Our latest Live Event on April 2023 was a real blast!!! 🎉 . Check out our pics above! 📷.
It was a thrilling showcase, discovering the newest and most innovative, independent films from around the world. With Q&A's and networking cocktails every day.

At HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST, we're committed to helping up-and-coming filmmakers promote their work to global audiences. Our mission is to screen the best independent films of all genres, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a part of this amazing event. We are committed to screening all the winning films from the main categories in our Live Showcase with over 70 films.

As a GOLD FilmFreeway competition, HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST is one of the top 30 most popular film festivals, and we're proud to offer cash awards of USD 6000 per year to our winners. Our Live Screening Event is the perfect opportunity to showcase your short film, to network with other industry professionals, and to have an amazing time, surrounded by people who share your same passion.

In addition to the live event, HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST has created a social media platform where you can stay updated on latest projects through interviews, Q&A sessions, and video presentations. After each online event, our jury will choose a short film to receive the special GRAND JURY AWARD, which comes with a cash prize of USD 1500. We'll also be awarding a USD 1500 Cash Prize to the Audience Award winner at the Live Event!

Our Judging Team consists of professionals from different fields of the film industry who have no ties to the films in competition. Each season, we invite judges from around the world to select the best films and artists in all categories. All main category winning films will be screened at our live event. Plus, all official selection films will be screened at our virtual event.

Join us for an unforgettable three-day celebration of the most innovative and talented independent filmmakers from all over the world at HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST. Don't pass up on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the excitement and discover the best of independent cinema across all genres.

Awards & Prizes

Every Quarter, a special GRAND JURY AWARD will be granted, receiving a CASH PRIZE OF USD 1500. Will you be the next winner?
USD 6000 CASH AWARDS PER YEAR 🏆🏆

MAIN CATEGORIES:
BEST SHORT
BEST FIRST TIME FILMMAKER SHORT
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE SHORT
BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
BEST STUDENT SHORT
BEST ANIMATED SHORT
BEST STUDENT ANIMATED SHORT
BEST DRAMA SHORT
BEST COMEDY SHORT
BEST HORROR SHORT
BEST MUSIC VIDEO

TECHNICAL & PERFORMANCES CATEGORIES:
BEST FEMALE DIRECTOR
BEST MALE DIRECTOR
BEST FEMALE STUDENT DIRECTOR
BEST MALE STUDENT DIRECTOR
BEST FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST SCREENWRITING
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST NEW ACTOR/ACTRESS
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
BEST SOUND DESIGN
BEST EDITING
BEST PRODUCER
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

SHORT FILM SELECTION PROCESS
Once you submit your project, it will be reviewed by our screeners team.
Film rating will be based on originality and creativity, direction, writing, cinematography, performances, production value, pacing, structure, sound & music.
Films with the highest scores will be part of the Official Selection and will receive an email notification with the corresponding laurel.
Non-Selected films will also receive an email from FilmFreeway on the notification date.

All Official Selection movies will be screened in our online Event.
All Official Selection movies will be watched and reviewed by our Jury who will select the winners.

At the end of the online screening, the winners of each category will be announced.
All the main category winners (Short, Foreign Language, First Time Filmmaker, Experimental, Documentary, Student, Student Animated Short, Animated Short, Drama, Comedy, Horror, and Music Video) will be automatically selected for our annual Live Event in the wonderful city of Hollywood.
Additionally, our curator will invite some top-notch, exceptional projects to participate in the live event.

Each winner will be notified via email from FilmFreeway and HSF, and we will attach a personalized achievement certificate, as well as the Official Laurels.
Winners will be announced on our website in the WINNERS section and promoted on our social media!

Rules & Terms

IF YOU SUBMIT YOUR FILM, YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING RULES:

FILMS MUST BE 40 MINUTES OR LESS.

FILMS MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE DATE THE PROJECT IS SUBMITTED.

FILMS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A PRIVATE LINK (VIMEO, YOUTUBE, FilmFreeway, SELF HOSTED). OTHER FORMAT IS CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTED.

QUALITY STANDARDS MUST BE MET. BELOW 720P RESOLUTION, POOR AUDIO QUALITY, ETC WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

FILMS CONTAINING ANY OTHER LANGUAGE THAN ENGLISH MUST HAVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

HSF HAS NO PREMIERE STATUS REQUIREMENTS.

ALL FEES ARE NON TRANSFERABLE AND NON REFUNDABLE.

WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS.

HSF MAY USE PORTIONS OF YOUR FILM (INCLUDING TRAILER/TEASER/STILL/POSTER) FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES.

YOU MUST OWN THE RIGHTS ON YOUR FILM IN ORDER TO SUBMIT IT.

FESTIVAL EVENT DATES AND TIMES MAY BE DELAYED OR CHANGED.

A DCP COPY OF YOUR FILM MIGHT BE REQUESTED FOR THE LIVE EVENTS.

We are not liable for any copyright infringements or unauthorized usage and any conflict should be settled by the parties involved thereof.

You are responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity.

HSF can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate. If you have any questions regarding this decision, feel free to contact us.

All submissions in personal categories required the name of the person and the category. You can easily send us this information in the cover letter at the FilmFreeway website.

Not all the submissions are selected for the official competition. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers nor feedback will be given about not selected films.

67 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Raffaele Vesco

    It was a fantastic experience and a real honor to have our short "Worst Case Scenario" part of the festival among an amazing lineup of films. The staff was comunicative throughout the entire process and they went above and beyond to offer a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for all the filmmakers. Excellent quality of the screening and very thoughtful Q&A. Thank you Hollywood Shortest!

    May 2023
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  • Calavera Sound

    Wonderful communication and experience talking to the team of this festival with my shortfilm from Madrid, wish I had had the chance to attend as it seems like it was a great event. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share our work in "Rick's Potential (and other theories about death)" with the audience in this emblematic theater of Los Angeles.

    May 2023
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  • Martin Strange-Hansen

    I was so lucky to have my film selected here, among a strong lineup of other great films. Unfortunately I was not able to attend the festival in person, would have loved to go. The communication throughout the entire process was top notch, including a description of the audience's response to the film from the organizers. :)

    May 2023
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  • Amy Geist

    We had such a great time at the Hollywood ShortsFest! They were extremely hospitable and really worked hard to make the filmmakers feel celebrated. We got to participate in their virtual event as well and won one of their Grand Jury Award's with a cash prize. From start to finish the experience has been wonderful! Would love to collaborate with them again in the future and highly recommend!

    May 2023
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  • Zach Tolchinsky

    Amazing fest! I was so surprised and pleased with the love and treatment of the filmmakers. The organizers were so kind and thoughtful! Our film The Forbidden Zone was awarded Best Animation, they printed a giant lovely poster for us that was displayed in the main room, and the Q & A was specific and well researched. I can't recommend this festival enough! We had such a great time, and am so grateful for the love!

    May 2023
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