This year’s HollyShorts film festival has begun, and while this year’s festival has gone virtual, there is still no shortage of amazing films to watch. Every creator here has done something amazing, especially as the year has gone on and so many things have happened to complicate this medium. Congratulations to every film that has been spotlighted at this year’s festival.
This year’s comedies star some big names and have really pushed the envelope in terms of how to craft a good comedy in a small sample size. All of my favorites from this block will be listed first, with the rest of the incredible entries below them.
A Simple F*cking Gesture
Dir. Jesse Shamata
Starring Paul Bates, Christy Bruce, Chuck Shamata
A couple in traffic argues the morals of allowing someone in front of them in traffic, and the courtesy of the thank you.
This film is simple and hilarious, taking the common courtesies of traffic morality to another level, while still making it entertaining and something we can all identify with. This was one of the funniest films of the festival for me.
Basic
Dir. Chelsea Devantez
Starring Devantez, Nelson Franklin, Georgia Mischak
While only a couple of minutes long, this really turns the concept of social media criticism into a hilarious experience and has a great twist at the end.
Come F*ck My Robot
Dir. Mercedes Bryce Morgan
Writers Reuben Guberek, Katrina Kudlick
Starring Ian Abramson, Nicholas Alexander, Catherine Tapling
A short film based on a real Craigslist post, based on the film’s title. This is a very weird, but very fun, film that explores consent, awkward hookups, and the intervention of others in a really interesting and hilarious way.
The Shabbos Goy
Dir. Talia Osteen
Starring Milana Vayntraub, Devere Rogers
A Jewish woman has to enlist the help of a stranger to turn off an embarrassing electronic device on the sabbath. This is a very silly, but very fun, look into the way things are done in the Jewish community, especially on the day of rest.
Also featured in this hilarious block of films:
3 Texts Away From A D*ck Pic
Dir. Marty Fortney
Starring Nicole Sullivan
A woman goes on a series of dates, pushing a button to send men away after finding flaws about them, doing everything she can to make a genuine connection.
A Piece of Cake
Dir. The Bragg Brothers
Starring Rich Sommer, Natalie Britton, Riona O’Donnell
A California dad turns to illegal means to get a banned cake decoration for his daughter’s birthday.
Blocks
Dir./Writer Bridget Moloney
Starring Claire Coffee, Mark Webber, Phoebe Sinclair
A mother of two finds that she has begun spontaneously vomiting toy blocks.
F*cking Ghosts
Dir. Jason Cook
Starring Isabel Herrman, Natalie Lynch, Kristi Simpson, Ben Morrison
A self-explanatory story of spirits with a wild side.
Holy Sh!t
Dir. Jacob Meszaros
Starring Fiona Hardingham, Conrad Angel Corral, J. Michael Feldman
After the death of a parent, they go on a religious journey.
I’m Alright If You’re Alright
Dir. Ben York Jones
Starring Dre Babinksi, Eric Edelstein, Moses Storm, Riki Lindholme
A young woman moves into a communal living space and forms a bond with a housemate while looking for a new mattress.
Speech and Debate
Dir. Cassandra Jean Amell
Starring Stephen Amell, Aisha Tyler, Genevieve Buechner
Two speech and debate coaches from different ways of life come head to head at a tournament.
The Adventures of Whit
Dir. Andrew Barchilon
Starring Josette barchilon, Celeste pechous, Stephanie beatriz
A stripper and her foul-mouthed imaginary friend investigate the death of a customer, only to find some surprising answers.
They Won’t Last
Dir. Portlynn Tagavi
Starring Jack de Sena, Brittany Renee Finamore
After attending a wedding, a marriage-averse woman finds out her boyfriend is preparing to propose, and their ensuing argument gives a lot of insight to their own strength as a couple.
These films can be found at this year’s festival website, hosted by BitPix, and ticketing information can be found at hollyshorts.com. It’s going to be an amazing festival this year.
