Features

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REENA DUTT’S ‘FOUND’

DEEPAK RAUNIYAR’S ‘FOUR NIGHTS’

By Mabel Pais

The annual Academy Awards® Qualifying HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL (HSFF), co-founded by Theo Dumont & Daniel Sol, celebrates its 18th year, August 11-20, 2022. The HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) screenings will take place in-person at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. 3rd Level, Hollywood, CA, 90028 and virtually through the official festival streaming platform BITPIX TV; with the annual Awards Gala set to take place on August 20, 2022. The Oscar® Qualifying HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL returns for its much-anticipated 18th edition with a fantastic selection of about 400 films screening this year from an impressive 5000 entries.

RECOGNITION

The winners of HollyShorts’ three top prizes, as previously, will be eligible for nomination at the 2023 Oscars®. Six HollyShorts films were nominated for the 2022 Academy Awards® with two wins for AneilKaria and Riz Ahmed’s ‘THE LONG GOODBYE’ and Ben Proudfoot’s ‘THE QUEEN OF BASKETBALL.’ HollyShorts (HSFF) brings together top creators, industry leaders, and companies and has launched many filmmakers into the next stages of their careers. HollyShorts, a regular on the MovieMaker Magazine Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee list, also engages its community and spotlights short films year-round through monthly screenings, panels, and networking events.

MESSAGE FROM CO-FOUNDERS & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Nicole Castro (Managing Director), Daniel Sol (Co-Founder, Co-Director) and Theo Dumont (Co-Founder, Co-Director) said in a joint statement: “It’s truly a pleasure to announce this year’s official selections for HollyShorts as we embark on our 18th anniversary of the Oscar-qualifying festival with 2 Academy Award winners this past year and 6 nominees. This year, we have a record of 41 countries represented in the official selections, which truly speaks to the global impact short films are having. We can’t wait to share these incredibly talented short films at this year’s festival and thank all the filmmakers who have submitted along with all of our amazing staff and incredible sponsors for supporting us.”

JURY

The talented jury members are AdakuOnonogbo, Blair Underwood, Bryan Cranston, David Dastmalchian, Janina Gavankar, Jeremy Swift, Jennifer Morrison, Joanna Quin and Stephanie Laing. Filmmakers and stars include double OSCAR® winner Ben Proudfoot, British legend Sir Steve McQueen, Academy Award® winner Travon Free, Jamie Lee Curtis and Gemma Arterton.

OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM – AUGUST 11, 7:30 PM @ Auditorium #1

Includes

Ticket to After Party

(1) Ticket to Opening Night Screening Block of Films

@ TCL Chinese 6 Theatres

(1) Ticket to the After Party @ Madame Tussauds

MINK!

Double OSCAR® winner Ben Proudfoot’s ‘MINK!’ tells the story of Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

EMBARRASSED

Sir Steve McQueen’s prostate cancer documentary ‘EMBARRASSED’ which stars Idris Elba who shares “the stats are shocking”, fellow star Morgan Freeman insists “get on your duff, and go and get your exam”, and Chiwetel Ejiofor CBE adds “it’s really important to get the message out there”.

BUMP

Rory Keenan’s ‘BUMP’ stars British fan favorite Gemma Arterton, Frank Chi’s 38.

CROSSHAIRS

Coral Amiga’s ‘CROSSHAIRS’ shares the story of two boys whose friendship is derailed

THE PROBLEM WITH TIME TRAVEL

‘THE PROBLEM WITH TIME TRAVEL’ touches on climate change.

TRIGGERED

Tara Westwood’s ‘TRIGGERED’ stars Isiah Whitlock Jr. and Law and Order’s SVU Robert John Burke.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

‘THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS’ all-star cast includes Adrianne Palicki and Zachary Levi.

38 AT THE GARDEN

Frank Chi’s ‘38 AND THE GARDEN’ is produced by OSCAR® winner Travon Free and revisits an Asian American athlete’s story.

COMPLETE FILM LINEUP

To view the full list of films, visit hollyshorts.com/official_selections_2022

Besides the film lineup,to learn more about the other programs and events of the Festival, visit hollyshorts.com

TICKETS

To purchase Tickets, visit Hollyshorts.com or for an All Access Badge, visit Hollyshorts2022.eventive.org/passes/buy

HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) #HSFF2022 (hollyshorts.com)

The annual Academy Awards® Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival celebrates its 18th year this month. HollyShorts, regular on MovieMaker Magazine’s “Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee list”, also engages its community and spotlights short films year-round through monthly screenings, panels, and networking events. Learn more at hollyshorts.com

Bitpix (bitpixtv.com)

Born out of the Oscar® Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival, Bitpix is a new Premium AVOD platform, featuring the world’s best short films. Learn more at bitpixtv.com.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality)