The Academy Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) is an annual short film festival showcasing the best and brightest short films and short screenplays from around the globe. The festival showcases the top short films produced 40 minutes or less and is looking for the best short screenplays 30 pages or less and TV pilots 50 pages and under.
The 13th annual HollyShorts Screenplay Contest is part of the 21st annual HollyShorts Film Festival (August 13-23 2026) We are looking for short screenplays 30 pages or less. All Quarter, Semi, and Finalists will be announced and invited to the festival with an all access pass. Top 5 screenplays will be announced/awarded at the HollyShorts Awards Ceremony. ISA story prize rounds out the top 5. The completed shorts will screen at the 2027 HollyShorts Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatres and receive automatic distribution on Bitpix!
Best Short Screenplay
The first place winning short screenplay will get prizes courtesy of 88th Street Productions, Festival Formula, Alta Global Media, and Bitpix. The Finished film will get an automatic screening at HollyShorts and distribution on Bitpix!
Top winner will also receive a meeting with Alta Global Media and Festival Formula for festival strategy consultation.
Sponsors: 88th Street Productions + Bitpix + Festival Formula + Alta Global Media
*all completed winning scripts (if and when completed) get automatic distribution on Bitpix, will screen at HollyShorts and will receive intro to Festival Formula to make festival submission plan for said short film.
ISA story Award
ISA prize
Sponsor: ISA.
Best TV pilot
Optioned by 88th Street Productions.
Quarter and Semi Finalists
All Quarter and Semi-finalists get invite to attend the festival, all-access pass.
Best Female Screenplay
Sponsors: 88th Street + Bitpix + Festival Formula
$1000 cash for the winner of Best Female Screenplay, along with guaranteed screening at HollyShorts and distribution on Bitpix along with a festival strategy discussion with Festival Formula.
Feature Screenplay Award
Sponsor: Alta Global Media
Consulting meeting with Alta Global Media for the winning Feature Screenplay