Imagine a world where a simple game of Rock, Paper, Scissors becomes a powerful metaphor for resilience in the face of war, and where the haunting melodies of The Singers echo the timeless struggles of the human spirit. These are the stories that triumphed at the HollyShorts UK Awards, leaving audiences both moved and inspired. But here's where it gets even more fascinating: both films not only claimed top honors but also sparked conversations about the role of art in reflecting our most pressing global issues.
Hosted by the charismatic Karen Bryson, known for her roles in Shameless and The Rainmaker, the awards ceremony took place at the prestigious Vue Cinemas West End in the heart of London. The event celebrated the best in short-form storytelling, with Franz Böhm’s Rock, Paper, Scissors taking home the coveted Best Short Film prize. This gripping tale follows a father and son running a makeshift hospital near the Russia-Ukraine war frontline, a story that has already earned it the 2025 BAFTA for Best Short Film. But is it the raw emotion or the timely subject matter that makes this film stand out? We’ll let you decide.
Sam Davis’ The Singers, an adaptation of Ivan Turgenev’s short story, wasn’t far behind, snagging both Best Director and Best International awards. After debuting at SXSW and being selected for Tribeca, the film continued its winning streak at HollyShorts UK. But here’s the controversial part: does adapting a classic work dilute its originality, or does it breathe new life into timeless themes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
HollyShorts, known as an incubator for short-form talent, has been expanding its global reach. We previously covered the inaugural HollyShorts Dubai, which featured speakers like Iraqi-Kurdish filmmaker Philip Rachid. This international growth underscores the festival’s commitment to nurturing diverse voices in cinema. And this is the part most people miss: short films are often seen as stepping stones, but HollyShorts proves they can be powerful standalone art forms.
Looking ahead, HollyShorts UK will return for its third edition from November 12–15, 2026, while the flagship HollyShorts Film Festival in Hollywood is set for August 13–23, 2026. In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of the 2025 HollyShorts UK winners:
- Best Short Film Grand Prize: Rock, Paper, Scissors (Franz Böhm)
- Best Director: Sam Davis (The Singers)
- Best Student Film: Rock, Paper, Scissors (Franz Böhm)
- Best Animation: Two Black Boys in Paradise (Baz Sells)
- Best Comedy: Chasers (Erin Brown Thomas)
- Best Drama: A Friend of Dorothy (Lee Knight)
- Best Thriller: ADO (Sam Henderson)
- Best International: The Singers (Sam Davis)
- Best Music Video: Bile Bile (Rango Musau)
- Best Music Documentary: Hugel – The Entourage (Ludovic Genco, Hugo Lucas Pompier)
- Best Sports Documentary: Fighting Demons (Simon Stock)
- Best Shot on Film: A Death in the Family (Yasmin Hafesji)
- Best Cinematography: Stomach Bug (Andri Haraldsson)
So, what do you think? Are short films the future of storytelling, or do they still play second fiddle to feature-length films? And which of these award-winning shorts would you most like to see? Share your thoughts below—we’re all ears!
