HollyShorts UK is the British extension of the 23rd annual HollyShorts Film Festival taking place once a year in London!

Screenings, Q and As, Networking receptions, Panels, and Awards. Films will also screen virtually hosted globally by Bitpix.

Awards & Prizes

Best of HollyShorts UK best of fest will automatically get selected to screen at the 23rd annual HollyShorts!

HollyShorts UK is sponsored by Cotrini.com, Kodak, Panavision, Miller Insurance, The Farm Post, Color Space Finishing, Alta Global, 88th Street, Bitpix, ShotDeck, and IMGN.

Prizes include distribution on Bitpix along with a meeting with Alta Global Media. Grand Prize winner receives an amazing Panavision UK Camera package valued at 20,000 British Pounds and Farm Post production prize package valued at $5,000!

Other prizes include:

The Farm Post prize package valued at $5,000

Kodak film stock valued at $2,000

Color Space Finishing color correction prize at $1,500.

Shot Deck prize subscriptions vaued at $100 each.

Cotrini Skincare presents the Best Director award.

Visionary and Honoree awards

Drinks event sponsored by Miller Insurance

IMGN workshop presentation panel.

2025 HollyShorts UK Award Winners

Best Short Film Grand Prize
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Franz Böhm
Prize: £20,000 Panavision lens package, Essex Bouqcakes prize package
Best Director, Presented by Cotrini Skincare with £5,000 Post Production Package from The Farm
The Singers, Sam Davis
Best Student Film
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Franz Böhm
Best Animation
Two Black Boys in Paradise, Baz Sells
Best Comedy
Chasers, Erin Brown Thomas
Best Drama, Presented by Le Kool Champagne
A Friend of Dorothy, Lee Knight
Best Thriller
ADO, Sam Henderson
Best International, Presented by Sushi Samba
The Singers, Sam Davis
Best Music Video
Bile Bile, Rango Musau
Best Music Documentary
Hugel – The Entourage, Ludovic Genco, Hugo Lucas Pompier
Best Sports Documentary
Fighting Demons, Simon Stock
Best Shot on Film, Presented by Kodak Motion Pictures
A Death in the Family, Yasmin Hafesji
Best Cinematography, Prize Package Presented by ShotDeck
Stomach Bug, Andri Haraldsson

2024 HollyShorts London Winners:

Best Comedy: MY WEEK WITH MAISY directedy by Mika Simmons

Best Drama: CLODAGH directed by Portia A. Buckley

Best Documentary: ANAIS directedy by Hélène Hadjiyianni

Best Cinematography: ANUJA by Akeshe Raje

Best Shot on Film presented by Kodak: CLODAGH by Portia A Buckley

Best International: THE MASTERPIECE directed by Alex Lora

Best Director presented by Cotrini Skincare: SISTER WIVES directed by Louisa Connolly-Burnham

Best Short Film Grand Prize presented by Panavision: CALF directed by Jamie O’Rourke

Rules & Terms

By submitting (uploading & purchasing a submission to festival), your project to HollyShorts UK 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. 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 3rd Annual HollyShorts UK, you agree for HollyShorts UK 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 UK can screen your film, regardless of another festival's acceptance and are bound by these terms and conditions.**

22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hayden Mclean

    After the amazing experience in Hollyshorts LA, It was a blessing to bring 'The Last Dance' back home to London and what an experience Hollyshorts UK was! Great programming, panels & events! And a festival I would never hesitate to submit my future work to and neither should you!

    Thanks Hollyshorts UK team!

    February 2026
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  • Benjamin Verrall

    Huge thanks to the organisers of HollyShorts UK!

    We had such a wonderful time at the festival and are so grateful that our short animation Wavelength was selected for the 2025 programme. The quality of the blocks was incredibly high, we thoroughly enjoyed both the screenings and the events. It was a great experience all around, and we had the chance to meet so many lovely and inspiring filmmakers.

    We really appreciate how HollyShorts makes space in the schedule for meaningful conversations and connections between filmmakers. Thank you again!

    December 2025
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  • Pardeep Sahota

    A welcoming festival with a huge audience. Approachable organisers, considerate scheduling and great networking opportunities. We were happy to show our work here and hope to return.

    December 2025
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  • Erik Jasaň

    Thank you for the official selection of our film THE PROFESSIONAL PARENT. The atmosphere at the festival was wonderful and offered many great networking opportunities. The film is currently For Your Consideration in category Best Live Action Short Film, and I believe that participating in this festival has also helped increase its visibility. I’m grateful that my film could be part of your festival. Wishing you all the best!

    December 2025
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  • Hannah Tookey

    The HollyShorts team clearly put a lot of effort into marketing the festival, which meant we got to see our film, CARE, play in a sold-out screening in the Vue Cinema West End. This was very cool and there was a great buzz throughout the festival. Although we couldn't attend everything, we really appreciated the variety of networking and learning opportunities they offered to filmmakers - panel discussions, a fancy opening night party, and even tours of the BFI. The HollyShorts team brought such a good energy to every event, and we met some really excellent filmmakers at this festival too. We'll definitely submit future films to HollyShorts UK.

    November 2025
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