In an effort to showcase diverse independent voices and emerging filmmakers throughout the Middle East, HollyShorts is inaugurating its first HollyShorts Dubai, was held successfully December 12-14, 2025 at the Studio One Hotel in Dubai and the 2nd edition will take place January 14-17 2027. Winners of the first Dubai edition :
The 2025 HollyShorts Dubai Award Winners are:
Winner - Best of Fest: Karayr by Neo Apelian
The Best of Fest Award winner receives an automatic entry into the competition at the Oscar®-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles in August 2026. The prize package also includes a $1,000 valued Future Art Prize package, a $500 cash prize from IMGN, and high-end skincare products from Cotrini Skincare. The winner also takes home a unique, pearl-adorned champagne glass created by The Èlliance, inspired by Dubai’s luxury and glamour.
Winner - Best International: Largo by Max Burgoyne-Moore & Salvatore Scarpa
The Best International winner receives a $1,000 valued Future Art Prize package, and high-end skincare products from Cotrini Skincare, the luxury brand renowned for its innovative Salmon DNA technology, favored by icons such as Naomi Campbell and Bella Thorne.
Winner - Best Drama: Kareem by Abdul Majid Abbasi
The Best Drama winner receives a $1,000 valued Future Art Prize package, and high-end skincare products from Cotrini Skincare.
Winner - Best Director: Lov U Dead by Nitesh Marwaha
The Best Director receives a $1,000 valued Future Art Prize package, a $500 cash prize from IMGN, and high-end skincare products from Cotrini Skincare.
At the Opening Ceremony at the Coterie, an Audience Award competition was held, and The Keyboard was awarded the Audience Award as best film.
HollyShorts Dubai thanks its official sponsors and partners for helping make this first edition a tremendous success: Future Art Broadcast Trading, Aperture, Delano, Urban Films, Film Society, IMGN, Alta Global Media, Dumont Realty, Priority PR, Osan Sunglasses, xx Agency , Middlesex University, SAE University and College, Firdaus Studio, Frontrunner Technologies, Elliance, Miller Insurance, and Cotrini Skin.
About HollyShorts Dubai:
HollyShorts Dubai is an Oscar® and BAFTA-qualifying annual short film festival dedicated to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, with a focus on fostering emerging talent and creating networking opportunities within the Middle Eastern film community.
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Founded in 2005, HollyShorts has grown into one of the world’s leading platforms for short form storytelling. Its flagship event at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood this past August screened over 400 films culled from a record breaking 7,000 submissions. The four winning submissions from this year festival are now eligible for Oscar award consideration in 2026.
Charting a global expansion with the goal of reaching filmmakers in their own markets, HollyShorts’ expansion with HollyShorts Dubai is a unique opportunity for filmmakers in the Middle East to participate in the short film competition, not only potentially qualifying their productions for Oscar consideration, but also participating in vibrant creative discussions and lucrative business idea exchanges, but also building unique business and collaborative relationships through the event’s celebrated networking opportunities.
Grand Prize winner will receive an automatic slot in the 2027 23rd Annual HollyShorts in Hollywood!
