The Palm SpringsInternational Festival of Short Films is abandoning its traditional August slotand will run this year from Sept 16-22 in Palm Springs.

Explaining thedecision in a statement, festival director Kevin McGuire said: 'We arelooking to offer greater educational opportunities for students and Septemberis a better month for schools to participate in the festival. It is also a morehospitable month for most locals and visitors.'

The festival isone of the few qualifying festivals for the Best Short Film Awards of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.