Introduction to the film festival
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.
Awards
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!
Rules
By submitting (uploading & purchasing a submission to the festival), your project to HollyShorts Film Festival, 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.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-08-20
Submission start time
2026-01-28
Earlybird Deadline
2026-04-01
Regular Deadline
2026-05-06
Late Deadline
2026-05-30
Extended Deadline
2026-05-30
Submission end time
2026-07-13
Finalist notification start time
2026-07-13
Finalist notification end time
2026-08-13
Award ceremony start time
2026-08-23
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 85 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 85 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 85 Dollar
2026/01/28
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
Student： 45 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2026/05/06
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 70 Dollar
2026/05/30
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
Student： 85 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
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