HollyShorts Film Festival 2026: A Night to Remember

The 22nd edition of the HollyShorts Film Festival took place on a memorable Sunday evening, with the grand jury prize for best short film going to Dian Weys’ ‘Vultures.’ The Oscar-qualifying award comes with a prize of a $60,000 Panavision camera package, making it a significant milestone for the South African-born filmmaker.

‘Vultures’ tells the story of a hot-headed tow truck driver who fiercely protects his tow in the volatile moments after a car crash. However, the situation quickly spirals out of his control. The 15-minute-long short film has already made waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and has been screened around the world, including at the Tribeca Festival, the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, and the Zagreb Film Festival in Croatia.

Weys’ previous credits include the shorts ‘Bergie’ (2022) and ‘Versnel’ (2017), as well as the 50-minute-long thriller ‘Koffie en Sigarette’ (2023). The filmmaker’s experience and skill are evident in ‘Vultures,’ which has garnered critical acclaim and attention from industry professionals.

Along with the grand jury prize, ‘Vultures’ also won the festival’s Best International award. The film’s success is a testament to Weys’ talent and dedication to her craft. The Oscar-qualifying award will undoubtedly provide ‘Vultures’ with further opportunities and exposure in the film industry.

Other Major Winners at HollyShorts

Other notable winners at the HollyShorts Film Festival include Jessy Moussallem’s ‘Faux Bijoux’ for Best Director, Alyssa Loh’s ‘Copy, Save’ for Best Drama, and JJ Adler’s ‘The Oracle’ for Best Comedy.

The Best Live Action Award was claimed by Adrian Moyse Dullin and Jawahine Zentar’s ‘Pale Sun.’ The film tells the story of 12-year-old Abel, who is ashamed of his father’s body, marked by cancer. The story is a poignant exploration of the human experience and the complexities of family relationships.

Best Animation went to Kiana Naghshineh’s ‘With Tapes and Toasts in the Car (Im Auto Tapes und Butterbrot).’ The film follows Shari, a young woman who realizes what truly matters to her in the face of her body fading into stardust. Naghshineh’s animation is a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

The Time My Grandmother Was Held Hostage by Bank Robbers, directed by Rosella Tursi, won the Best Documentary jury award. The film’s title gives a strong sense of the content, which is built around memories of that day shared by members of nonna Rosa’s family, as well as recollections from one of the bank robbers/hostage takers himself.

The awards ceremony was held at the TCL Chinese Theatres at Ovation Hollywood. The festival’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the organizers, sponsors, and filmmakers involved.

In addition to the grand jury prize, HollyShorts is Oscar-qualifying in three additional shorts categories: Best Live Action, Best Animation, and Best Documentary. The festival’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating outstanding short films is evident in its rigorous selection process and prestigious awards.

The Best Live Action Award was claimed by Adrian Moyse Dullin and Jawahine Zentar’s ‘Pale Sun.’ The film tells the story of 12-year-old Abel, who is ashamed of his father’s body, marked by cancer. The story is a poignant exploration of the human experience and the complexities of family relationships.

The Time My Grandmother Was Held Hostage by Bank Robbers, directed by Rosella Tursi, won the Best Documentary jury award. The film’s title gives a strong sense of the content, which is built around memories of that day shared by members of nonna Rosa’s family, as well as recollections from one of the bank robbers/hostage takers himself.

Other notable winners at the HollyShorts Film Festival include Jessy Moussallem’s ‘Faux Bijoux’ for Best Director, Alyssa Loh’s ‘Copy, Save’ for Best Drama, and JJ Adler’s ‘The Oracle’ for Best Comedy.

The HollyShorts Film Festival + IMGN Short Film Fund was awarded to Braden Barton’s ‘The Fiddler’s Stroke,’ with a prize package valued at $25,000. The package includes a $10,000 cash grant from IMGN, a Blackmagic Cinema 6K Camera from HollyShorts, and exclusive one-on-one mentorship opportunities with filmmakers and industry executives, including Oscar winners Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman.

Kodak production benefits will also be provided to the winner and runner-up. The First Entertainment Credit Union Made in LA Award, which includes a $1,000 cash prize, was presented to Remington Hoffman and Ida Hoffman’s ‘Christmas Angels.’

HollyShorts and Film.io also announced the winners of their Audience Short Film Competition: Girl | Dad — Lianzi Fields, From Way Up Here — Celeste Chaney, Naughty Maids — Rommel Rojas, Domino Springs — Dan Hertzog, and Christmas Angels — Remington Hoffman.