Hip-Hop Royalty Meets Hollywood: Slick Rick, Stormzy, and More Ignite Opening Night of the 21st HollyShorts Film Festival

The 21st Annual HollyShorts Film Festival returns to Hollywood from August 7–17, 2025, bringing together visionary storytellers, iconic artists, and emerging talent from around the world. As an Oscar®-qualifying event, HollyShorts is internationally recognized for celebrating the best in short-form cinema across genres, drama, animation, documentary, experimental, and more.

Opening night will feature an eclectic and powerful lineup of films that span continents, styles, and perspectives. Among the highlights is TOO GOOD, directed by Meron Alon and produced by Arjun Yadav. The film follows a recently deceased man as he arrives at the Gates of Heaven, where he faces an unconventional interview with God to determine his afterlife. Starring Jean Smart (Hacks, Babylon) and Lil Rel Howery (Get Out, Free Guy), the film balances humor and spirituality with originality.

Slick Rick’s VICTORY, executive produced by Idris Elba, is a groundbreaking visual album that defies genre and convention. Shot across three continents and featuring contributions from Nas and Giggs, the film explores identity, legacy, and artistic evolution through stylized performances and vérité-style filmmaking. With British actors portraying Rick at various stages of life, VICTORY is both a personal reflection and a cultural statement—celebrating imagination, resilience, and the power of storytelling.

Andrew Leeds’ BULLDOZER delivers dark comedy with emotional depth. The film centers on Jo, a woman whose life unravels after discovering her boyfriend has been secretly seeing sex workers. Her misguided attempt to win him back leads to a 5150 psychiatric hold, where a personal breakdown may become a breakthrough. Produced by Rhett Reese and Joanna Leeds, the film features a stellar cast including Mary Steenburgen, Joanna Leeds, Nat Faxon, Tim Bagley, Allen Leech, Kate Burton, Chris “CP” Powell, and Nick Armstrong.

In ROAD KILL, directed by Ryan Farhoudi and produced by Sophie Kargman, a desolate stretch of highway becomes the setting for a chilling discovery. When Adam Reetz stumbles upon a lifeless body, the night spirals into a haunting thriller. The ensemble cast includes Skyler Gisondo, Jonathan Tucker, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Chris Sheffield.

BIG MAN, from Apple and #Merky Films stars global music icon Stormzy in a heartfelt tale of rediscovery. Directed by Oscar® winner Aneil Karia and filmed entirely on iPhone, the short follows a former rap star who forms a surprising bond with two fearless kids. What begins as an unlikely encounter becomes a journey of joy, healing, and new beginnings.

Todd Wiseman Jr’s., ****** (FIVE STARS) is a gripping short film that follows a French teenager’s trail of death and Directed bydestruction across Florida—all before dinnertime. Produced by Christa Boarini, the film stars Milo Machado-Graner (Anatomy of a Fall).

Set against the harsh backdrop of a Zimbabwean rubbish dump, RISE tells the inspiring story of a spirited young boy determined to become a boxer. Directed by Jessica J. Rowlands and produced by Joe Njagu, the film stars Tongayi Chirisa (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) and introduces Sikhanyiso Ngwenya. It’s a moving tale about perseverance, dignity, and hope in the face of abandonment.

Rounding out the opening night is EM AND SELMA GO GRIFFIN HUNTING, a 1930s-set allegorical coming-of-age story about the bond between mothers and daughters. Directed by Alexander Thompson and produced by Roger Mayer, the film stars Milly Shapiro (Hereditary) and Pollyanna McIntosh (The Walking Dead), offering a whimsical yet haunting exploration of familial ties and the monsters we chase, real or imagined.

As HollyShorts enters its third decade, it continues to shine as a global hub for filmmakers and creatives. Beyond the screenings, the festival features industry panels, pitch sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. With its four Oscar®-qualifying awards and a reputation for discovering tomorrow’s biggest voices, HollyShorts 2025 is set to deliver another year of unforgettable stories and cinematic breakthroughs.