Dave Vs. Hollywood will screen at the 29th Annual Dances With Film Festival on June 26th at 9:15 PM in Hollywood. For tickets and more information, please visit: https://danceswithfilms.com/2026-dave-vs-hollywood/
By Juan Markos
Los Angeles, CA, (The Hollywood Times) 06/20/2026 – Dave Vs. Hollywood is a mockumentary film about Dave, an aspiring actor in Hollywood, who is followed by a documentary crew documenting the life of a struggling actor. The film is exceptionally funny, especially for someone like me, who finds myself surrounded by a lot of Daves. Dave is played by the charismatic Preston Tyler Ward.
We watch as Dave goes from audition to audition, including a particularly hilarious scene where he auditions for a butt double role that involves nudity. While I understand that body doubles are often used for such scenes, I think most people don’t realize this. It’s funny to see Dave bomb that audition. His failure is not just due to his shortcomings, but also ties into his connection to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Earlier in the film, he mentions he attends AA to network with people in the film industry, although he’s not actually an alcoholic.
There are many funny moments in the film that I believe others in LA would appreciate, such as the fact that Dave is originally from Ohio this is an inside joke for many of us here. Preston Tyler Ward does an excellent job; he is charming and funny, never seeming to give up despite setback after setback. He has an agent and keeps sending him out on auditions, but for some reason, he just doesn’t land the parts.
Throughout the film, we see Dave encounter old acting classmates and are introduced to his good friend Jen, played by Chloe Paige Flowers, who is on a similar journey. At one point, they even encounter Eric Roberts while pretending to play tennis in Calabasas, hoping to run into someone who can help them advance in their careers. I find this particularly funny because Dave embodies the typical transplant in LA. Their actions often come across as calculated, shady, and purely for show. Many people come here and report how awful the locals can be, but in reality, they are often just encountering the fake it till you make its like Dave.
Just when Dave feels overwhelmed gives up, he finally gets cast, and his dreams come true at least as much as they possibly can. The film captures the humor of Los Angeles transplants perfectly; unlike many others, Dave remains fun, funny, and enthusiastic about his journey. He ultimately gets what he wants, though that’s not the case for everyone who arrives here with dreams and a suitcase.
I love mockumentaries, and I absolutely enjoyed this one. It humorously pokes fun at Hollywood figures, including agents, casting directors, and conniving publicists, which adds to its charm. The film is written by Brad Dickson and co-directed by Brad Dickson and Daniel Kats.
Dave Vs. Hollywood will screen at the 29th Annual Dances With Film Festival on June 26th at 9:15 PM in Hollywood. For tickets and more information, please visit: https://danceswithfilms.com/2026-dave-vs-hollywood/
