Sparkly Productions' microbudget indie joins a 2026 A-list lineup featuring projects from Renée Zellweger, Jordan Peele, Zoe Saldaña and more

CHICAGO, IL, July 27, 2026 – Sparkly Productions, a Chicago-based production company founded by Second City Film School alum Joelle Velez, announced today that its latest short film, CHOKE, has been named an Official Selection of the 2026 Oscar®-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. The film will make its world premiere during opening weekend's Midnight Madness program on Saturday, August 15, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The announcement comes as HollyShorts unveiled a distinguished 2026 jury featuring Alan Tudyk, Alfre Woodard, Rita Ora, David Cross, David Oyelowo, Judy Greer, and other celebrated filmmakers and performers.

Submissions for the 2026 festival exceeded 7,000 films with a mere 6% selection rate, making CHOKE’s representation as a Chicago production all the more impactful on one of the industry's most competitive stages.

"CHOKE is a dystopian, girly-pop, dark fantasy,” says writer and star, Joelle Velez. “The easiest way to describe it is like an episode of Black Mirror, if it were written by Dr. Seuss, and set in Barbie Land.” The story centers around the fictional Very Nice Town, and its disturbing loyalty test called the Choke, which robs its citizens of the ability to speak for 24 hours.

“CHOKE envisions a world where freedom of speech can be ripped away in an instant. In this film, we explore what it means to speak up - or be a bystander, giving us space to laugh, to cry, to fear, to be angry, and ultimately, to be human,” says Director Cee Pham.

Velez is joined on the screen by acclaimed Chicago actors John Mossman, Jennifer Jelsema, Elena Victoria Feliz, and Carlo Aparo.

Produced on a micro-budget, the film was co-created by Velez and Local 476 member Kemi Mayomi, who served as Director of Photography and Co-Director. Director Cee Pham joined the creative team to bring the film's distinctive visual world to life alongside a talented Chicago-based cast and crew.

CHOKE wrapped production in Fall 2025, filming in Chicago's Albany Park and Humboldt Park neighborhoods, as well as locations throughout the South Side. Post-production concluded in June 2026 in partnership with editor Angie Panganiban, Quicksilver Color and Argonaut Audio.

The Chicago-made production showcases the talent of local artists, and reinforces that Chicago indie filmmaking continues to compete and shine on the world stage.

HollyShorts will take place August 13 - 23 at the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Tickets for Saturday’s Midnight Madness Block are available for purchase at HollyShorts.com, and you can follow the filmmakers’ journey on instagram at @sparkly_productions.

SPARKLY PRODUCTIONS

Sparkly Productions is an independent film production company based in Chicago, Illinois, founded by writer, director, actor and producer Joelle Velez, a graduate of The Second City Film School. The company creates bold, entertaining films that challenge audiences while celebrating the depth of Chicago's creative community. Sparkly Productions is committed to changing the world… with Sparkly Productions.

Media Contact

Joelle Velez

Founder & Producer, Sparkly Productions

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @the.joelle.show & @sparkly_productions