April 3rd-8th, 2025
We are thrilled to welcome you to the 4th consecutive year of one of the most exciting short film festival: Hollywood ShortsFest. A celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the power of cinema.
Our curating team has worked thoughtfully not only on the visual identity of this edition but also in crafting each block of films as a cohesive journey. While every short film stands as its own unique story, together they create a flow, a “follow-through”, guiding you from one cinematic experience to the next.
Over the course of this weekend, you will have the chance to discover 65 short films, each a world of its own, each a masterwork. Sit back, and celebrate the magic of Cinema.
Footsteps that cannot be erased. These stories will leave a mark, they will engage your every sense and make you unable to look away. Stories of pain and stories that must be heard.
In this heartfelt dramedy, we meet Travis, a New Yorker whose receding hairline mirrors the distant memories of his childhood. As he navigates the vibrant chaos of his birthday and a night out, he’s haunted by looming thoughts. He has a great network of family and friends around him, but Travis doesn’t know how to open up about the insecurities surrounding his hair loss.
A short anecdote touching on the cryptic burden of Identity: A musician is thrown into crisis when, in a bewildering chain of events, his beloved violin is displaced by a contrabass. Oscillating between acceptance and denial, he struggles to come to terms with this uncanny new reality.
An elderly white woman with preconceived ideas encounters young Latino gangsters in a park. Scared to death, she tries to escape them, but finds there’s more than meets the eye.
A young, hopeless romantic must learn to navigate the pressures of the day’s dating scene if he is to find “the one.”
Sky Angels tells the true story of a family stranded in the Los Padres Mountains during the cyclone bomb of January 9th, 2023. Cut off from civilization, they relied on three pilots who flew vital supplies to a 500-foot backcountry airstrip for five months, helping them rebuild a road back to civilization from their mountain homestead.
The film takes place on a sinking WWII warship that has just been struck by a torpedo and is rapidly going under. Florence’s captain, a war veteran and decorated hero, experiences a crisis of faith—worrying, for the first time in his life, that perhaps he might come across as desperate. He instructs his Morse code operator to send out a distress message but urges him to avoid sounding ‘overbearing’ — resulting in a confused and frustrated lifeboat team who ultimately decide to ‘sack it off’.
She saw her life branching out before her like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, a possible future beckoned. Luckily, when she turns 25, she gets an instruction manual that tells her exactly how to live her life, so she doesn’t have to worry about these things. But as she dutifully follows the steps, the instructions get stranger, and soon, the branches start to blur.
Ruby, a dedicated podcast researcher, juggles work and a lonely dating life, finding comfort in her friend Ava’s advice. One day, she spots Brendan, an intriguing new face at her neighborhood little library but feels invisible when he doesn’t acknowledge her. Ava encourages Ruby to leave a note for Brendan as a leap of faith. Unbeknownst to Ruby, Brendan is grieving and searching for meaning. A mix of hope, misunderstanding, and fate leads Ruby to a moment where their paths finally collide. Their encounter hints that destiny may have always had a plan for them.
Jake Samboja, a disgruntled young man burdened by his past, returns home to find a surprise party thrown by his best friend, Esau, celebrating three years of cancer remission. Overwhelmed by the crowd and his family’s disconnect, Jake’s frustration erupts, driving everyone away. Left in silence, he confronts his darkest thoughts and a hidden plan. As the night unfolds, a final, unexpected encounter could alter his path—or cement it forever.
“Before the Freeze – Director’s Cut” is a short experimental psychodrama about a mother, anxiety, and a water bottle.
Leo and his little daughter, Mia, have managed to leave Cuba behind and arrive in the United States, looking for a new life, they live at the south of Miami on a ranch borrowed from Miguel (the deal maker). Despite the difficulties, Leo is determined to reunite his family, since his wife is still trapped at the Mexican border, trying to cross illegally to join them. The cost of the crossing had been agreed upon at $10,000, but immigration laws have changed, and the price has increased to $15,000, a sum that Leo does not have. Under pressure from Miguel and with time against him, Leo works tirelessly to get the extra money. However, the coyotes known as “The toughs”, who are in charge of crossing his wife, begin to suspect that Leo is cheating on them and delaying payment. They threaten to take drastic measures if they don’t receive the remaining money soon. As the tension increases, Miguel, the friend who offered them shelter at the ranch, tries to help, but everything gets out of control when “the toughs” decide to act and Leonardo’s life takes an unexpected turn in just one second.
