Our Live Event at the Marilyn Monroe Theater last April 19th-21st was an absolute blast with completely sold-out sessions! 🎉 Congratulations to all filmmakers whose films were screened. Pictures coming soon!!! 📷

It was a thrilling showcase, discovering the newest and most innovative, independent films from around the world. With Q&A's and networking cocktails every day.

At HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST, we're committed to helping up-and-coming filmmakers promote their work to global audiences. Our mission is to screen the best independent films of all genres, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a part of this amazing event. We are committed to screening all the winning films from the main categories in our Live Showcase with over 70 films.

As a GOLD FilmFreeway competition, we're proud to offer cash awards of USD 4000 per year to our winners. Our Live Screening Event is the perfect opportunity to showcase your short film, to network with other industry professionals, and to have an amazing time, surrounded by people who share your same passion.

In addition to the live event, HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST has created a social media platform where you can stay updated on latest projects through interviews, Q&A sessions, and video presentations. After each online event, our jury will choose a short film to receive the special GRAND JURY AWARD, which comes with a cash prize of USD 1000. We'll also be awarding a USD 1000 Cash Prize to the Audience Award winner at the Live Event!

Our Judging Team consists of professionals from different fields of the film industry who have no ties to the films in competition. Each season, we invite judges from around the world to select the best films and artists in all categories. All main category winning films will be screened at our live event. Plus, all official selection films will be screened at our virtual event.

Join us for an unforgettable three-day celebration of the most innovative and talented independent filmmakers from all over the world at HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST. Don't pass up on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the excitement and discover the best of independent cinema across all genres.

Awards & Prizes

Every Quarter, a special GRAND JURY AWARD will be granted, receiving a CASH PRIZE OF USD 1000. Will you be the next winner?
USD 4000 CASH AWARDS PER YEAR 🏆🏆

MAIN CATEGORIES:
BEST SHORT
BEST FIRST TIME FILMMAKER SHORT
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE SHORT
BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
BEST STUDENT SHORT
BEST ANIMATED SHORT
BEST STUDENT ANIMATED SHORT
BEST DRAMA SHORT
BEST COMEDY SHORT
BEST HORROR SHORT
BEST MUSIC VIDEO

TECHNICAL & PERFORMANCES CATEGORIES:
BEST FEMALE DIRECTOR
BEST MALE DIRECTOR
BEST FEMALE STUDENT DIRECTOR
BEST MALE STUDENT DIRECTOR
BEST FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST SCREENWRITING
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST NEW ACTOR/ACTRESS
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
BEST SOUND DESIGN
BEST EDITING
BEST PRODUCER
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

SHORT FILM SELECTION PROCESS
Once you submit your project, it will be reviewed by our screeners team.
Film rating will be based on originality and creativity, direction, writing, cinematography, performances, production value, pacing, structure, sound & music.
Films with the highest scores will be part of the Official Selection and will receive an email notification with the corresponding laurel.
Non-Selected films will also receive an email from FilmFreeway on the notification date.

All Official Selection movies will be screened in our online Event.
All Official Selection movies will be watched and reviewed by our Jury who will select the winners.

At the end of the online screening, the winners of each category will be announced.
All the main category winners (Short, Foreign Language, First Time Filmmaker, Experimental, Documentary, Student, Student Animated Short, Animated Short, Drama, Comedy, Horror, and Music Video) will be automatically selected for our annual Live Event in the wonderful city of Hollywood.
Additionally, our curator will invite some top-notch, exceptional projects to participate in the live event.

Each winner will be notified via email from FilmFreeway and HSF, and we will attach a personalized achievement certificate, as well as the Official Laurels.
Winners will be announced on our website in the WINNERS section and promoted on our social media!

Rules & Terms

IF YOU SUBMIT YOUR FILM, YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING RULES:

FILMS MUST BE 40 MINUTES OR LESS.

FILMS MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE DATE THE PROJECT IS SUBMITTED.

FILMS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A PRIVATE LINK (VIMEO, YOUTUBE, FilmFreeway, SELF HOSTED). OTHER FORMAT IS CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTED.

QUALITY STANDARDS MUST BE MET. BELOW 720P RESOLUTION, POOR AUDIO QUALITY, ETC WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

FILMS CONTAINING ANY OTHER LANGUAGE THAN ENGLISH MUST HAVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

HSF HAS NO PREMIERE STATUS REQUIREMENTS.

