The HollyShorts Film Festival is an Oscar®-Qualifying short film festival based in Los Angeles. Since its establishment in 2005, HollyShorts has grown into a premier platform for independent filmmakers worldwide. As an Academy Awards-qualifying festival in four categories, HollyShorts presents a diverse selection of innovative short films across various genres.

From its modest beginnings at The Space Theatre to events at prestigious locations like the TCL Chinese Theatres and Cannes Film Festival, HollyShorts has evolved into an international symbol of excellence and influence within the film industry. Over the past two decades, the festival has attracted renowned filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals from around the world, fostering a community built on collaboration, inspiration, and mutual respect.

Recognized by MovieMaker magazine as one of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee, HollyShorts remains dedicated to championing emerging talents and pushing the boundaries of cinematic innovation.

2025 HSFF winners news here: https://deadline.com/2025/08/2025-hollyshorts-awards-winners-1236490453/

Awards & Prizes

HSFF awards prizes from sponsors Kodak, Panavision, 88th street, Black Magic, Alta global media, Shot Deck, 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, Short of the Week, Directors Notes, and The Documentary Channel. Industry attendees at the 2025 edition included programmers from TriBeCa, Cleveland, Newport Beach, Evolution Mallorca, Newfilmmakers LA, Dances with Films, and others!

All winners receive an offer to be on our exclusive platform Bitpixtv.com.

(*Categories/Amounts subject to change*)

Rules & Terms

By submitting (uploading & purchasing a submission to the festival), your project to HollyShorts Film Festival via FilmFreeway, 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 22nd 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 will screen on DCP unless otherwise mentioned. Simple DCP is our DCP vendor.

Important Note: HollyShorts now requires selected films to be a Los Angeles Premiere. Films selected for the 22nd HollyShorts must be an LA premiere, meaning HSFF will be the first LA screening for any selected films.

**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.**
182 Reviews
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  • Michelle West

    HollyShorts is always a great time! So many people to engage with, great audiences, and killer panels! Top notch!

    December 2025
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  • Regina Hoyles

    Had such an incredible experience here for what was the LA premiere for our short film Missing Rhythms! It was the perfect place to celebrate our film and the LA-based community that made it possible. We were so grateful for the amount of thought the HollyShorts team put into everything and for our film's award nomination. Would definitely recommend!

    November 2025
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  • Kyle Sykes

    It was an amazing festival with great projects. We won the Sports Category. Make it an Oscar Qualifier

    November 2025
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  • Deane Gonzalez

    Top notch festival all the way around. The community, organizers, and events all such a pleasure. We screened our film Quince Candles and couldn't have been happier with the outcome. Can't wait to return!

    November 2025
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  • Robbie Hyne

    What a joy to be a part of such an amazing festival! I'm so honored to have been included, and the celebration of indie work, especially today, feels more important than ever! Can't rec Hollyshorts enough! I will always be submitting with every new fiction podcast we create! Thank you for having us!

    November 2025
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