Cassie and her mom are backstage at a children’s dance competition. Something has happened. Something hidden from her but Cassie, about to go on stage, knows. Mom is falling apart. No one speaks of it, but the monster is there. Who will let it take the stage?
Trailer of an art exhibition
When an important heirloom breaks during a fight with her strict mother, Angel has to glue the pieces back together to restore her relationships with her mom and herself.
Claudia a young actress and underwater stand-in learns of the death of her biological father a renowned artist who never recognised her despite their tenuous relationship. This news and her loyalty to her parents will plunge her into a profound dilemma…
Rhythmic beats that create unimaginable worlds. Some real, some not-so-much. Delve into this block filled with true stories and experimental worlds that will captivate you from start to finish.
Rouge is an absurdist comedy taking place on May 4, 1937, in Paris, France when Detective Jean Martin is called to a local apartment building to investigate the murder of painter, Arthur Dubois.
A reflection on how we define space and the feeling we call home through different perspectives and memories.
Abyss is a cautionary tale that depicts addiction to porn and social media through Joe’s increasing loneliness and obsession with his online girlfriend.
When a paramedic must get home to save his wife, unexpected twists cause him to question reality.
At a parole hearing for his older brother, a traumatized young man struggles to reconcile memories of the brother he loved with the crimes he committed, questioning if he can ever forgive him.
In 1983, Julie Ridge became the first person to swim two consecutive laps around Manhattan Island, earning her a guest appearance on “The David Letterman Show.” Now, living in Manhattan and working as a psychiatric social worker with over 30 years experience, she dives into her memories of marathon swimming, her journey with bipolar disorder, and living well with supportive treatment.
After her brother’s death, a teenage girl must find healing by recounting memories of music and origami.
For those who are hopeful and those with strong beliefs. These films convey strong bonds and very intense moments for those who might feel the same way. Fragments of different lives of different types of people, who are all in the lookout for something similar…
Distraught from his recent breakup, Ram storms out of therapy after confronting his therapist Rinat’s perceived ineffectiveness. However, an unexpected terror attack nearby forces Ram back. Amidst the city’s lockdown, the two realize they’re going to spend the next hours together, creating conflict between Ram, who is stuck with the woman he feels bears the responsibility of keeping him sane, and Rinat, who faces the challenge of maintaining her professional facade.
Sabina, a 22-year-old medical student, is tasked with burying her grandfather’s ashes in Rutki-Kossaki, Poland. According to her grandfather’s will, she must enlist the help of her estranged half-uncle, Mietek, a 78-year-old farmer and Rutki-Kossaki local. As Sabina and Mietek navigate their contrasting values and personalities—her quiet demeanor and trust in scientific progress contrasting with his outspoken attitude and naturalist mindset—the story explores themes of mortality, generational grief, and how family lineage can lead the heart to peace.
After Inés and her grandmother learn about a military coup breaking out in their home country, the young woman tries desperately to get ahold of her loved ones back home. However, as the night progresses, doubt, pain and powerlessness start to take hold of Inés, threatening to destroy her relationship with her grandmother and her sanity…
Claire hasn’t seen her childhood best friend Alice in years, and she’s content to keep it that way. But when her headstrong older sister Heidi drags her to Alice’s wedding anyway, she meets a little boy who reminds her a little too much of herself.
Yuheng plans to settle in London after graduating from college to escape from his divorced parents. Before leaving his hometown in China, he went to the temple to visit his Taoist grandpa. He thought no one cared about him. However, it turns out to be that they just don’t how to love each other.
Three girlfriends check in their baggage at the airport, but one is carrying a little more than the others. As they travel along the conveyor belt to security, can she hide what’s inside?
In a shocking display witnessed by the entire township, Amado murders his lifelong friend, Esteban. Through a retrospective lens, the narrative unfolds from three distinct perspectives: the townspeople, Amado, and Sofía. Revealing the complex tapestry of motivations, secrets, and circumstances that culminated in this tragic event.
What is the meaning of reality when you live in the past?
30-year old Alula has retreated to a remote cabin in the woods, seeking to get away from a traumatic event that continues to haunt her. In the film, two disparate worlds are interwoven: on the one hand, the genuine reality of the cabin, and on the other hand, a dark, abstract limbo, which is a manifestation of Alula’s trauma.
Together with her partner, Orpheo, Alula attempts to come to grips with reality, but her trauma world continues to expand and interject. The supposedly safe cabin turns into an arena of internal strife. Reality and fantasy blend together as Alula relives her trauma.
