S&A has learned that SOLmont Events, the organizers of HollyShorts Film Festival, the largest short film festival in Los Angeles, will open this year’s event with the world premiere of Chadwick Boseman’s Heaven, a short film the actor directed (his second directorial effort).

The star of this year’s Jackie Robinson biopic 42 (a film that grossed over $95 million at the domestic box office and is currently available on home video) will be present at HollyShorts to present the film at the festival, as well as participate in the Q&A following the screening, which takes place on Thursday, August 15th at the TCL Chinese Theatre. 

Written by Javon Johnson, and starring April Parker-Jones and Walter Fauntleroy, Heaven tells the story of an ex-con troubled by his inability to return to his pre-prison sexual orientation. He orders an aging call girl whose life depends on him wanting her. 

The film was produced by Beatriz Eliza and Logan Coles, who also serve as executive producers.

Joining Heaven on opening night, will be Dan Carrillo Levy’s Zero Hour starring Camilla Belle, Jaime Camil, written by Guillermo Arriaga, as well as Thomas Jane’s and director Phil Joanou’s Punisher: Dirty Laundry.

Promising something for everyone, opening day of the festival will also include a screening of David Rodgriguez’ feature film Last I Heard, making its LA premiere, which stars Paul Sorvino, Michael Rapaport, Renee Props, Andrea Nittoli, and Lev Gorn, and which will precede the festival’s short film evening showcase.

Additional short films for HollyShorts opening night will be announced in the coming weeks along with the full festival lineup.

“We are thrilled to world premiere Chadwick Boseman’s short film HEAVEN during our opening night celebration. Not only is he a talented actor but also an accomplished director and playwright and we can’t wait for our filmmakers to see his latest project,” said festival co-founders and co-directors Daniel Sol and Theo Dumont, in a statement.

A Howard University and the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford alum, Boseman began his career as a playwright, director and theater actor. His theatre writing credits include writing Deep Azure, which was nominated for a Jeff Award for Best New Play and is published in the Hip Hop Theater Anthology Say Word; Hieroglyphic Graffiti, which was produced at the National Black Theatre Festival and the Hip Hop Theatre Festival; and co-wrote Rhyme Deferred, which appears in the Hip Hop Theatre Anthology The Fire This Time. 

Boseman’s theatre directing credits include: Dutchman, Wine in the Wilderness, Indian Summer, Spear in the Sun, Colored Museum, and Six Hits.  

His theatre acting credits include Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Breathe, Learning Curve, Willie’s Cut and Shine, Rhyme Deferred, Bootleg Blues, Zooman and the Sign, and Urban Transitions, for which he won an AUDELECO Award for Best Supporting Actor. 

For the screen, Boseman wrote, directed and executive produced the short film Blood Over a Broken Pawn. He made his feature film acting debut in Gary Fleders drama The Express, playing football great Floyd Little. Most recently, he starred in Mischa Webley’s independent psychological post-war drama The Kill Hole, and scored the lead in Warner Bros. 42, for which he received strong reviews playing the legendary Jackie Robinson. 

Up next for Boseman, repped by Management 360, Greene & Associates Talent Agency and attorneys Ziffren Brittenham, will be Lionsgate’s sports drama Draft Day, in which he plays Vontae Mack, a linebacker with NFL dreams, co-starring alongside Kevin Costner.

The HollyShorts Film Festival is an annual short film festival showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, 30- minutes or less. 

For more information please visit www.hollyshorts.com.

HollyShorts 2013 sponsors include: Company 3, Method Studios, Starnow, Newcastle Brown Ale, Rock Star Energy Drink, Uber, Panavision, Indiegogo, Law Offices of Clifford Lo Entertainment Law, Bigpie, Digital Video Expo ’13, Moviola, FEARnet, Martini Crew Booking, You Me and Charlie, Noci Cortinfestival, Showbiz Software, Lightspeed EPS, LAPPG, New Media Vault, The Roosevelt Hotel, Pop Chips, Final Draft, True Vision Entertainment, Yabazam!, Pretzel Chips, Production Hub, Quick Film Budget, Festival Genius, Indie Pix, ShortsHD, EuroChannel, Jungle Software, Los Angeles Hair Studio.