ALL FEES ARE NON TRANSFERABLE AND NON REFUNDABLE.

WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS.

HSF MAY USE PORTIONS OF YOUR FILM (INCLUDING TRAILER/TEASER/STILL/POSTER) FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES.

YOU MUST OWN THE RIGHTS ON YOUR FILM IN ORDER TO SUBMIT IT.

FESTIVAL EVENT DATES AND TIMES MAY BE DELAYED OR CHANGED.

A DCP COPY OF YOUR FILM MIGHT BE REQUESTED FOR THE LIVE EVENTS.

We are not liable for any copyright infringements or unauthorized usage and any conflict should be settled by the parties involved thereof.

You are responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity.

HSF can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate. If you have any questions regarding this decision, feel free to contact us.

All submissions in personal categories required the name of the person and the category. You can easily send us this information in the cover letter at the FilmFreeway website.

Not all the submissions are selected for the official competition. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers nor feedback will be given about not selected films.

When submitting your film, you are consenting to our Privacy Policy. We are committed to respecting each filmmaker's preferences. We might contact you through your email or social media provided in the submission page to communicate updates on your submission status, screening and DCP requirements, events ticket confirmation, as well as to provide information about events, services, promotions that we think you might be interested in. You can unsubscribe from any marketing or advertising newsletter from us or any partner festival simply by clicking unsubscribe.
Even when unsubscribing from a marketing newsletter, you can still receive any communication regarding your submission status through the FilmFreeway system. For more information about our associated event, please refer to hollywoodshortsfest.com. If you need further information, please contact us via hello@hollywoodshortsfest.com, and we will be happy to help you.

98 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joseph Burch

    Hollywood Shortsfest was an incredible festival experience. They screened my film, Stains, to a sold-out theater and included me in a pre-show Q&A where the moderator asked thoughtful questions.

    Great communication, well-run screening, and I got the opportunity to meet a bunch of talented filmmakers.

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Joseph, thanks for attending the event and for your review! We have loved to have STAINS in our lineup. Wishing you all the best!

  • Apoorva Gaitonde

    We had such a great experience watching our short film, Fitting In being showcased at the Hollywood Shorts Fest. The event was very well organized, and I loved seeing some great work from other filmmakers as well.

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Apoorva, thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience watching your short film, "Fitting In," showcased at Hollywood Shorts Fest. We're delighted that you found the event well-organized and enjoyed the work of other filmmakers as well.

  • Diego Contreras

    Very grateful to have had my film The Last Embrace screening and winning an award the Hollywood Shortsfest. It's a fantastical festival and I'm super bummed I couldn't attend this year. I appreciate the constant support and communication from everyone at the festival. Thanks!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Diego, Thank you so much for your kind words and congratulations on your film, "The Last Embrace," screening at Hollywood Shortsfest! We're thrilled that your film was part of our festival experience.
    We understand that you couldn't attend this year, but please know that your presence was felt through your remarkable work. We greatly appreciate your acknowledgment of our support and communication. It's always our pleasure to assist talented filmmakers like yourself. We hope to have the chance to welcome you in person at future events!

  • Esteban Pedraza

    This festival was my LA premiere and it was awesome. The Marylin Monroe theater is wonderfully intimate and the team was so supportive to me and my film. A great place for any short film's festival journey!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Esteban, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled that our festival could be the LA premiere for your film, and we're delighted to hear that you had an awesome experience. The intimate atmosphere of the Marilyn Monroe Theater indeed adds a special touch to the event, and we're thrilled that you found our team supportive throughout your festival journey.
    And Congratulations for your award! Your film truly captivated our Jury and added immense value to our festival. We hope to continue supporting filmmakers like you in the future.

  • Kornelia Takacs

    I highly recommend this Film Festival for film enthusiasts and filmmakers alike! Great selection of films, wonderful venue and amazing hospitality! Fantastic 2024 lineup!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Kornelia, Thank you very much for your kind words and enthusiastic recommendation! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our Film Festival experience, from the selection of films to the venue and hospitality. It's wonderful to know that you appreciated our efforts in curating a fantastic lineup for 2024. Your support and encouragement mean a lot to us, and we hope to continue exceeding your expectations in the future. By the way, we ❤ your jacket!!