Short Film News (SFN) - The 4th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival announced three special awards that will be presented at the festival opening night celebration, which takes place on Thursday, August 7.

David Lynch will be honored with the 2008 HollyShorts Visionary Award. Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis will be honored with the 2008 HollyShorts Outstanding Achievement in Film Award and actress Paula Garces will be honored with the 2008 HollyShorts Future Star Award.

The opening will be hosted by Jill Simonian, and will feature a number of high profile short film projects including Hole in the Paper Sky, produced by and starring Jessica Biel and directed by Bill Purple, Nosebleed, starring David Arquette and directed by Jeff Vespa, as well as the Hollywood premiere of actor Josh Brolin's short film X.

In addition to Lynch's Award for his dedication to craft and the art of filmmaking, the festival is partnering with The David Lynch Foundation to launch The HollyShorts David Lynch Foundation Student Short film competition.

The contest, which launches in January, will call for high school and college short films 15 minutes and under, which will be selected and screened during the 2009 HollyShorts Film Festival.

The 4th HollyShorts which will run till August 10, is going to feature 50 short films and 11 music videos in competition.

More information about festival is available on www.hollyshorts.com.