The Holly Weird Film Festival
Showing the other side of Hollywood

The Holly Weird Film Festival (HWFF), founded by Festival Director Jack Truman, celebrates independent films of all genres that feature a distinct vision, a unique voice, or an avant-garde challenge to what is expected or accepted. HWFF provides a venue for narrative, documentary, experimental and avant-garde film and video. Holly Weird is dedicated to celebrating all types of creativity from the worldwide independent film community.

We make it our mission to showcase the work of filmmakers who defy independent visions.

The Holly Weird Film Festival has become a platform for artists to showcase their creativity through film and about the voices that need to be heard. We are looking for true original, visionary filmmakers with fresh voices to share with an audience hungry for true independent film. We are focused on the unique and innovative. HWFF showcases artists from all walks of life. We seek to screen under-represented emerging filmmakers and artists.

While US guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to loosen, Holly Weird is still committed to the safety of our filmmakers and audiences as our top priority. We will continue to monitor and adapt as circumstances evolve to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging film festival experience for all attendees.

As well as certificates, selected filmmakers can get help with future film projects in the form of discounted rates from production houses, and possible mentoring from film executives. Selected films also get the option of various distribution opportunities in the film industry. Distribution is optional and entirely up to the filmmaker. The festival also offers publicity across a wide range of media, so enter today!

Enter your film to the Holly Weird Film Festival and join us for this unique celebration of indie films! And have your film screen in the entertainment capital of the world!!!

Holly Weird Film Festival is a showcase for truly original Independent and Do It Yourself (DIY) film and video.

All selected filmmakers will benefit from networking opportunities.

Located in the heart of Hollyweird (Hollywood, California).

Certificate Awards:

Best Weird Film
Best Director
Best Short
Best Feature
Best Comedy
Best Drama
Best Documentary

These prizes are awarded at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Holly Weird Film Festival Film Awards. All films entered in the year are in competition for these prizes.

By entering Holly Weird Film Festival, you agree to follow its rules and guidelines.

GENERAL RULES / FILM SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The Holly Weird Film Festival is open to independent film of all genres that feature a distinct vision, a unique voice or an avant-garde challenge to what is expected or accepted. We select and exhibit narrative features, documentary, and short films.

We're looking for all types of true independent film. We'll watch and show any type of movie. But we love unique, independent, artist-made, weird, strange, underground, avant-garde, experimental films!

No premiere status necessary.

Productions must be independently produced, with the maker retaining complete editorial control and copyright.

Entries must be submitted through a secure online screener.

Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English.

ENTRY FEES
Entry fees must be in U.S. funds only paid through FilmFreeway. Entry fees are per film entered, and must accompany the entry form for confirmation. Entry fees are non-refundable.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

Programming decisions are made by the festival directors and our selection committee. If accepted, we will notify filmmakers by email. Films not selected will receive notification by email.

After acceptance, the exhibition format will need to be in our office two weeks before the festival.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Holly Weird Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Holly Weird Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by any reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Submitting your film does not guarantee festival acceptance or screening. Acceptance into the festival does not guarantee award or prize. Submission fees are nonrefundable. Holly Weird Film Festival reserves the right to change our programming without notice.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thank you for giving our short film Fighting MSA Austin Crawford's Story a chance. Very grateful.

    August 2023
  • Brantley Palmer

    The Holly Weird Film Festival has been an amazing experience for our documentary. The online format has created an opportunity for the film to be seen by a large audience all across the globe. And the reception from folks who have had the chance to watch the film has been amazing.

    The festival also had great communication throughout the process and is an excellent value compared to so many other festivals' submission fees.

    July 2023
  • Greg Roensch

    Thanks to the fine folks at Holly Weird for including my short film in their program. Great communication from the festival organizers. My only regret is that I had to cancel my plans to attend the event (thanks, Covid). Thank you again to all involved in the Holly Weirdness ... and maybe we'll see each other down the road.

    July 2022
  • I had the opportunity and pleasure to screen my project, Sedalia, at Holly Weird 2022, which was a great experience! The festival host was energetic and enthusiastic about each project screened. I highly recommend submitting your project to Holly Weird!

    July 2022
  • Kevin A. Webb

    Really enjoyed this festival. I was hopeful because the word WEIRD is in the fest name and it did not disappoint. The programming was great: weird/unusual/interesting, yet eclectic in form and subject. The host venue, California Institute of Abnormal Arts, is itself full of art, oddities and eye candy - a fun atmosphere. Screenings, including my animated short "I Had Too Much To Think Last Night", went smoothly with a fun Q&A and lively audience. Great communication from fest. Hope to be back here again.

    June 2019