Hollywood Ventures Group Boards Vatican Documentary Short Green Lava
Glenn S. Gainor, Sandy Climan, Nelly Kim and Nabeel Laher join as executive producers on the 39-minute film directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Aksu.
Hollywood Ventures Group has joined the Vatican-produced documentary short Green Lava as a partner, the company confirmed on November 2, 2026, according to Variety. As part of the deal, co-founders Glenn S. Gainor and Sandy Climan, along with Nelly Kim and Nabeel Laher, become executive producers alongside John Shufeldt.
Green Lava runs 39 minutes and is directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Aksu, who also produce. The company will act as a strategic producing partner on the film and explore distribution opportunities for it.
The short is the first Vatican-produced film submitted for Oscar consideration. It will not officially represent the Vatican in the Oscars race, however, because short films do not require a national submission.
Oscar-qualifying run completed
As Variety exclusively reported in September, Green Lava is the first film submitted by the Vatican for Oscar consideration in the 97-year history of the Academy Awards. The film completed its Oscar-qualifying theatrical run with screenings between September 18 and 24 at the Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
Gainor previously held senior leadership roles at Amazon MGM Studios and Sony's Screen Gems, while Climan served as a senior executive at CAA, Universal Studios and MGM. Hollywood Ventures Group's slate also includes the upcoming Casablanca-set thriller The Final Bet.
Quick answers
How long is Green Lava?
The documentary short runs 39 minutes and is directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Aksu.
Will Green Lava represent the Vatican at the Oscars?
No. Short films do not require a national submission, so the film will not officially represent the Vatican in the Oscars race.
Who are the executive producers on Green Lava?
Glenn S. Gainor, Sandy Climan, Nelly Kim and Nabeel Laher join John Shufeldt as executive producers.