HollyShorts is an organization devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, advancing the careers of filmmakers through screenings, networking events, and various panel and forums. The Academy Qualifying HollyShorts Film festival showcases the top short films produced 40- minutes or less.
HollyShorts Film Festival History:
The inaugural HollyShorts Film Festival took place at The Space Theatre in Hollywood August 2005 and featured 23 short films from the U.S., UK, Poland, Canada and Thailand. The 2nd annual HollyShorts Film Festival took place at Cinespace in Hollywood, CA and featured 53 of the best short films from around the world. 13 different countries were represented. The third annual HollyShorts Film Festival took place August 10-12, 2007, drawing over $26,000 in prizes awarded. The festival featured three screening venues. Best Short film honors went to “Songbird” Directed by John Thompson. Thompson was awarded a one week audio rental package courtesy of Action Audio and Visual, featuring sound and communications equipment rentals to utilize for his next film project. The festival featured Actor Adrian Grenier’s short film “Euthanasia,” a DJ performance from the legendary hip hop DJ Biz Markie and 57 short films in competition; three days of screenings, parties, insightful panels along with a slew of networking platforms for HollyShorts participants. The 2007 HollyShorts Film Festival included the following partners: Ourstage.com, h Magazine, Showbiz Software Stores, Action Audio and Visual, Si-Mi.com, Stash DVD Magazine, UCLA Extension Department of Entertainment Studies, Dreamhouse Ensemble, LA One Stop, LBN E lert, Indiepix, Breakyourself, Choice Hospitality, Film Radar, Shortend Magazine, Sand Jewelry by Therese and Vice Hollywood.
The 4th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival took place August 7-10, 2008 in Hollywood with top honors of Best Short Film going to “Bloom” directed Lance Larson. Larson was awarded $2000 VFX package courtesy of Clifton Post for his next project. The Best Student Short honors went to David Jibladze, for his short film “Beholden.” Jibladze took home a 5-day HVX-200, HD Camera rental package courtesy of Martini Crew Booking. Over $25,000 in prizes were awarded.
The 5th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival took place August 6-13 at the DGA and Laemmle’s Sunset 5 Theatre in Hollywood with top honors of Best Short Film going to “La Petite Lilia,” Directed by Reda Mustafa. Mustafa took home a prize package from Clifton Production Services which included a RED ONE digital cinema package valued up to $5,000.00, while Johnny Gill took home a $10,000 cash prize for the Haydenfilms Online Film Festival contest for his short film “My Turtle’s Name is Dudley.” For more information, visit www.hollyshorts.com.
The 6th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival® took place August 5-12, 2010 in Hollywood and featured a major opening night reception, week-long screenings of short films and feature films in Hollywood, high level industry panels, keynotes, awards and receptions for the community and filmmakers. Grand prizes were awarded for Best Short and Best Director courtesy of Company 3 valued at $20,000. Openfilm also sponsored the festival and screened their top 5 finalists for their $250,000 Get It Made Competition, at the fest. James Caan attended the opening night ceremonies and named the finalists.
The 7th Annual HSFF took place August 11-18th in Hollywood. HSFF Alumni include Josh Brolin, Kirsten Dunst, Demi Moore, Darren Lew, David Arquette, Jessica Biel, Malcolm Barrett, Carter Smith, Jason Biggs, David Pryor, Jimmy Jean Louis, Paula Garces, Adrian Grenier, David Lynch, Paul Haggis, Bragi Schut, David Weinstein, William Olssen, Alex Ferrari, Larry Hankin, Lance Larson, John Thompson, Nick Carmen, Scott Porter, Joel David Moore, Mary Pat Bentel, Denis Hennelly, Richard Riehle, and many, many other great filmmakers and actors.
Continuing the tradition of growth, the 8th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival opened at the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd to over 900 guests. The evening was capped off by the HollyShorts Visionary Award being given to Joe Carnahan.
The fest took place all week at the Chinese Theatre and concluded with over $50,000 in prizes and awards being given out to winners selected out of 341 projects in competition. Highlights include:
The 8th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival (www.hollyshorts.com) wrapped with a standing room only awards ceremony at Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. The ceremony was hosted by Amy Paffrath, host of MTV’s Jersey Shore After Hours. The HollyShorts Best Overall Short Film prize, which wins a $10,000 in post production and finishing services package from Company 3 went to “ASAD”. Director Bryan Buckley was on hand to accept. The HollyShorts Best Director Award which wins a $10,000 post production and finishing services package from Company 3, went to Grainger David for his short film “The Chair.” Best Documentary Short went to Stephanie Butler’s “Bo.” The Method Studios Best VFX Award went to “The Wheel” by John Roberts. Igor Aleksov took home the Best International Short prize for “Episodizt.” Best Animation Short went to“Luminaris” by Juan Pablo Zaramella and Best Student film went to Dreamland directed by Alla Volkova, her AFI thesis project. The 8th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival had the most attendance in the festival’s history. Highlights include an opening night ceremony at the history Chinese Theatre that drew nearly 1,000 attendees and fest screenings, panels and post receptions taking place in venues throughout Hollywood during the entire week. Each HollyShorts 2012 winner receives a 1st look distribution deal with the ShortsHD television channel.
HSFF awards prizes from sponsors Kodak, Panavision, Klio Studios, Roe Virtual Studio, 88th street, Alta global media, BeCine, The Camera Division, Jungle Software, color space, Stage 32, and many others! Awards go to over 25+ categories including Best Short (Academy Qualifying), Best Live Action (Academy Qualifying) Best Director, Best Animation (Academy Qualifying), Best Doc (Academy Qualifying) Best Cinematography, Best Music Video, etc. Distribution opportunities available for winners via Bitpix, Dust, Alter, Stampede, and Indieflix. Industry attendees at the 2023 edition included programmers from TriBeCa, Cleveland, Newport Beach, and others!
All winners receive an offer to be on our exclusive platform Bitpixtv.com.
(*Categories/Amounts subject to change*)
By submitting (uploading & purchasing a submission to festival), your project to HollyShorts Film Festival, you acknowledge that you are not eligible for a refund. Films and videos submitted to the Festival will be considered for competitive categories. Oscar nominated films may be submitted for screening but not in the competitive categories. There are no refunds for double submissions or submissions that are not accepted. If you have double submitted, you will receive a credit for another submission. No refunds will be given for any submission that asks to withdraw, regardless of reason. By submitting your film for consideration for the 20th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival, you agree for HollyShorts to screen your short film if it is an official selection for this year's festival and are obligated to your commitment. All films with screen on DCP unless otherwise mentioned. Simple DCP is our DCP vendor.
**Please note that by submitting your film, being accepted and submitting your DCP to screen- you are confirming that HollyShorts can screen your film, regardless of another festival's acceptance and are bound by these terms and conditions.**
