HollyShorts Film Festival Announces a “Best Genre Award”
The HollyShorts Film Festival has unveiled its spine chilling selection of 32 horror short films, some of which can be seen in the new “Best Genre” category including RJ Collins’ Dropping , Ryan Maddox’s Fungus, Marc Bernardin’s Splinter and many more. This year the festival is taking place on August 10–20 at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood.
This year HollyShorts are excited to be partnering with 88th Street Productions, Epic Pictures and Dread who are seeking top-tier filmmakers from the festival’s official selections in the horror, thriller, and genre categories for possible film and series development opportunities.
Hot Pot Productions are also teaming up with the Oscar Qualifying film festival this year by announcing a new category “Best Genre” and prize. The Best Genre Award presented by Hot Pot Productions will feature a cash prize and development deal.
Lastly to top off this year’s HollyShorts announcements, MyCo and the official HollyShorts streaming platform Bitpix TV have a short to feature film development fund for genre shorts. Completed short films are eligible for the program which will support 3 films.
Some of this year’s hair raising films include Coral Amiga and Nicole Hartley’s BUG which shares the story of a mother losing her temper with her daughter on the side of the road, leading to monstrous results. Michael Rich’s The Queue weaves the story of an internet content moderator confronting the darkness within the videos he screens. Celine Cotran’s Legs tells the creepy tale of a couple trying for a baby when the wife swallows a spider awakening an appetite for flies, there may be more than one way to have a baby. Tyler Savage’s Oddities tells the tale of a drugged-out duo who attempt to rob an antique store, when they realize the older woman running the shop isn’t as defenseless as she seems. Erin Doyle Cooper’s The Invaders sends a chill up your spine when a mother and daughter are haunted by the same dream camping and are ultimately left awake as their nightmare comes to life. Sade Diana Sellers Picture is every horror lover’s dream, we follow Brit who is gifted a vintage Polaroid camera, unknowingly unleashes a malignant demon with an insatiable appetite.
Other intensely uncomfortable films include Clara I Aranovich’s Murder Camp when two serial killers make the shameful error of killing at the same camp on the same night, challenging the very fabric of their friendship. Lorena Lourenco’s Stitched tells the chilling story of a South Asian woman who decides to “Frankenstein” her ideal mate. Azwan Badruzaman’s Farmer Ed shares the story of an isolated farmer who makes a shocking discovery on his land and unlocks its mysteries unbeknownst to his wife. Jai Love’s Sugar Rag takes a dark turn when Alfred’s parents bring home his new baby brother, he unravels and decides to kill the baby before he loses his parents love. Eric Eng’s The Ghost tells the story of 12 year old Clarice Chung who feels invisible in her family, but when a mysterious presence takes her parents away it is up to Clarice and her sister to stop it. Miguel Ortega’s The Voice in the Hollow tells the tale of an African fable of sisterhood, envy and ancient evil.
The annual Academy Awards-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) brings together top creators, industry leaders and companies and has launched many filmmakers into the next stages of their careers. 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. For more information, visit the festival website.
Originally published at https://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on August 9, 2023.
