Earlier tonight it was a Spectacular OPENING NIGHT of the 22nd Annual 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival, at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres & Ovation Hollywood, in Hollywood, with stars from film, music, and sport, giving interviews on the red carpet, and given awards at the Opening Night Awards Ceremony, and then the 1st set of world premieres of short films, followed by an amazing after-party!
This is one of the largest programs in its history — more than 400 films selected from thousands of submissions worldwide. This year’s Oscar®-qualifying lineup includes Renée Zellweger’s directorial debut They, Martin Freeman in Little Bug, Michael Keaton directing and starring in Sweetwater, Michael Caine voicing Bobby, and projects executive produced by Zoe Saldaña, Margot Robbie, Jordan Peele, Barry Keoghan, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Serena Williams, and Stephen Curry — alongside music videos from Gorillaz and Jack White, two new film funds totaling $40,000 in prizes, and hundreds of discoveries from around the globe! The HollyShorts Film Festival runs August 13 to 23.
Our news team did interviews on the VIP red carpet, that were held in the exact same spot as where the Oscars are held each year: on the Ovation Hollywood Street Level on the Hollywood Blvd entrance.
On the red carpet were: Luminary Award Honoree: Vanessa Hudgens (actress & singer) in the center of the below photo: 
Festival Honoree: Zach Cregger(Resident Evil), Festival Honoree: Lana Condor (To All the Boys film series and Jubilation Lee in X-Men: Apocalypse), Festival Honoree: Miguel (singer-songwriter and record producer), Festival Honoree: Alexandra Shipp (Barbie), Festival Honoree: Jim Cummings (Christopher Robin), and special guests: Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Die Hart), Claudia Doumit (THE BOYS +NBC’S TIMELESS), Jonathan Kite (Two Broke Girls + Family Guy), Ben Proudfoot 2 x Academy Award Winner, Olivia Ormond (Call Me Crazy) Marabina Jaimes (Emmy Award Winner), Vic Mensa (Rapper), Pete Gardner (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Brian Tee (A House of Dynamite, Reacher), Austin Rivers (Former NBA Player/Sports Analyst).
Vanessa Hudgens received the Luminary Award, celebrating a career that has evolved from global breakout star to acclaimed actor, producer and entrepreneur. From blockbuster franchises and beloved musicals to acclaimed independent films, Hudgens has continually reinvented herself while championing bold creative voices. She also attended the HollyShorts opening night presentation of her latest film, America.
“It’s a real honor to receive the Luminary Award from HollyShorts. I’ve always believed in supporting filmmakers and championing original storytelling, and it’s exciting to celebrate the incredible creativity and passion that short films bring to our industry,” said Vanessa Hudgens.
Superstar Actress: Michelle Rodríguez also made a brief appearance on the red carpet, that you can see on our show. Michelle Rodríguez is an American actress and producer with over 50 acting credits. She won Best Debut Performance awards at the Gotham Awards and Independent Spirit Awards. She is known for her roles in The Fast and the Furious franchise, Resident Evil, S.W.A.T., Machete, and Alita: Battle Angel. She also played Ana Lucia Cortez on the TV series Lost.
Also on the red carpet, that you can see in the below photo on the extreme right- in the background in the black Tux: Camilo Triana the owner of Cotrini Skincare, and major sponsor of the 2025 AND 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival: 
Our TV Show Host: Margie Rey had a great interview with the sponsors of this HollyShorts Film Festival: Cotrini Skincare, where you can WAKE UP TO A YOUNGER YOU, and discover the ultimate, science-backed solution to reverse aging while you sleep in JUST 14 DAYS! Margie interviewed the owners of this company: Camilo Triana and Christopher Kelsey who went into detail about all the benefits of using their great products, and offered our viewers a 20% discount by using the password code: HollyShorts when you go to their Website: https://cotrini.com !
