Rock the Shorts Film Festival Celebrates Six Years of Fearless Short Filmmaking
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Los Angeles once again became a hub for creative voices over Labor Day weekend, as the Rock the Shorts Film Festival marked its sixth year of celebrating short-form cinema at Hollywood’s Whisky Hotel. Founded in 2020 by filmmaker Roxanne Marciniak, the festival has grown into a showcase for storytellers from around the globe—each film clocking in under forty minutes yet carrying all of the emotion of the best feature-length films. This year’s lineup featured entries spanning seven countries and genres, continuing Marciniak’s vision of spotlighting new voices and reminding audiences that short films can leave a visceral impact!
THE 6TH ANNUAL ROCK THE SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL ROCKED ITS OPENING NIGHT AT HOLLYWOOD’S WHISKY HOTEL WITH SCREENINGS PROVING THE MIGHT OF SHORT FILMS—AS ALSO FEATURING FIRST JURY AWARD FOR U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL FILMS
(Los Angeles, CA: September 15, 2025) – Rock the Shorts—because short films Rock! This year's celebration of indie filmmaking creativity took center stage over Labor Day weekend as the Festival’s sixth annual presentation was packed with all the might of raw and fearless storytelling inside of 40 minutes or less. Hollywood’s hot film festival darling, Rock the Shorts, continues to foster en masse the best filmmakers of the small, yet great, films—as further garnering heated industry recognition.
Its sixth annual splash kicked off at Hollywood’s stunning new Whisky Hotel over its rooftop terrace; where the event was buzzing with electric energy, creativity and filmmaking passion. The Rock the Shorts Film Festival brought audiences a full day of storytelling; all crafted by independent filmmakers from around the globe.
“We feel the creators of such praise-worthy entertainment deserve to be in the spotlight and celebrated,” said Roxanne Marciniak, Founder and Director of Rock the Shorts Film Festival. Marciniak is herself a filmmaker and an avid fan of short films, and continues to be dedicated to celebrating short-form cinema.
Rock the Shorts is not just about the films; it’s about recognizing the people behind them.
Short films have always been a launching pad for aspiring actors, directors, and writers; including many established names in the industry who got their start here. Rock the Shorts has become one of the top must-attend independent short film festivals in Los Angeles. Founded in 2020 by Marciniak, the event delivers a lineup of short films carefully curated by Marciniak by mixing genres guaranteeing an emotional ride for the audience and filmmakers alike. The event celebrates what short films do best—deliver a powerful punch in 40 minutes or less.
This year’s festival packed a global smash featuring entries from seven countries, with diverse storytelling that spanned continents, themes, and genres. Among them, a few particularly remarkable shorts stood out, earning accolades for their unique contributions to the festival (as further detailed below).
The 6th Annual Rock the Shorts Film Festival also featured its first Jury Award given to both a U.S. film and an International film. With votes too close, two winners were named this year: The U.S. Jury Award went to SALLY, GET THE POTATOES, written and directed by Danicah Waldo and was presented by Jury Member, actress Diane Robin; and the International Jury Award went to MAITIGHAR (filmed in Nepal), written and directed by Marc Guring.
The 2025 Jury included actor Pej Vahdat (Tracker, Poker Face, and the upcoming feature, Pickleheads, slated for its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival in late October); actress Diane Robin (47, Desperate Housewives and Strange Therapy); writer/performer Chelsea Devantez (Not Dead Yet, The Problem with Jon Stewart and host of Glamorous Trash Podcast); actress/producer Anna Clols (The Empty Chair and upcoming feature, CATnip); and first assistant director Kenny Roth (Nobody Wants This, The Good Place, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine).
The event also featured UnCabaret’s Beth Lapides, who dazzled on the red carpet as she interviewed filmmakers from all coasts of the U.S., the U.K., and Belgium. Rock the Shorts has become the leading go-to short film festival.
We won't skim over our filmmakers’ work as many larger festivals do with thousands of submissions waiting to be viewed.
Here is this year’s complete lineup of winners:
Jury Award Winner U.S. Film – SALLY, GET THE POTATOES, Written and Directed by Danicah Waldo
Jury Award Winner International Film – MAITIGHAR Written and Directed by Marc Guring.
Best Animated Short – RETRIEVING ROADIE Written by David Craig Williams and Directed by Luke Stone
Best Comedy Short – WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS? Directed by Nate Hapke
Best Documentary Short – DNHMUZIC: MY MUSIC, MY JOURNEY Directed by Cindy Lee
Best Drama Short – DARCINE'S DAY Directed by Aaron Goffman
Best Ensemble Cast – JULIAN Directed by Vivian Kerr
Best International Short Film – HEARTS OF STONE Directed by Tom Von Avermaet (Oscar Nominated Filmmaker)
Best Short Short – L(ONG)A(SS)ST DAY Directed by Jenny Curtis and Jillian Cantwell
Best Scary Short – BLINDSIDED Directed by Patrick Hogan
Best Student Short – STILLTHING Directed by Zoe Gallagher
Best Thriller Short – BUNNY Written and Directed by Barrington Smith-Seetachitt
Best Director – Tejal Desai for COWBOYS AND HINDUS
Best Actress – Kyla Diane Kennedy for DARCINE'S DAY
Best Actor – Michael Malanga for GOOD FORTUNE
Best Short Film Screenplay – J. Angel Sierra for his short film script MUNECAS DE VOODOO
Best of Block Audience Award – HEARTS OF STONE Directed by Oscar Nominated filmmaker Tom Van Avermaet
Best of Block Audience Award – SAVERIO Directed by Ellen Ancui
Best of Block Audience Award – L(ONG)A(SS)ST DAY Directed by Jenny Curtis and Jillian Cantwell
Best of Block Audience Award – RETRIEVING ROADIE Directed by Luke Stone
Adds Marciniak: “Thank you to all of the talented filmmakers, cast and crew of these incredible short films.”
Many actors, directors and writers have launched their careers by making short films—as continuing to tell their stories in their own way.
For more information about the Rock the Shorts Film Festival, also visit:
www.rocktheshortsfilmfestival.com
And follow the Rock the Shorts’ lively Instagram!
www.instagram.com/rocktheshortsfilmfest
Press photos: Preston Maestri
Festival Director: Roxanne Marciniak
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