OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – The Mourning Of’s Merced Elizondo “I underestimated the power of grief”

Fresh off its Oscar® qualification, The Mourning Of has emerged as one of the most powerful short films of the season, a deeply intimate exploration of grief, healing, and the unspoken rituals that bind families across generations. Written and directed by Mexican-American filmmaker Merced Elizondo, the award-winning film has captivated audiences worldwide with its quiet emotional resonance and cultural specificity, while breaking ground as a rare Latino-led, independently … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – The Mourning Of’s Merced Elizondo “I underestimated the power of grief”

OSCAR CONTENDER SERIES – Dust to Dreams: Idris Elba and Mo Abudu Redefine African Storytelling at TIFF

By Jane Fitzgerald When Idris Elba steps behind the camera, audiences expect artistry that resonates as deeply as his performances. With Dust to Dreams, his latest directorial venture in collaboration with Nigerian superproducer Mo Abudu, Elba delivers a tender, musical meditation on love, legacy, and reconciliation, set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos. Selected for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Short Cuts program, the film underscores … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDER SERIES – Dust to Dreams: Idris Elba and Mo Abudu Redefine African Storytelling at TIFF

FILM BUSINESS 2026 OSCAR CONTENDER SERIES – Jack Howard’s The Second Time Around: An Oscar-Qualified Short That Lingers Long After It Ends

By Jane Fitzgerald With The Second Time Around, filmmaker Jack Howard makes a strikingly confident leap from comedy into dramatic territory, crafting a short that feels both intimate and cinematic in scope. Already Oscar and BAFTA qualified, and a recent Best Sci-Fi winner at HollyShorts, the film arrives with real awards momentum, and deservedly so. Set on a rain-drenched London night, the story pairs rising British star Hannah … Continue reading FILM BUSINESS 2026 OSCAR CONTENDER SERIES – Jack Howard’s The Second Time Around: An Oscar-Qualified Short That Lingers Long After It Ends

HOLLYSHORTS SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Hayder Rothschild Hoozer – Producer of ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS

In this interview, producer Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer, discusses his BAFTA-winning short ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, which recently screened at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival. You have firsthand experience from time spent in Ukraine during active bombardment. How did that lived experience shape the way you produced this film? I had been to Ukraine several times before the film, even before the 2022 invasion. One of my … Continue reading HOLLYSHORTS SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Hayder Rothschild Hoozer – Producer of ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS

HOLLYSHORTS SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Guy Trevellyan – Director of PLASTIC SURGERY

In this interview, director Guy Trevellyan discusses his thrilling short film PLASTIC SURGERY which recently screened at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival. What was the original spark that led to PLASTIC SURGERY? Was there a specific news item or study that triggered the story? The original idea for PLASTIC SURGERY came from working alongside The Ocean Agency, where I was able to see first hand … Continue reading HOLLYSHORTS SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Guy Trevellyan – Director of PLASTIC SURGERY