For Beauty Sleep Essentials their products combine advanced ingredients and breakthrough technologies to deliver visible results the moment you wake up! Their ULTRA HYDRATING NIGHT CREAM is Infused with Salmon DNA, it boosts collagen, enhances elasticity, and reduces wrinkles for radiant skin every morning. DEVELOPED IN SOUTH KOREA: Combining state-of-the-art technology and expertise from the heart of the beauty industry. Their formulas are backed by rigorous clinical testing to ensure effectiveness and safety. ANTI-AGING BENEFITS: Diminishes fine lines, boosts elasticity, and provides intense hydration for age-defying look. Their formula works its magic while you sleep, ensuring you wake up with a radiant glow. It is SUITABLE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES, by Delivering exceptional results whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin! Their ground-breaking technology delivers remarkable age-defying results up to 10x times faster than conventional treatments, To Transform Your Skin within 14 days! Tested by certified dermatologists, their cream was, assessed as “Non-irritating” and safe for skin. Their cream quickly improves skin, reducing irritation and enhancing repair from the second day of treatment. Their Clinical Study for Anti-Aging showed impressive results within 2 weeks and a full transformation by 4 weeks, based on 34 participants! So order YOURS TODAY! 
There are many people, health experts, and even celebrities that are talking about the Secret to Youth: The Salmon-Sperm Facial—And How You Can Achieve Amazing Results! Camilo Triana says: “There’s always a new beauty treatment making waves. The latest to make a major media splash is “Salmon DNA”, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, derived from salmon sperm, after people revealed their experiences with salmon sperm injections to these new avant garde beauty treatments.The quest for youth has lead most of us to try unconventional treatments at some point in our beauty journeys. From snail mucin to activated-charcoal masks, the skincare industry is known for embracing odd ingredients. The salmon-sperm facial is more than a fad, promising remarkable benefits, boosting skin regeneration and stimulating collagen production. However, with an average cost of $500+ per session, Salmon DNA treatments are out of reach for many, but with Cotrini Skincare it is now affordable, so that you do not have to be Kim Kardashian to get beautiful skin, and look years younger! So today go to: https://cotrini.com/ to get started on a new younger looking and beautiful you!
At the awards the honorees were: Vanessa Hudgens: Luminary Award: 
Zach Cregger: Festival Honoree, Lana Condor: Festival Honoree, Miguel: Festival Honoree, Alexandra Shipp: Festival Honoree, and Jim Cummings: Festival Honoree. That was immediately followed by the 1st set of world premieres of short films: 
Opening Night I
Thursday, August 13 – 7:30 PM
- The Baddest Speechwriter of All – Ben Proudfoot, Stephen Curry
- Sweetwater – Michael Keaton
- For Niko – Alexandra Shipp
- Echoes – Alex Lanipekun
- DISC – Blake Winston Rice
- Meeting Your Maker – Gregory JM Kasunich
Opening Night II
Thursday, August 13 – 8:00 PM
- AMERICA – Laura New
- ENOUGH – Brian Tee
- Halfrican – Edgar Esteves, Vic Mensa
- Down the Length – Milo Edwards
- Woman Reclining on Grass – Claudia Doumit
- Get Her Back! – Leah Nanako Winkler
- PIGEONS – Amos Sussigan
- More in Common Part 1 – Arize Ifejika
The HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) #HSFF2026 is one of the world’s premier Academy Award®️-qualifying short film festivals, HollyShorts offers Oscar ® ️ qualification in four prestigious categories: Best Short Film Grand Prize, Best Live Action Short, Best Documentary Short and Best Animated Short. For more than two decades, the festival has served as a launchpad for emerging filmmakers, helping introduce audiences and the Academy alike to many of tomorrow’s Oscar-winning storytellers!
Some of the high-profile names who will adjudicate this year’s selection include: Alan Tudyk, Rita Ora, Alfre Woodard, Kelly Marie Tran, David Cross, Judy Greer, Andrew Rannells, and Katheryn Winnick headline a panel of actors, filmmakers, Academy Award-winning producers, and industry leaders who will judge the official selections across all competition categories, with winners of the top prizes becoming eligible for Oscar consideration.
