Los Angeles, CA (August 1st, 2026). Alfre Woodard, Alan Tudyk, Andrew Rannells, Katheryn Winnick, and Kelly Marie Tran. Additionally, David Cross and Rita Ora join the high-profile names set to serve on the jury. They form the HSFF 2026 jury for the 22nd HollyShorts Film Festival.
The Oscar– and BAFTA-qualifying festival runs from Aug. 13–23 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood. HSFF has assembled a jury spanning award-winning industry professional. They are actors, filmmakers, producers and industry executives to select this year’s winners across its Academy Award-qualifying competitions.
Woodard, the Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning actress joins a huge lineup. Which includes Judy Greer, Hope Davis, Rhys Darby, Alexandra Breckenridge, and Alanna Ubach. Additionally, Cory Michael Smith, Rachel Nichols, Natasha Leggero and Katharine Isabelle.
The jury also features Academy Award-winning producers Guneet Monga Kapoor and Kim Magnusson. Oscar-nominated filmmakers Adam Graves, Lee Knight and James Dean. Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Ali Asgari, actresses Sibel Kekilli, Radhika Apte and Marina Sirtis, and breakout performer Megan Lawless.
Leading the festival’s sports competition jury is two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis. He is joins NBA agent and DNA Agency founder Colby Shinto.
Jurors will evaluate the festival’s official selections across HollyShorts’ Academy Award-qualifying competitions, with winners of the Best Short Film Grand Prize, Best Live Action Short, Best Animated Short and Best Documentary Short becoming eligible for Oscar consideration.
“I am honored to participate in this year’s HollyShorts Film Fest. I have always been a fan of the short film format and the poetry it inspires,” said Alan Tudyk.
“As a fan of independent film in every medium, I am honored to serve on the HollyShorts Jury this year. Shorts play an important role in every filmmaker’s journey and I’m excited to recognize this art form,” added Kelly Marie Tran.
Katheryn Winnick said, “An Oscar-qualifying stage built on two decades of believing in new voices, I’m honored to help decide who earns it this year.”
Founded in 2005, HollyShorts has grown into one of the leading international showcases for short-form filmmaking, presenting emerging talent alongside established creators. This year’s festival will screen 430 films from around the world while hosting filmmaker Q&As, industry panels and its annual awards ceremony.
HollyShorts 2026 Jury
Aaron Stanford, Adam Graves, Alan Tudyk, Alanna Ubach, Alexandra Breckenridge, and Alfre Woodard. Ali Asgari, Andrew Rannells, Bella Glanville, Callie Hernandez, and Catherine Whitfield. Cory Michael Smith, David Cross, Doug Roland, Eddie Perez, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Hope Davis.
Ido Samuel, James Dean, Jennifer Bertling, Judy Greer, Katharine Isabelle, Katheryn Winnick, Kelly Marie Tran, Kian Kavousi, Kim Magnusson, Leah N.H. Philpott, Lee Knight, Maria Akay, Marina Sirtis, Megan Lawless, Natasha Leggero, Radhika Apte, Rachel Nichols, Ramin Zahed, Rhys Darby, Rita Ora, Sarah Stunt and Sibel Kekilli.
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