WALKING DEAD's Ross Marquand Stars in HAJJI, Competing at Oscar Qualifying HollyShorts

Filmmaker R. H. Norman will show his most recent narrative short film HAJJI at the 14th annual HollyShorts Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, Tuesday, August 14th at 10PM. The festival runs August 9 -18. 2018.

Ross Marquand (The Walking Dead) plays a soldier in a reality-based conflict zone in HAJJI, an inspired-by-true-events short which explores the cycle of violence caused by modern warfare in the Middle East.

Written and directed by R.H. Norman, the story follows two soldiers, played by Marquand and actor Dayo Okeniyi (Hunger Games, Shades of Blue), and their interaction with a local family, which culminates in an unfortunate act of unspeakable violence. The film is produced by David Lawson Jr., a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was drawn to the project by its unique perspective on war.

Norman, who was mentored by Werner Herzog and whose other short films include "Gusano" and "Mulberry", is also known as a producer, editor, storyboard artist and colorist. "Hajji" also stars Maddie Rien, Ray Haratian (Argo), Dajan Ahmad, Bahara Golestani, and Rajeev Chhibber. In addition to producers Okeniyi, Marquand, Lawson, and Norman, the film was produced by Micheline Pitt, Sean McDaniel, Christopher Ely, Damir Omic, and John Thomas Schrad of ReKon Productions.

HollyShorts Film Festival is an organization devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, advancing the careers of filmmakers through screenings, networking events, and various panel and forums. The HollyShorts Film festival showcases the top short films produced 40- minutes or less. Categories include Short Animation, Short Live Action, Short Documentary, Music Video, Webisode, Commercials, Youth Film and Digital Microbudget.

HollyShorts was recently named an Academy Awards® Qualifying Festival.

Tickets can be purchased from HollyShorts.com