The night ended with the official HollyShorts Film Festival opening night party, which was an amazing after-party that ran till 1 am in the morning! In this VIP invite only party, we were able to enjoy amazing food, drinks, dancing, VIP lounge, and birthday cake! Filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, investors, financiers and friends all mixed and mingled! We were lucky enough to meet Vanessa Hudgens, who was nice enough to pose for photos with us: 
She looked great in a beautiful white dress: 
Vanessa Anne Hudgens is an American actress and singer who rose to fame as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical Disney Channel movies. The role launched her into teen idol status and mainstream recognition. Hudgens made her film debut in the 2003 drama Thirteen and reprised her High School Musical role in the 2007 and 2008 sequels.
At this great party we also meet again for the 5th time as from other major Showbiz events: Carl Heely from the hit TV series: “Boardwalk Empire” : 
It was a pleasure to meet one of the actors – Carl Heely from a show that I like, and that I had just saw the night before: “Boardwalk Empire” that Stars Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award winning Actor: Steve Buscemi. Carl Heely is a little person involved in Atlantic City boardwalk entertainments. He is playing the co-star Nic Novicki. We had meet him at last year’s Spirit Awards, at the exclusive and private After-Party at the Carousel attraction right on the Santa Monica Pier, so he had remembered us, so he was again very nice to us and we had a fun time talking to him. Carl is in between all of us in the below photo, L – R: Steve, Carl Heely: “Boardwalk Empire,” Margie, and Matt: 
At the Party Photo OPP set up we meet the Producers of a great short film about the history of Messenger “Pigeons” On the extreme left is the Producer Dan Lund, and on the extreme right is the Writer: Julien M. Wagner: 
At they party there was a live DJ performing music as people danced, along with about 20 sections with high-end gourmet food from all around the world, including top of the line: Wagyu Beef, Asian specialties like Cavier and Sushi, desert and drinks. The Food and Beverage sponsors included: @sushilux_la
@goldenreservecaviar
@saucylosangeles
@flor_de_yema
@altadena_bakery
@awakechocolate
@_bloomingbouqcakes
@allaboutthecinnamonbaby
@empress1908gin
@glasrosefarm
@arnycacellars
@massicanwinery
@topochicousa
@smartwater
And many more! & DJ @fourhandsla spun the crowd into a frenzy on the dance floor!
They also had vendors there like Oufer Body Jewelry that gave away gift boxes of beautiful jewelry that is licensed from Universal City Studios from movies that they produce like “Wicked” and “Illumination’s MINIONS & Monsters“ To purchase your own collectible jewelry go to: ouferbodyjewelry.com and fokaiglobal.com.
The Owner: Frank, was nice enough to give me the collectible box of jewelry from the Universal City Studios’ movie: “Wicked” – Wicked X Oufer “Know Your Power” Letter Necklace. This “Know Your Power” letter necklace is inspired directly by a key line from Wicked For Good. Through clean typography and segmented lettering, it transforms an empowering message into a wearable statement — symbolizing inner strength, self-awareness, and quiet confidence. Why You’ll Love It: Iconic Movie Quote Design- “Know Your Power” serves as both a fan tribute and a personal affirmation. Segmented Letter Construction- Letters are linked with subtle connectors, creating gentle movement and visual rhythm. Polished Metal Finish- Smooth, reflective surfaces enhance clarity and modern appeal. Statement Necklace for Layering or Solo Wear- Designed to stand out on its own or pair seamlessly with other chains. Chain Length: 45mm+9mm (17.7″ + 3.5″ ):
The Illumination’s MINIONS & Monsters × OUFER is the Official MINIONS movie jewelry collection, that transforms cinematic “captured moments” into wearable body jewelry. The design reflects the chaotic and playful energy of the Minions universe, as if each moment is caught through a lens—raw, expressive, and full of life. James appears in an exaggerated motion pose, symbolizing unfiltered emotion and spontaneous humor: 
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