About HollyShorts Institute

HollyShorts Institute offers a 6-week intensive virtual course designed for aspiring filmmakers. You'll learn everything you need to know about short film production, from pre-production and budgeting to casting, production, post-production, marketing, and festival strategies. This course, organized by the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival team, equips you with the skills to bring your short film idea to life. Completed short films get programmed at one of the festival’s Monthly screening series at the historic TCL Chinese Theater.

Details

  • Duration: 6 weeks

  • Schedule: Tuesdays, 5 PM - 7 PM PT

  • Dates: September 24th - October 29th

  • Video on Demand: Available for 48 hours after each lecture

  • Office Hours: 3 sessions via Calendly

  • Application Deadline: August 23, 2024

Application

Interested parties must submit a letter stating their reason for application and a treatment detailing the project.

Application Fee: $20

Early Bird Deadline: August 2, 2024 / Regular Deadline: August 23, 2024

Total Course Fee: $950 / Deposit (upon acceptance): $200

Course Overview

HollyShorts Institute's 6-week course covers essential aspects of short film production. Start with learning production terms and crew roles, then move to script breakdown and budget management. Develop shooting schedules, storyboards, and call sheets in pre-production. Discover ways to maximize a no-budget production, followed by strategies for crowdfunding or festival submissions. Finally, learn marketing and distribution techniques to promote your film. Each week includes assignments like brainstorming script ideas, creating budgets, preparing shot lists, and developing content themes for marketing.

Faculty

Bri Castellini Independent filmmaker and screenwriting consultant, with experience in crowdfunding and festival strategy. Known for her short film "Ace and Anxious" and her podcast "Breaking Out of Breaking In". She has successfully launched over $25 million in crowdfunding campaigns.

Theo Dumont Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival and Co-Founder of the Mammoth Film Festival. As Managing Partner at Alta Global Media, Dumont spearheads media relations, publicity and strategic marketing communications campaigns for entertainment industry clients.

Daniel Sol Co-Founder/Co-Director. Sol has made significant contributions to the industry through roles at Lionsgate and as a co-founder of BITPIX and 88th Street Productions. He continues to champion emerging talent through various ventures, including the Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival.

Rewards, Benefits, Sponsorships

Shorts completed from the students will be screened at the HollyShorts Institute Graduate Monthly screening at the TCL Chinese Theater 

High Level Think Tank Panel Presented by the Institute-May 9/10 (virtual panel) promoted by the Festival

Scholarships available to reduce costs for participants.

Rules


Submitted project must be an ORIGINAL concept for a narrative short film (*if the project is an adaptation, you must provide documented proof that you hold the rights to this adaptation).

  • Projects must not have entered production or financing

  • Project materials must be submitted in English but the project itself may be in any language (please indicate your project’s original language if it is non-English). Please note all related activities for winners will be conducted in English (efforts will be made to accommodate other languages when possible).

  • Contestants retain all rights to their projects.

  • Feedback cannot be provided on any submissions.

  • Once an application is submitted, new or updated versions may not be submitted.

  • Entrants agree to indemnify and hold Hollyshorts Institute, including our employees, our officers, and our partners and affiliates, harmless against all claims arising out of entry or participation in the contest.

  • Hollyshorts Institute classes will be held once a week for six weeks, with assignments associated with each lecture and personalized feedback provided; while participants are not required to attend all classes and will be given VOD access to all lectures for the duration of the Institute, any assignments handed in late (more than 1 week after assigned) will not be given feedback 

  • Hollyshorts Institute will not be providing production funds or resources beyond education and community included during the 6 weeks of courses. Participants who want a screening slot in the graduation screening must produce their films and submit deliverables in a timely manner (TBD upon selection into the program) or they waive the right to the guaranteed screening

  • No refunds will be given for applications, or for participation in Hollyshorts Institute if selected once initial deposit has been submitted

By submitting to the Hollyshorts Institute, the applicant agrees to the following submission release rules:

  • You own or control the content of your script and any produced version of it. You have the full and exclusive right to submit the script to Hollyshorts Institute and no other person or corporation has any right, title or interest in the script. The script is not defamatory and does not infringe upon or violate the privacy rights, copyrights, trademarks, publicity or other intellectual or proprietary rights of any third party.

  • Hollyshorts Institute has the right to copy, use and distribute your submission package for the purpose of its evaluation and review. If selected, Hollyshorts Institute has the right to publicize the title and a description of the script as well as your name as the author and or director and or producer.

  • Hollyshorts Institute, its representatives or assigns, including the jury and mentors for this contest, may already, or in the future, be developing materials similar to the script. You acknowledge they have the unrestricted right to use these similar materials and you will have no right or recourse against Hollyshorts Institute, its representatives or assigns for use of these similar materials.