Exciting News from PAIFF: Roswell Shorts Festival Opens Call for Entries
- deweypaul
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 24
We’re excited to announce the launch of Roswell Shorts, a brand-new international short indie film festival brought to you by the team behind the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF). The call for entries is officially open from July 15th through September 1st, and we can’t wait to see what the global film community brings to the table.
Roswell Shorts will take place September 26th and 27th in Roswell, New Mexico, a town known for its mystery, charm, folklore culture, and creative spirit. This new festival focuses entirely on short films, ranging from one minute to one hour in length. All genres are welcome. The event will feature screenings, filmmaker Q&As, networking opportunities, a curated keynote on short-form storytelling, and an awards ceremony to highlight the best in independent cinema.
The festival also embraces innovation. Projects that use artificial intelligence tools in the creative process are encouraged to submit and will be included in thoughtful discussions around the future of filmmaking.
As the producers of PAIFF, we’re bringing everything we’ve learned from building an international independent-driven festival into this new venture. We believe in putting filmmakers first, creating meaningful partnerships, and helping great stories find their audience. Roswell Shorts will carry on that tradition with a fresh focus on short-form content in one of the most unique locations in the United States.
Here’s a special bonus. If you submit a qualifying project to PAIFF, you’ll receive a free entry waiver for Roswell Shorts. The same goes in reverse. We want to support creators by making it easier to share their work at both events.
To find out more and submit your film through our FilmFreeway portal, visit roswell-shorts.com. The FAQ page has everything you need to know, including eligibility, formats, and submission tips.
Roswell Shorts is more than a festival. It’s a celebration of creativity, curiosity, and the power of storytelling in its most compact and compelling form. Join us this fall and be part of something special.
An official press release is coming soon.
UPDATE July 24, 2025: [Press Release] New Indie Film Festival Launches in Roswell, New Mexico
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Dewey Paul Moffitt
Director, Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival | Roswell Shorts
General Inquiries: info@roswellshorts.com
Website: www.roswellshorts.com
PAIFF Launches Roswell Shorts, a Bold, New International Indie Festival Celebrating Short-Form Storytelling
ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO — July 24, 2025 — The team behind the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF) is proud to announce the launch of Roswell Shorts, a new international indie film festival dedicated exclusively to short films. The inaugural edition will take place September 26–27, 2025, in Roswell, New Mexico, and the official call for entries is open now through September 1, 2025.
From filmmakers around the world and in every genre, Roswell Shorts accepts submissions with runtimes from one minute to one hour. The festival features public screenings, filmmaker Q&As, networking events, curated discussions, and an awards ceremony. A special emphasis will be placed on the future of short-form storytelling, including projects developed using AI and other emerging creative technologies.
Building on the success of PAIFF—an IMDb-qualifying, destination-style festival near Tulum, Mexico—Roswell Shorts brings the same filmmaker-first philosophy to a new region. With years of experience in international festival programming, the PAIFF team offers a fresh opportunity for indie filmmakers to connect with new audiences in America’s most legendarily imaginative town.
“I’ve been a frequent visitor to Roswell for years and have developed a deep appreciation for its artistic spirit and welcoming community,” said Dewey Paul Moffitt, Festival Director. “Through my work in local and regional festival production, I saw an opportunity to create something meaningful in this town: an indie shorts festival in a cinematic landscape with a thriving creative community. It came together quite organically.”
Filmmakers who submit to Roswell Shorts will receive a free entry waiver for PAIFF and vice versa, making it easier for creators to gain exposure across both film festivals.
For complete submission guidelines, eligibility, and festival details, visit www.roswellshorts.com. The FAQ section outlines everything filmmakers need to know about entering the inaugural competition.
Roswell Shorts will convene September 26–27, 2025, nestled between the National Championship Air Races and the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, offering an unforgettable cultural experience for film lovers and creators alike.
Screening venues and event locations will be revealed in the coming weeks as the festival schedule comes together.
About Roswell Shorts:Roswell Shorts is an international indie film festival dedicated exclusively to short-form storytelling. Hosted in Roswell, New Mexico, the festival celebrates creativity across all genres and formats and includes a special emphasis on innovation in digital and AI-driven filmmaking.
About PAIFF:The Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF) is an IMDb-qualifying destination film festival held annually in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. Known for its welcoming environment, strong filmmaker community, and commitment to promoting independent voices, PAIFF has quickly grown into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events.
For more images or high-res versions, visit our media assets page here: https://www.roswellshorts.com/presskit
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