Jon Olav Stokke, Jian Luo and Erin Brown Thomas | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

“We were thrilled when JP approached us about the Artists in Residence program. An opportunity like this is beneficial to filmmakers in all levels of their trajectories but especially for those who are in the early stages of their careers. To connect and learn with and from fellow creatives in a space designed to help them network is a great opportunity. I heard from the Residents that it felt like summer camp and that they were leaving Palm Springs with new life-long friends and collaborators thanks to the program.”

– Lily Rodriguez, Artistic Director of the Palm Springs Film Society

Check out pictures of the Artists at their fabulous Acme Vacation Homes below!

Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers, Jorge Camarotti, Rhys Mitchell, Erin Brown Thomas at Sputnik House | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

“I was already happy to have a place to stay, but then discovering how wonderful the house was made it a dream come true. The house was perfect. It was an oasis of calm within the frenzyness of festival. The Artists in Residence program created a family within the festival, and in our house we had a real camaraderie, helping each other with our pitches, encouraging everyone's screening.”

– Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers, Director of Juste Moi Et Toi

Erin Brown Thomas, Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers, Rhys Mitchell, Jorge Camarotti at Sputnik House | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

“Mornings in that bathroom were magical because the sun came in through the window and created a halo effect over the tub. It was gorgeous and made me feel like a queen! In addition to providing lodging (making my stay in Palm Springs possible), the Artists in Residence program helped me form deeper connections with other filmmakers - and specifically the kind of filmmakers I wanted to meet.”

– Erin Brown Thomas, Director of But First…

Rhys Mitchell, Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers, Erin Brown Thomas, Jorge Camarotti at Sputnik House | Photo: Nathan Cox Courtesy of Acme House Company

A fun and immersive concept house where iconic mid-century architecture and classic Palm Springs style meet the post-Sputnik pop culture of the 1950s and 60s.

See Pictures of Sputnik House

Jon Olav Stokke, Katherine Propper, Saim Sadiq, Jian Luo at The Kirk Douglas House | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

“The Kirk Douglas House is an amazing house, my favorite part was the calm and relaxing atmosphere the house inspires, from the moment you walk through the door. The pictures of Kirk Douglas on the set of Spartacus don't hurt either!The Artists in Residence program really enables you to socialize and gets you out of your comfort zone.”

– Jon Olav Stokke, Director, Writer & Producer of Our Father’s Cabin

Saim Sadiq, Jon Olav Stokke, Katherine Propper, Jian Luo at The Kirk Douglas House | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

“My favorite part of the Kirk Douglas House was the backyard. I loved swimming in the pool and staring up at the palm trees. I met new filmmaker friends I hope to keep in touch with for life! The experience was magical!”

– Katherine Propper - Director, Writer & Producer of Street Flame

Saim Sadiq, Jian Luo, Jon Olav Stokke, Katherine Propper at The Kirk Douglas House | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Stunning retro interior design, iconic mid-century architecture, and strong ties to the glamour of old Hollywood. 

See Pictures of The Kirk Douglas House

Thiago Da Dalt, Brent Alan Henry, Aimiende Negbenebor Sela at Sunrise Getaway | Photo: Andrew Cabral courtesy of Acme House Company

“The Artists in Residence program gave me the opportunity to come to the festival and immerse myself in everything it had to offer - networking with fellow filmmakers as well as industry professionals, attend informative forums and panels, and relax in the downtime.”

- Brent Alan Henry, Writer & Co-Producer of Blink

Thiago Da Dalt, Aimiende Negbenebor Sela, Brent Alan Henry at Sunrise Getaway | Photo: Andrew Cabral courtesy of Acme House Company

Thiago Da Dalt, Brent Alan Henry, Aimiende Negbenebor Sela at Sunrise Getaway | Photo: Andrew Cabral courtesy of Acme House Company

Clean lines, an open concept floor plan and beautiful period-inspired art and furnishings that capture the Palm Springs vibe of yesteryear while being very "Next Century" at the same time.

See Pictures of Sunrise Getaway

About The ShortFest

The Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films takes place across seven days each June, showing more than 350 short films every year, and hosting a Short Film Market with over 3,000 new short films annually. It also presents a three-day program of seminars, master classes, panels and roundtable discussions with free admission for all filmmaking and industry guests. Acme House Company participates in the Festival as a Platinum Sponsor providing luxury accommodations for filmmakers, moviegoers and festival sponsors.

An AMPAS qualifying Festival, the ShortFest has hosted 97 short films in its 19-year history that went on to secure Oscar nominations in the short film categories.

The Festival of Short Films is a spin-off a of the Palm Springs International Film Festival which takes place each January. Acme House Company is proud to sponsor both Festivals at the Platinum Level.

Palm Springs International Film Festival Specials

ABOUT THE WRITER:  Modern Mary is a traveling gadabout who adores everything Palm Springs – from the architecture and design to the art, fashion and lifestyle.  A social butterfly in the most modern sense – Mary enjoys swanky cocktail parties, gallery openings, music festivals, shopping and anything pink or yellow. She is a frequent contributor to the Acme Blog –  keeping our readers up to speed on who is staying at our fab fab vacation rental homes and what’s going on in Greater Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities of the Coachella Valley.  Modern Mary loves big floppy hats, Jackie O sunglasses and prefers sensible shoes over back-breaking high heels.

ABOUT ACME HOUSE COMPANY:  Acme manages Luxury Vacation Rental Homes & Condos in Greater Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities, catering to those looking to travel to the world-renowned destination for the season, week-long stays and extended weekends. Fabulous pool homes for when you and your peeps want some together time. Visit Acme’s Website to explore more Palm Springs Vacation Rental Homes.

Read the Condé Nast Traveler article that included Acme House Company on their list of Top 10 Vacation Rental Managers to Trust Worldwide.  Palm Springs Life Magazine’s Reader Survey named Acme House Company the Best of the Best in Vacation Home Rentals. We manage our Palm Springs Vacation Home Rentals like 5-Star Resorts. Just like home but way better.

Published on Thursday, August 1, 2019