The HollyShorts Film Festival is pulling out all the stops for its 21st edition, assembling a powerhouse lineup featuring global music icon Stormzy, the late Michael Madsen, Viola Davis, Stephen Fry, Idris Elba, Letitia Wright and a host of other A-list talent.
Running Aug. 7-17 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Los Angeles, the festival will also stream globally via Bitpix, showcasing films selected from a record 7,000 submissions worldwide.
Stormzy stars in Academy Award winner Aneil Karia’s “Big Man,” while Viola Davis takes center stage as narrator of Emmai Alaquiva’s documentary “The Ebony Canal: The Story of Black Infant Health.” Idris Elba stars in the west coast premiere of “Victory,” the cinematic visual album from hip-hop icon Slick Rick, also featuring Nas and Giggs and directed by Meji Alabi. Stephen Fry stars alongside Miriam Margolyes in Lee Knight’s “A Friend of Dorothy.”
Among other marquee entries, Madsen appears in Thibaud Goarin’s “The Things We Carry,” which explores the cycle of gun violence in America. The festival program notes the film as one of several addressing America’s pressing social issues, including Sam Hendersen’s “Ado,” featuring Jenifer Lewis in a moving performance about school shootings and their aftermath.
Letitia Wright makes her directorial debut with “Highway to the Moon,” marking a major step forward for the acclaimed actor.
Several high-profile executive producers are backing projects this year. Cate Blanchett executive produces Mahnoor Euceph’s “11:11,” while Patty Jenkins and Chris Pine are behind Taylor Bakken’s “What’s the Deal with Birds.” Issa Rae executive produces Jeremie Cander’s “Grief Retreat,” and Spike Lee backs Manya Glassman’s “How I Learned to Die.”
The live-action slate features Andrew Leeds’ “Bulldozer,” boasting an ensemble cast including Joanna Leeds, Tim Bagley, Nat Faxon, Allen Leech, Kate Burton, Mary Steenburgen, and Nick Armstrong. Tony Mucci’s “Money Talk$” stars David Mazouz, 24kGoldn, Fredro Starr, Tyler “Hook” Senerchia, and Bo Dietl.
Other notable entries include Meron Alon’s “Too Good” starring Jean Smart, Warren Fu’s “Under the Infinite” featuring 2025 Tony Winner Darren Criss, and John de Menil’s “Main Man” starring Haley Joel Osment and Finn Wittrock.
The documentary lineup features celebrity jacket designer Jeff Hamilton’s “Welcome to My Roots,” directed by David Serero, which will premiere on opening night in the sports category. Hamilton, known for crafting iconic jackets for Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Madonna, will receive the Sports Culture Icon Award. The documentary features appearances by LeBron James, Snoop Dogg, and DJ Khaled.
Animation entries include John Kelly’s “Retirement Plan,” narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, which won awards at both SXSW and Palm Springs earlier this year. Academy Award nominee Aaron Blaise’s “Snow Bear” showcases hand-drawn 2D animation, while Greg Franklin’s “The Whistle,” executive produced by Josh Gad, tells a story set in Nazi Germany in 1938.
Jeremy Renner’s heartfelt tribute to his daughter, “Wait,” directed by Evan Hara, rounds out the music video selections.
As an Oscar-qualifying event, HollyShorts offers Academy Award consideration in four major categories: Best Short Film Grand Prize, Best Short Animation, Best Documentary Short, and Best Live-Action Short.
The festival will culminate with the HollyShorts Awards Gala on Aug. 17, where winners will be revealed.