The film is a hypnotising journey through Alula’s journey of processing her trauma, challenging the viewer to walk the fine line between the real and the imaginary. A raw and poetic exploration of the destructive and transformative power of confronting one’s shadow.
In the last summer vacation before coming of age, Xiao Nan returned to her hometown where she grew up as a child and heard about the recent situation of her cousin Li Nian. So, she went alone to the city where her sister worked and uncovered many private secrets about her growth. Grandpa once said that the days of the past could be dried by the sun, so, how has your summer been?
“The Day of Cucurbitaceae” follows Ron, a bitter man on a supermarket trip, humorously venting about his wife, their strained marriage, and her fitness obsession. His musings on “cucurbitaceae” mirror his frustrations, culminating in a small triumph as he buys a steak and learns a trivial fact, reclaiming a shred of control.
On a couple’s trip, a city girl will visit the country house of her boyfriend’s grandfather, who comes from the old Chilean landowning aristocracy. During her stay, the young woman will discover the cruelest and darkest edges of old traditions rooted in the Chilean countryside.
Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughs. Ranging from unexpected twists, to awkward, light-hearted comedy, this block will have all you need to drift your mind from any troubles. Sometimes, the best stories are the funniest ones.
The animated film Our Gift to the World deals with world-renowned personalities who were born in the Czechia, and one indecent graffiti unknown in the world except the Czechia, which only Czechs know. They have been passing it on conspiratorially for five hundred years. In the twentieth century, this symbol of a woman’s lap got out of enclosures and walls and into the top of Czech culture.
In Awaiting the Lightning Bolt, Renato, an eccentric Renaissance inventor, dares the impossible: capturing a lightning bolt in a jar! Fuelled by ambition and defying the skepticism of his peers, he races against time in a thrilling journey, where each storm offers an extraordinary glimpse into the mysteries of nature and the power of love.
In a world populated entirely by puppets who are unaware of their condition, a young couple finds themselves aimlessly wandering through an amusement park, yearning for excitement. He is a workaholic, consumed by his job, while she is on the brink of motherhood. Little do they know that their lives are about to be forever transformed.
Bobel, a poisonous little mushroom, dreams of becoming a cook at his village market. But the prejudices of the villagers will make his task difficult.
“Stoned for Christmas” is a multimedia whirlwind and a love letter to weed. This short film follows the adventures of one cannabis courier delivering at Christmastime.
Growing up can be fun, dramatic, and vulnerable, all at the same time. Immersing ourselves through their highs and lows of self-discovery, and allowing us to rethink our past, this showcase proves that the journey to adulthood is as transformative as it is unforgettable.
As a young gymnast prepares for competition, a sinister truth is revealed about her coach.
Yamila is suddenly paid a visit by her long lost daughter, Sofia, who she had given up for adoption over 18 years ago.
A human resources professional must teach a timid new hire how to perform empathy. As she instructs him through a series of social behaviors, they form an unlikely connection.
Summer 1990. Elsa and her father go on vacation to the South of France. They meet up with old friends and their four children in a house lost in the hills. Immediately, the complicity between adults and children is rekindled. But Elsa senses a growing tension and secretly worries.
As her memories begin to fade, a woman in the autumn of her life spends her days with a teenage girl—a reflection of her younger self—whose profound presence forces her to confront her memories and, ultimately, her sense of self. This series of vignettes explores memory loss, identity, and the cycles of life.
At the secretive Bletchley Park during the Second World War, an intelligence analyst feels the weight of the world on her shoulders as she’s forced to confront the cost of war and the barriers set before her. Inspired by the true story of the writer/director’s grandmother.
A group of young punk rockers get swept up into the surge of third wave emo. Spiraling through the fame, fun, & ultimately extreme fallout as the scene gives way to changing times when larger genres taint the shine of a well loved scene.
Abandoned by the roommate she’d been expecting to live with, Caroline finds herself stuck in a new city alone, in an apartment and neighborhood she can’t afford.
A sleep-deprived man caught in a series of nightmares must confront his fears and childhood memories to wake up on time — or risk missing a life-changing interview.
Earthworms is a short Sci-Fi adventure film about a Martian girl who steals a spaceship and travels through the stars in an attempt to prove to her skeptical neighbor that life on Earth exists. She discovers a land left barren from decades of climate change, but meets a teenage boy wandering the desert on his motorcycle and the two make an exchange that will change their lives.
