2026 HollyShorts Festival Showcases an All-Star Short-Film Lineup

The 22nd edition of the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts festival will run August 13–23 at the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Ovation Hollywood entertainment complex in Los Angeles. The program features 430 short films spanning a wide range of genres and international talent.

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The lineup highlights several high-profile projects. Renée Zellweger makes her directorial debut with the 2D animated short _They_. Martin Freeman stars in _Little Bug_, dramatizing Laika, the Soviet space-dog. Michael Keaton writes, directs, and stars in _Sweetwater_, opposite Kyra Sedgwick, exploring grief, nostalgia, and technology. Jordan Peele-produced horror _Spilled Milk_ is directed by Jared Leaf and features J. Alphonse Nicholson and Kid Cudi. Vincent Cassel leads the sports drama _The Colosseum_, while Michael Caine provides narration for the wartime drama _Bobby_. British entries include _Joke_ (directed by Bob Cryer, starring Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, and Alison Steadman) and _Gobstopper_ (starring Mia McKenna-Bruce and Annabel Scholey). Additional selections such as _Selah_, _Chop Cheese_, and _It’s Complicated_ round out the diverse slate.

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The festival benefits from an impressive roster of executive producers, underscoring its industry clout. Zoe Saldaña, Margot Robbie, Barry Keoghan, Idris Elba, Sabrina Elba, and Serena Williams are among the high-profile names attached to this year’s shorts. Barry Keoghan also executive-produces _Gobstopper_, while Zoe Saldaña backs _It’s Complicated_. Margot Robbie serves as an executive producer on _Get Her Back!_, starring Lana Condor, Owen Teague, and Kaia Gerber.

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• “EXCLUSIVE: The lineup for the 2026 edition of HollyShorts features a host of big names in front of and behind the camera including Renée Zellweger, whose directorial debut They is in the lineup, alongside projects featuring Judi Dench, Michael Keaton, Martin Freeman, Alexandra Shipp, Vincent Cassel, Jordan Peele and Michael Caine.” — Deadline

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• “High-profile exec producers on this year’s films at HollyShorts include Zoe Saldaña, Margot Robbie, Barry Keoghan, Idris and Sabrina Elba and Serena Williams.” — Deadline

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• “There are 430 short films in all in this year’s program.” — Deadline

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• “Also screening is Sean Douglas-penned Sweetwater, directed by and starring Michael Keaton opposite Kyra Sedgwick and exploring the intersection of grief, nostalgia and tech.” — Deadline

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