Happy Monday, Creative Army!

For the past decade, it’s been one of the greatest honors of my career to watch the Stage 32 Short Film Program evolve into one of the premier discovery showcases for emerging filmmakers around the globe.

This year, I’m proud to announce that we are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of our Stage 32 Short Film Program with a worldwide premiere at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival, one of the most prestigious Oscar-qualifying fests in the world. This program has always represented what Stage 32 stands for: access, opportunity, and creative empowerment. And there’s no better partner to celebrate that with than HollyShorts.

"HollyShorts is the benchmark most up-and-comers are striving for - and the festival is impressively dedicated to advancing the careers of its filmmakers", says Daniel Sol, Co-Founder of HollyShorts. "We are equally impressed, dedicated, and also thrilled in our partnership with Stage 32, the only platform worldwide that is connecting and educating filmmakers through its social network and incredibly supportive community. Through this exciting alliance, we pledge to enable the learning and continued success of all filmmakers, worldwide."

"Stage 32's continued mission is to provide film creatives across the globe opportunity, access, and education designed to advance their careers", says Stage 32 Founder & CEO, Richard Botto. "We are thrilled to partner with Hollyshorts and are excited to share in their continued commitment toward helping filmmakers shorten their path to success."

Whether you’re in Los Angeles or flying in from halfway across the world, we hope you’ll join us at the TCL Chinese Theatre to support this incredible new slate of finalists. You’ll also get to take part in a red carpet experience, live filmmaker Q&A, and post-screening networking with our team and the industry decision-makers who attend this legendary festival.

Best of all, Stage 32 Members receive an exclusive 25% off discount on tickets and passes!

Mark Your Calendar – Premiere Details:

Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025

Time:

• 4:00 PM: Red Carpet & Pre-Screening Networking
• 5:00 PM: Screening & Filmmaker Q&A
• 7:00 PM: Post-Screening Celebration

Location: TCL Chinese Theatre 6, Hollywood & Highland, Los Angeles

Dress Code: Hollywood Cool

Tickets: Get Your Ticket Here and use code: Stage32HSFF2025 for 25% off!

*Note: You must have a Hollyshorts ticket in order to attend the screening.*

Congratulations to This Year’s Incredible Finalists:

• WEI-LAI – Grand Prize Winner – Directed by Zhongyu “Robin” Wang
• SOMETIMES I IMAGINE YOUR FUNERAL – Directed by Vince Dixon
• PROM NIGHT – Directed by Samantha MacAdam
• TREASURE IMAGINATION – Directed by Scott Rice
• THE VISIT – Directed by Millie Y Xu
• THE LONE PIPER – Directed by Matthew Kravchuk
• WAITING FOR THE MAN – Directed by Gerard Lambkin
• PERFECT – Written by Katy Dore (Winner of the Stage 32 x PSWIFT Short Script Contest)

Each of these artists embodies the spirit of independent filmmaking—bold, original, and unrelentingly passionate. I couldn’t be prouder to share their work with the world on such a prestigious stage.

Join Us Today on Instagram Live!

To kick things off, join Stage 32 Head of Community Ashley Smith and HollyShorts Co-Founder Daniel Sol for a special Instagram Live TODAY at 12:00 PM PT.

They’ll be talking about the history of our 10-year partnership, the upcoming HolluShorts Festival, and the new Stage 32 Global Contest Hub!

Follow @Stage32 and @HollyShorts so you don’t miss it!

To all our filmmakers, past and present—thank you for trusting us with your vision. To the creatives reading this, keep creating, keep submitting, and keep believing. Because next year, you just might be walking that red carpet.

See you at the premiere!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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