‘BLEEDER’ Director Jeremy Max on Turning Physical Pain Into Emotional Survival: “I Wanted to Give My Character the Win I Needed Myself”

Ahead of the psychological drama’s World Premiere at HollyShorts, the filmmaker discusses the personal tragedy behind the film, casting former professional boxer John Duddy, its visual language and the feature adaptation now in development. Jeremy Max’s BLEEDER began during a period when the filmmaker found himself questioning his relationship with the things he had once loved most. That introspection became the foundation for a psychological drama about … Continue reading ‘BLEEDER’ Director Jeremy Max on Turning Physical Pain Into Emotional Survival: “I Wanted to Give My Character the Win I Needed Myself”

Must-See Films at HollyShorts Film Festival 2026

With more than 430 films screening at this year’s Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival (August 13–23), narrowing the lineup isn’t easy. Here are standout shorts that should be high on your watchlist: Meeting Your Maker (Dir. Gregory J.M. Kasunich | Starring Jonathan Kite, Thomas Lennon, Lenny Jacobson & The Sklar Brothers) A brilliantly original comedy with a delightfully offbeat premise, Meeting Your Maker blends big laughs with surprisingly thoughtful ideas about identity … Continue reading Must-See Films at HollyShorts Film Festival 2026

HOLLYSHORTS FEATURE – Meeting Your Maker Is an Oscar-Worthy Masterpiece of Dark Comedy

Meeting Your Maker is one of those rare short films that catches you completely off guard. What begins as an outrageous premise, a beloved children’s television puppet contemplating suicide before his 300th episode, evolves into a surprisingly profound, emotionally resonant and genuinely unforgettable meditation on creativity, purpose and self worth. Writer director Gregory JM Kasunich has crafted something wonderfully original, a film that balances razor … Continue reading HOLLYSHORTS FEATURE – Meeting Your Maker Is an Oscar-Worthy Masterpiece of Dark Comedy

Coco Jourdana on Turning Personal Trauma Into Tribeca Drama ‘FAULT’: “It Was the First Time I Truly Voiced the Pain I Had Been Carrying”

Premiering at the Tribeca Festival, FAULT is an emotionally charged drama inspired by actress Coco Jourdana’s own experiences. Rather than focusing solely on the abuse itself, the film explores the lasting effects of trauma, examining how survivors navigate healing, identity, and resilience long after the initial experience. Set against the intensely competitive world of professional tennis, FAULT uses sport as both a literal setting and a metaphor for the … Continue reading Coco Jourdana on Turning Personal Trauma Into Tribeca Drama ‘FAULT’: “It Was the First Time I Truly Voiced the Pain I Had Been Carrying”

RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL – COWBOY is a Gripping Ride

COWBOY is an ambitious debut from filmmaker Nathan Grubbs that blends the grit of a classic western with the emotional sweep of a redemption drama. Set in the overlooked corners of New Orleans, the film follows Juno, a war veteran living on society’s margins whose desperate attempt to reclaim his former life spirals into tragedy when a botched heist takes a tragic turn. Grubbs, who also … Continue reading RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL – COWBOY is a Gripping Ride