For short films looking for a long
awards run, LA’s Hollyshorts Festival
has become an essential destination.
With an enviable track record for
putting so many projects on the
path to Oscars and BAFTAs for two
decades, this gateway to greatness
attracts the cream of the crop each
year.
The latest edition drew plenty of star
power too with films starring,
produced or directed by the likes of
Tom Hanks, John Travolta, Cate
Blanchett, Queen Latifah, Matt
Damon, Ben Affleck, Ricky Gervais,
Eva Longoria and Tom Holland all
among the 400 entries.
But in the end it was a movie made
by risings stars and relative
newcomers which won the Grand
Prix for the best short in the 10-day
festival. We Were Meant To – set in a
world where black men can fly –
received a $60,000 prize from
Panavision and automatic
qualification for consideration in the
Oscar best live action short category.
The jury making the selections
included Oscar nominated actor
Chiwetel Eliofor (12 Years a Slave),
Avatar star Sam Worthington, Star
Trek: Strange New Worlds actress
Christina Chong and this magazine’s
editor Sandro Monetti, who
co-hosted the opening ceremony
with journalist and broadcaster
Zorianna Kit.
Sandro Monetti