After the death of his best friend, we follow Dustin on a grief-induced bender for one. Amidst the chaos, he accidentally mixes her ashes with a fat slug of cocaine, and to his utter confusion, Ashleigh appears. He realises the more ashes he combines with the ever-growing quantity of drugs, the more vivid Ashleigh becomes, and the longer she stays. They proceed to have the time of their lives. Dusty goes to great lengths to keep her memory alive, taking his mind and body to places they were never meant to go.
Two actors’ love-hate relationship comes to a head when they suspect the Phantom of the Black Box may be lurking in the shadows.
These are stories of fighters. Of those who aren’t afraid to be knocked down and build strength to stand back up again. For those with fearless spirits and those who are bold and courageous.
Após uma enchente devastar a pequena cidade de Estrela do Sul, a jovem Maria Flor embarca em uma jornada mágica e desafiadora para salvar sua mãe doente. A única cura está em um remédio feito com raros ovos de vagalumes. Determinada, Maria Flor explora os recantos do município, onde encontra personagens inusitados: como o otimista carroceiro Felizardo, que lhe ensina sobre esperança, e o melancólico caminhoneiro Zé Firmino, que carrega histórias de saudade e perda.
The film “1% of War” by Denys Khrystov is a short, concise documentary composed of several stories united by one location, one time frame, and one war. The film includes the evacuations of various people and not only people that took place in the Avdiivka direction during the final days of the battle for the city.
Luigi is a boy with music in his blood. This is not just a figure of speech; music actually flows in his blood. His parents subject him to medical examinations to understand the origin of the problem, but no one can solve the mystery. Only a specialist doctor is able to make a diagnosis: Luigi does indeed have music in his blood, but he also has a rarer and more serious syndrome…
Either making us hold onto the edge of our seats or having us on an emotional edge; these films will transport us. They will not only convey horror in its mystique and suspenseful ways; it will also portray the terrifying world we live in.
A compelling lineup of dramatic films that delve into the depths of the human experience. From the chaos of groundbreaking inventions to the personal struggles of self-worth, these narratives capture the emotional turmoil and complex decisions faced by individuals. With themes ranging from trauma and identity to addiction and self-discovery, each story paints a raw, unflinching portrait of the human condition in a world that often feels uncertain and overwhelming.
This documentary collection highlights individuals and communities breaking barriers. From the forest defenders of the Amazon to the refugee skaters in Ukraine, these films showcase resilience, courage, and the pursuit of justice. Through powerful stories of empowerment, compassion, and collective action, this block reminds us of the strength found in shared purpose and the determination to make a difference in the world.
A collection of films that explore the absurdity of life’s challenges through humor. From a freelancer desperate to impress a trendy agency to a funeral director unraveling an unexpected mystery, these comedies showcase a blend of quirky characters, surreal situations, and laugh-out-loud moments. The perfect reminder that even in the most bizarre of circumstances, laughter is often the best way to cope.
This session weaves together horror, experimental cinema, and music video, where fear, self-reflection, and the power of sound intersect. From chilling encounters with the supernatural to the internal struggles of personal and environmental crises, these films explore the dark sides of the human experience. The music video “The Words” adds a layer of existential reflection, where communication is drowned out by modern noise. Prepare to journey through a collection of films that will leave you questioning the invisible forces that shape our world.
SESSION 1 – THE WEIGHT OF ECHOES
SESSION 2 – SONIC RHYTHMS
SESSION 3 – FRAGMENTS OF REALITY
SESSION 4 – SHORT AND SWEET
SESSION 5 – FALLING IN
SESSION 6 – FRAMES OF THEM
SESSION 7 – ON THE EDGE
SESSION 1 – THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES
SESSION 2 – AS GOOD AS IT GETS
SESSION 3 – BRAVEHEART
SESSION 4 – AMERICAN BEAUTY
SESSION 5 – SCREAM
SESSION 6 – TERMS OF ENDEARMENT
SESSION 7 – GOOD WILL HUNTING
SESSION 8 – STAND BY ME
BLOCK 1 – LOVE
BLOCK 2 – FREEDOM
BLOCK 3 – BEAUTY
BLOCK 4 – TRUTH
BLOCK 5 – FEAR
BLOCK 6 – TRUST
BLOCK 7 – ADRENALINE
BLOCK 1 – LOUDER & LOUDER
BLOCK 2 – RITES OF PASSAGE
BLOCK 3 – LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH
