Letitia Wright and Aneil Karia Honored at HollyShorts London Festival
The HollyShorts London Film Festival is set to honor actress and filmmaker Letitia Wright and Academy Award-winning director Aneil Karia with its prestigious Trailblazer Award during its second annual edition from November 13 to 16, 2025. The festival recognizes these two creatives for their significant contributions to cinema.
Wright, known globally for her role as Shuri in Marvel’s acclaimed Black Panther franchise, has made a remarkable transition to directing. Her directorial debut, Highway to the Moon, premiered at HollyShorts Los Angeles and received critical acclaim. The film, which will also screen at HollyShorts London, delves into the aftermath of young boys whose lives have been tragically cut short. This deeply personal project was inspired by the real-life loss of a close friend’s family member to a knife attack, transforming personal grief into a compelling exploration of violence, memory, and resilience.
Organizers of the festival praised Wright for her ability to convey emotional and culturally rich narratives. “This film was birthed from a place of love and a strong desire to see unity amongst our young boys,” Wright stated. “This film is my love letter to them. This journey has been a challenge but incredibly rewarding.”
Karia, the other honoree, is celebrated for his distinctive storytelling in both film and television. His Oscar-winning short film, The Long Goodbye, co-created with Riz Ahmed, garnered international recognition and won the Grand Prix at HollyShorts Los Angeles in 2022. The film also earned accolades from the British Independent Film Awards and the London Critics’ Circle for best short film.
Karia has recently completed a modern adaptation of Hamlet, featuring a stellar cast that includes Riz Ahmed, Morfydd Clark, Joe Alwyn, and Tim Spall. This adaptation premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and subsequently screened at both the Toronto and London Film Festivals. His debut feature, Surge, starring Ben Whishaw, premiered at Sundance, where Whishaw won the special jury prize for acting.
In addition to his film work, Karia has directed for popular television series such as Netflix’s Top Boy and the BBC/Paramount+ series The Gold. He is poised to begin production in 2026 on a new series titled The Ministry of Time, written by Alice Birch and produced by A24.
Expressing gratitude, Karia remarked, “I owe a huge debt of gratitude to HollyShorts. Their recognition of The Long Goodbye in 2021 played a key part in its journey and ultimately its Oscar win.” He emphasized the festival’s role in promoting original voices in filmmaking.
Wright and Karia join an impressive roster of past honorees, including David Oyelowo, Jared Hess, and Catherine Hardwicke. The HollyShorts London festival promises to showcase a diverse lineup of films, with screenings taking place at Vue Cinemas in Leicester Square.
The festival will feature several notable entries, including:
– A Death in the Family — Yasmin Hafesji
– A Friend of Dorothy — Lee Knight
– A Good Death — Kaz PS
– Bury Your Gays — Charlotte Serena Cooper
– Highway To The Moon — Letitia Wright
With a commitment to highlighting innovative storytelling, HollyShorts London aims to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers and celebrate the art of short film. The festival’s organizers are excited to welcome audiences for this engaging celebration of talent and creativity.
