Publicist Catherine Lyn Scott will moderate industry conversations on awards strategy and Oscar qualification as part of HollyShorts’ 2026 industry programme.

London Flair PR founder and publicist Catherine Lyn Scott will host two Oscar-focused industry panels at the 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival, bringing together filmmakers and industry experts to discuss awards campaigns, Academy Award qualification and navigating the road from the festival circuit to awards season.

The panels form part of HollyShorts’ programme of awards, casting and industry access events designed to give emerging and established filmmakers practical insight into the business of taking their work to a wider audience.

Filmmakers preparing to embark on awards campaigns can attend “Navigating Awards Season” on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 5:25 PM PDT at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, Mt. Olympus Room. Moderated by Scott, the panel will feature Academy Award winner David Breschel and Academy Award nominee Doug Roland.

The conversation will explore the realities of awards season and offer filmmakers insight into developing and navigating a campaign, building momentum around a project and positioning a film within an increasingly competitive awards landscape.

The following day, Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 4:30 PM PDT, Scott will join festival strategist Rebekah Louisa Smith, widely known as The Film Festival Doctor, and Academy Award winner Andrew Calberg for “How to Qualify Your Short Film for the Oscars” at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

The panel will break down the qualification and submission process for short filmmakers with ambitions of reaching the Academy Awards, offering practical guidance on understanding qualifying routes and preparing a film for its awards journey.

For independent filmmakers, understanding the transition from festival success to a viable awards campaign can be as important as the filmmaking itself. The two HollyShorts discussions aim to demystify that process while giving attendees direct access to professionals with experience navigating festivals, publicity and awards.

As founder of London Flair PR, Catherine Lyn Scott works in film publicity and awards campaigns, helping filmmakers and projects build visibility through strategic press and industry positioning. Her participation at HollyShorts brings a publicity perspective to conversations that can help filmmakers better understand how festival strategy, industry exposure and awards campaigning intersect.

The panels take place as part of the 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival industry programme in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Panel Details

Navigating Awards Season — From Oscar and BAFTA Winners
Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 5:25 PM PDT
Location: Loews Hollywood Hotel, Mt. Olympus Room
Moderator: Catherine Lyn Scott, London Flair PR
Guests: David Breschel, Academy Award Winner; Doug Roland, Academy Award Nominee

How to Qualify Your Short Film for the Oscars
Sunday, August 16, 2026 | 4:30 PM PDT
Location: Loews Hollywood Hotel
Featuring: Rebekah Louisa Smith (The Film Festival Doctor), Andrew Calberg and Catherine Lyn Scott

Tickets and Information:
https://hollyshorts2026.eventive.org/schedule?search=loews

ABOUT HOLLYSHORTS

The HollyShorts Film Festival is an Academy Awards®, BAFTA and Canadian Screen Awards-qualifying festival dedicated to showcasing and advancing the work of emerging and established short filmmakers from around the world.

Through screenings, industry programs, panels, workshops and networking events, HollyShorts connects filmmakers with audiences and entertainment-industry leaders while championing innovative short-form storytelling.