The countdown to one of the biggest events in the short film calendar has officially begun. HollyShorts Film Festival has revealed its full programme for its 22nd edition, alongside this year’s official poster, and it’s packed with world premieres, Oscar winners, rising filmmakers and an impressive collection of talent from across film, television and sport.
Running August 13–23, 2026, the Oscar®-qualifying festival returns to the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres and venues throughout Ovation Hollywood, showcasing 430 short films selected from thousands of submissions worldwide.
Star Power Meets Emerging Talent
One of HollyShorts’ greatest strengths has always been introducing tomorrow’s filmmakers alongside some of today’s biggest names, and 2026 is no exception.
Among the headline premieres is Renée Zellweger’s directorial debut They, while Martin Freeman stars in Little Bug, inspired by the remarkable story of Laika, the first dog sent into space. Michael Keaton directs and stars opposite Kyra Sedgwick in Sweetwater, and Alexandra Shipp makes her directing debut with For Niko, in which she also stars.
Elsewhere, Vincent Cassel leads the sports drama The Colosseum, while Michael Caine lends his unmistakable voice to the moving wartime animation Bobby.
The festival also features several highly anticipated titles backed by major Hollywood names. Zoe Saldaña executive produces It’s Complicated, written by and starring Iman Karram, while Margot Robbie serves as executive producer on Get Her Back!, starring Lana Condor, Owen Teague and Kaia Gerber.
Other standout selections include:
- Selah, starring Milana Vayntrub
- The Sisters of Scott County, featuring Kaitlyn Dever and Ava Phillippe
- Chop Cheese, starring Michael Gandolfini and Christopher Meloni
- Homebodies, with Sam Richardson and Martha Kelly
- Meeting Your Maker, starring Jonathan Kite
- See You, Soon, featuring Asante Black and Isaiah John
Horror, Comedy and Powerful Drama
Genre fans have plenty to look forward to.
Jordan Peele executive produces both Spilled Milk, starring Kid Cudi and J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Charlie Dennis’ unsettling The Pigs Underneath.
Comedy highlights include FruitHead starring Bradley Whitford, Floored with Mara Wilson, Stay for the Q+A starring Jim Cummings, and Please Return Your Cart, featuring Russell Hornsby and Kimrie Lewis.
Drama lovers should also look out for In the Still of the Night, starring Academy Award winner Yalitza Aparicio, and Missed, starring Anna Camp.
A Fantastic Year for British Shorts
British filmmaking is particularly well represented this year.
Leading the pack is Joke, directed by Bob Cryer and featuring a remarkable cast including Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry and Alison Steadman.
Other highlights include:
- Gobstopper, executive produced by Barry Keoghan and Simon Curtis
- BRUVVAS, starring Ben Whishaw
- Signal, starring Christopher Eccleston and Jack Rowan
- Echoes, directed by Alex Lanipekun and featuring Nathalie Emmanuel, Ashley Walters and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett
- I Am the Prize, starring Russell Tovey
- Still Life, starring Ophelia Lovibond
- How to Hide It, executive produced by Idris and Sabrina Elba
- Life Goes On, starring David Bradley
- Swim Sistas, narrated by Naomie Harris
Outstanding Documentary and Animation
The documentary programme once again demonstrates the incredible breadth of nonfiction storytelling, including new work from Oscar nominee Joshua Oppenheimer, alongside films exploring everything from world-record attempts to cultural identity and social history.
Animation is equally strong this year.
Highlights include:
- Pigeons, featuring the voice of Andy Serkis
- Living with a Visionary, narrated by James Cromwell
- ChikaBOOM!, with voices from Natasha Lyonne, Yara Shahidi and Daveed Diggs
- Academy Award winner The Girl Who Cried Pearls
- Oscar nominee Butterfly
- Apart, written by Academy Award winner Spike Lee
- Student Academy Award nominee David Sick’s Send Nudes
Music Videos and Sport Return
The festival’s celebrated music video programme includes visuals for Gorillaz, Jack White, John C. Reilly, Wet Leg, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Anthrax, Weval and many more.
Meanwhile, HollyShorts’ growing Sports programme continues to attract major names.
Serena Williams executive produces Zina, chronicling tennis legend Zina Garrison, while Stephen Curry co-directs The Baddest Speechwriter of All alongside two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot. Also screening is Grenadye Alaso! 1974–2026, executive produced by Haitian DJ Michael Brun and football star Jozy Altidore.
More Than Just a Festival
Beyond this year’s screenings, HollyShorts is expanding its support for filmmakers with two major funding initiatives worth $40,000.
The new HollyShorts Short Film Fund will award one filmmaker a production package including a $10,000 grant, Blackmagic equipment, Kodak production support, mentorship from leading filmmakers and a guaranteed world premiere at HollyShorts 2027.
The festival is also launching the HollyShorts & Film.io Audience-Validated Competition, giving completed short films the opportunity to compete for $15,000 in cash prizes while building audience support for future projects.
As one of the world’s leading Oscar-qualifying short film festivals, HollyShorts continues to be one of the industry’s most important launchpads for emerging filmmakers, bringing together established talent, exciting new voices and some of the year’s most anticipated short films.
With 430 films spanning narrative, documentary, animation, music videos and sport, this year’s programme promises another unforgettable celebration of short-form storytelling.
