British Shorts selected for the 21st HollyShorts Film Festival

The Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival returns for its landmark 21st edition from August 7–17, 2025, hosted once again at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Los Angeles. Chosen from a record-breaking 7,000 submissions, this year promises to be the most dazzling and unforgettable festival yet with a strong slate of high-profile British entries set to make their mark. 

Founded in 2005, HollyShorts has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for short-form filmmaking, renowned for spotlighting emerging talent and launching films that have gone on to win Academy Awards and other top honors. This year’s British lineup is rich with compelling stories, bold debuts, and acclaimed talent across genres and formats. 

A Friend of Dorothy, directed by Lee Knight, tells a heartwarming tale of unexpected friendship between a lonely widow (Miriam Margolyes) and a 17-year-old boy (Alistair Nwachukwu), featuring a memorable supporting turn from Stephen Fry. A Big Man, one of the festival’s most anticipated titles, marks music icon Stormzy’s first leading role under the direction of Academy Award winner Aneil Karia. Genevieve O’Reilly and Nicholas Pinnock star in Going, Rupert Ratcliffe’s twist-filled journey through the English countryside, while Elham Ehsas and Huse Monfaradi deliver emotionally resonant dramas with their There Will Come Soft Rains and One Punch. 

The BAFTA-nominated Stomach Bug and BAFTA-winning ROCK PAPER SCISSORS, a powerful drama based on true events from the Ukraine–Russia conflict, will also screen at the festival alongside the Aspen Shortfest-winning A Bear Remembers, from directing duo Zhang + Knight. 

Two acclaimed British actors step behind the camera for the first time. Game of Thrones star Kit Harington makes his directorial debut with Psychopomp, a dark comedy about a man who hires a hitman to end his own life. Letitia Wright (Black Panther) also debuts with Highway to the Moon, a coming-of-age fantasy exploring brotherhood, unity, and hope. 

Told primarily in sign language, Oscar winner Rachel Shenton stars in Ace Mahbaz’s poignant Familiar Stranger, while The Second Time Around, Jack Howard’s debut short, captures the beauty of a fleeting encounter. Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education) writes and stars in the whimsical fantasy The Painting & The Statue, while Acts of Kindness (with Sam Spruell and Mia Tharia) and Largo (executive produced by Oscar-winner Chris Overton) promise rich, character-driven storytelling. Clout, from Jordan Murphy Doidge, reimagines The Boy Who Cried Wolf as a modern fable about a teen seeking validation through social media, while the webseries JOHNNY explores Black identity and male vulnerability. James Hyde’s The Very Thought of You uncovers a forgotten story of a WWII hero, and Rhoda, starring Emma D’Arcy and Juliet Stevenson, follows an older woman who takes in a mysterious lodger. 

This year’s British horror slate includes MANGO by Joan Iyiola, a visceral tale of a woman battling body-morphing fibroids, and Hector Bell’s Skin Deep, which explores the challenges of a modern relationship. Ali Cook’s The Pearl Comb, set in 19th-century Cornwall, blends mysticism and folklore, while Blue Violet by Josie Charles dives into the psychological aftermath of a toxic breakup. Plastic Surgery, a sharp environmental satire, stars Anna Popplewell and Daniel Ings. Competing in Midnight Madness, Jake Goes on a Date follows a man undergoing a surreal transformation before a pivotal evening. 

In the Animation category, Ida Melum’s Ovary-Acting addresses the societal pressure on women to bear children, while When the Tide Comes offers a whimsical tale of a sand creature and a baby sea turtle. Laura Quinn Geyer’s Lost Marble charms with its inventive storytelling. Two Black Boys in Paradise, directed by Baz Sells and adapted from Dean Atta’s acclaimed poem, explores identity and belonging, while Sarah Beeby’s Gardening deals with the emotional aftermath of sexual assault. 

The documentary selection includes Shadows in Sunlight by Ruhi Hamid, which chronicles Ishrat Rahim’s mission to vaccinate children against polio in Pakistan. Love Immortal explores the life of Britain’s founding father of cryonics, and Riyadh Haque delivers a deeply personal reimagining of his British South Asian identity.  

On the lighter side, The Last Dumpling by Jadey Duffield brings high energy and action, while Andrew Richardson’s The Most Powerful Human on Earth offers sharp wit about a man with superhero delusions. Rocket Fuel by Jordon Scott Kennedy tells the story of two friends turning an abandoned car into a DIY spaceship. Lisa Service’s Best Before blends comedy and drama to explore IVF struggles. Charlotte Serena Cooper’s LGBTQ+ satire Bury Your Gays, featuring Harry Trevaldwyn, Ella-Rae Smith and Black Harrison, is currently in development as a feature. Craig Ainsley’s Everyone Does It adds a sci-fi twist to a romantic comedy encounter. 

Rounding off this year’s British entries are Lo Que Desaparece, an allegorical take on climate change; The Last Dance by Hayden McLean, a vibrant look at Caribbean life in 1990s East London, and 22+1, a deeply moving story about navigating grief after late-term pregnancy loss. In CARE, Steg O’Driscoll explores a tender bond between two male prisoners, while Brothers by Ross Syner tests the limits of loyalty and morality. Finally, CAMERAMAN by Arsalan Motavali follows an immigrant forced to weigh the future of his family against a risky financial decision. 

HollyShorts is devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, advancing the careers of filmmakers through screenings, networking events, and various panels and forums. The festival showcases the top short films produced in 40 minutes or less. 

To view the complete list of official selections, visit http://www.hollyshorts.com 

This year’s hybrid celebration of short films will take place in person, with screenings at the world-renowned TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and virtually through the official festival streaming platform, Bitpix TV. The festival opens on August 7 and will culminate in the Awards Gala on August 17, where the winners will be announced. 

For additional information and tickets, visit: https://hollyshorts2025.eventive.org/passes/buy