HollyShorts 2025 Shines Bright on Talent and Storytelling

From 7-17th August, the 21st HollyShorts Film Festival took place in the center of Hollywood, showcasing a diverse array of short films from throughout the globe. With 427 official selections, including a record-breaking group chosen from thousands of submissions, the festival further cemented its reputation as a platform for voices that are fearless, varied, and challenge boundaries. 

Image Courtesy: Deadline

The festival, which took place at the storied TCL Chinese Theatre and was streamed worldwide on Biptix, featured live red carpet premieres, seminars, networking opportunities, and nightime receptions that gave participants a taste of the industry's creative lifeblood. HollyShorts, an Oscar-qualifying festival in several short-film categories, keeps acting as a direct link between up-and-coming filmmakers and Academy honors.

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Honoring Luminaries—Oyelowo, Hess, and McNamara Take Center Stage

Three noteworthy awardees were at the center of the festival's festivities. For his strong performances and support of marginalized voices, David Oyelowo was given the Luminary Award; his work, which includes the Oscar-nominated short 'The After', has won high praise at the HollyShorts Film Festival. 

Image Courtesy: HollyShorts Film Festival 

For his innovative leadership and impact in the short-form community, Jared Hess—famous for cult comedies like 'Napoleon Dynamite' and the most recent 'Minecraft' movie—was given the Visionary Award. And Katherine McNamara, known for her roles in 'Shadowhunters' and 'Arrow', received the Rising Star Award—a nod to her growing impact in both performance and storytelling. 

Here is the full list of the Winners: 

1. Best Sci-Fi – The Second Time Around – Jack Howard
2. Best Special Effects – Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting – Alexander Thompson
3. Best Student Film – 1:10 – Sinan Taner
4. Best Thriller – Plastic Surgery  – Guy Trevellyan
5. Best TV – Chasers – Erin Brown Thomas
6. Best Web Series – Hasaan Hates Portland – Mischa Webley
7. Kodak Best Shot on Film, 16MM – Ragamuffin – Kaitlyn Mikayla
8. Kodak Best Shot on Film, 35MM – The Singers – Sam Davis
9. Kodak Honorable Mention – Synthesize Me – Bear Damen
10. Latine Award – Cura Sana – Lucía G. Romero
11. LGBTQIA+ Award – Dancing in Tomorrowland – Jakob Roston
12. SAGindie Award – L’avance – Djiby Kebe
13. Social Impact Award – Rise – Jessica J. Rowlands
14. Best Sports Drama –  Negro League Nights  – Kyle Sykes
15. Best Sports Documentary – It’s On Like A Pot Of Neckbones – Joey Garfield

Additionally, Script Awards were presented to - 

1. ISA Story Award – Best Feature Screenplay –  Dope Friend – Matt Ferrucci
2. Best Female Screenplay – The Unraveling by Samantha Mallory
3. Best Short Screenplay Grand Prize – Mudslide by Frederik Ehrhardt

These honors demonstrated the festival's dedication to celebrating artists at all levels, from well-known icons to the upcoming generation of influential voices.

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