Holle Award for Excellence in Filmmaking

The Holle Award for Excellence in Filmmaking honors the director of the best narrative or documentary short film. 

Who’s eligible?

Any individual undergraduate student who is currently enrolled in a U.S. institution of higher learning who is majoring or minoring in film studies or a related field. Students who are graduating during the calendar year of submission are eligible to apply, even though the award may be conferred after they have graduated.

Submission Guidelines and Materials

• Applicants must create an account with the Submittable platform to apply for the award. Complete the online application form.
• Submissions should be anonymized. Please remove or distort any identifiable information from your entry.
• Films considered for this award must have been made under the supervision of a faculty member, as part of a student’s filmic coursework, or as a graduation requirement.
• Narrative or documentary films that are 30 minutes or less are considered for this award. Narrative films must be based on an original screenplay- adaptations are allowed if they have been written by students.
• Successful submissions are films that demonstrate artistic excellence through creative storytelling, emotional resonance, ambition, and engagement with larger themes. Ideally, projects will be tightly connected to the distinct lived experiences of the director. 
• Submit a film synopsis (1-3 sentences). Describe your film succinctly, providing a hook.
• Include a director’s statement (no more than 500 words). Tell us about yourself, your background, and the work you create. How did you come to tell this story, and how has your unique lived experience influenced the way you approached this project? Why did you have to tell this story? Describe your creative vision for this film, focusing on the tone, style, visuals, and themes you are exploring. Also, explain how your submission aligns with the Holle Awards mission. 
• Include the name and contact information of one faculty reference/sponsor at your current institution who has reviewed your work.
• Upload an edited and finalized version of your film to the awards platform. You will also be required to provide a direct web link to your film. We recommend that you create a recording in a private YouTube or Vimeo account and share a viewer link. Please ensure your privacy settings will allow the film to be viewed.
• Include a professional headshot and brief bio. Headshots should have a neutral background and include your head and shoulders only.
• Filmmakers must have release forms for all talent and subjects that appear on screen and hold rights or have permission for all material used in the film such as music rights, logos and branding, and any copyrighted material that appears on screen.

AI policy: The use of AI is discouraged; however, film submissions will still be considered as long as the use of AI is disclosed and explained in the application. All advanced entries will be checked with AI-Detection tools to ensure compliance. The Holle Awards are intended to reward originality, creativity, and ingenuity.

All applications should align with the mission of the award and the vision of Everett Holle.

While it is not a requirement to apply to the Holle Awards, we encourage you to register your work through the U.S. Copyright Office. 

Holle Award winners will be required to release the use of their name, image, likeness and representation of their work for promotional purposes but not commercial gain.