About 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.
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!
Subject ：
Video Format ：HDV MPEG4 DCP
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.
Categories and fees
Short Live Action
Video length ：0 - 40
Short Live Action films 40 minutes or less. Category includes Drama, Narrative, Action, Horror, Thriller, Comedy, and Cinematography. *Winner of Best Short Live Action qualifies for Academy award consideration.
Animation
Video length ：0 - 40
Animation short films 40 minutes or less. *Winner of Best Animation qualifies for Academy award consideration.
Documentary
Video length ：0 - 40
Short Documentary films 40 minutes or less. (winner qualifies for Academy Awards)
Student
Video length ：0 - 40
College or thesis projects, film class projects, etc. 40 minutes or less.
Shot on Film
Video length ：0 - 40
Films shot on 8mm, 16mm, or 35mm Sponsored by Kodak
Midnight Madness
Video length ：0 - 40
Short Films fitting of the Midnight screenings 40 minutes or less.
Bollywood Shorts
Video length ：0 - 40
Bollywood Short films produced or inspired by the Bollywood industry in India!
Sports
Video length ：0 - 40
sports short films
Music
Video length ：0 - 40
Music documentaries or music themed narrative films and or music films or extended music video narratives.
Digital Microbudget
Video length ：0 - 10
Films made on tablets, iphones, Microsoft Windows phones, Androids, gopro, etc. Budget at or under $500. 10 minutes or less.
Commercial
Video length ：0 - 3
Commercial submissions 3 minutes or less.
Music Video
Video length ：0 - 7
Music Video submissions 7 minutes or less.
Super 8mm
Video length ：0 - 40
Sponsored by Kodak, this category is dedicated to films shot on Super 8mm film
Live Event
