The 96th Academy Awards have come and gone. If you are an animated film enthusiast, read more for information on two Oscar’s nomination lists: The Best Animated Short nominee and the Best Animated Feature Nominee list.
In this article, we will be diving into the 5 nominees for the Animated Short category. After watching all 5 short films, MoviePrairie is able to shed some light on them as well as provide some behind-the-scenes details to fill you in before the big reveal.
Learn where to watch these fantastic short films and details about their storylines below.
Be sure to check out the related articles: The 2023 Annie Awards Nominated Films for ‘Best Feature’ and The Annie Awards 2023 ‘Best Independent Feature’ Nominees and Winner
The 2024 Oscars took place at the Dolly Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10. Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel will return as the host for the event.
Where will the Oscars be Streaming?
The 2024 Oscars will be available for streaming at 7pm E.T. on ABC.com, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV, alongside the traditional broadcast.
What is an Animated Short?
An animated short is a brief animated film typically lasting anywhere from a few minutes to around 40 minutes in length. These films are characterized by their use of animation techniques to tell a story or convey a message.
Animated shorts can vary widely in style, technique, and content, ranging from traditional hand-drawn animation to computer-generated imagery (CGI), stop-motion animation, and experimental animation.
They are often showcased at film festivals, distributed online, or included as bonus features on DVDs or Blu-rays. Animated shorts can be narrative-driven, comedic, experimental, or convey a specific artistic vision.
They offer filmmakers a platform to explore storytelling in a condensed format, often with a focus on visual creativity and innovation.
The 2024 Oscar nominated short films are between 7 and 20 minutes in length.
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Where can I watch the Oscar Nominated Animated Short films?
The short films are currently in select theaters. In some regions, theaters may screen collections of Oscar-nominated short films, including animated shorts, as part of special programs leading up to the Oscars.
1. Letter to a Pig
Letter to a Pig, directed by Tal Kantor, is an Israeli-French animated short film that has received acclaim at numerous international film festivals, including the Ottawa International Animation Festival, Jerusalem Film Festival, and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The film uses a unique black and white animation style that effectively illustrates the emotional depth of the story. It centers around a Holocaust survivor who addresses a classroom filled with snickering school children.
The survivor reads aloud a letter he wrote to a pig, thanking it for saving his life. As he recounts his tramatic experience, a girl in the class is drawn into a haunting daydream. In the dream, she is placed in the moment when the survivor, then a young boy, hid in a pig barn while being chased.
Letter to a Pig delves into the theme of collective trauma and its impact on individuals and society. Through the blending of various animation techniques, the film portrays elements of both reality and the subconscious.
It creates a sense of fear in the viewer, as if they were immersed into the story. The director effectively conveys the film’s message through the animation by evoking visceral emotions and making the audience feel the survivor’s experience rather than merely seeing it. The surrealism utilized in Letter to a Pig is what may lead to it winning an Oscar.
2. Ninety-Five Senses
Ninety-Five Senses, directed by Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess, and narrated by Tim Blake Nelson, delves into the human experience through the lens of an inmate on death row. The film explores the five senses, and gives a unique perspective on life and mortality.
The inmate shares memories that shed light on the events leading to his incarceration, reflecting on his mistakes and life story. Inspired by the experiences of death row inmates in Texas’ Huntsville unit, the film explores themes of personal growth, redemption, and the complexities of the prison system.
With its visually captivating animation styles and techniques, Ninety-Five Senses draws viewers into the inmate’s journey. While some may argue that being deaf does not justify his criminal actions, the film prompts reflections on judgment, accountability, and the human condition.
Due to it’s thought provoking dialogue and stunning animation, Ninety-Five Senses has a good shot at winning the Oscar Nomination.
3. Our Uniform
Our Uniform is a seven-minute animated short film directed by Yegane Moghaddam that explores the experiences of a young Iranian girl attending school while wearing a mandated uniform that includes a hijab. The film utilizes a combination of stop motion and 2D animation techniques to create a visually appealing and unique presentation.
In Our Uniform, the story is told through the use of various clothing elements such as rolled up cloth tape, jean pockets, folded cloth, and buttons. This distinctive animation style is not only intriguing, but also fits with the central theme of ‘clothing.’
Based on the real thoughts and feelings of secondary schoolgirls, Our Uniform provides an honest and insightful portrayal of their lives through personal stories and experiences. The film gives us a glimpse into the challenges faced by young girls navigating the expectations of society and cultural norms. It also illustrates how school attire can affect a person’s identity.
Our Uniform’s innovative animation style and compelling message may put this film in the lead to win the Oscar.
4. Pachyderme
Pachyderme is an 11-minute french animated short film directed by Stéphanie Clément. It blends computer animation with traditional animation. The film won Best Short Film at Manchester’s Animation Festival and Best Animated short at the Foyle Film Festival.
Panchyderme illustrates the tragic story of a young girl’s survival of childhood abuse. It is told in a dream like fashion, and gives the viewer an eerie feeling of dread. For instance, her grandfather is portrayed as a sinister presence in her life. This coupled with the bleak animation style, makes for a suspenseful watch.
The girl’s room is also frightening, with wood paneling that resembles the eyes of a monster. In the hallway leading to her room, there sits a pachyderme tusk that seemingly adds to her unease. Similarly, when the grandfather enters her room, she tries to fade into the wallpaper and disappear.
Overall, the film explores the themes of reliving childhood trauma and the journey to overcome it.
Could this introspective film win the Oscar? We will have to wait and see!
5. War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko
War is Over! Is directed by David Mullins, best known for Lou, a computer-animated short film that received critical acclaim and was nominated for an academy award at the 90th Academy awards.
War is Over! is the only short animated film that was nominated for an award on both the Annie’s and Oscars this year. Recently, this film won the Annie’s award for ‘Best Short Subject.’
War is Over! It is inspired by music from John Lennon and Yoko Ono and revolves around two World War I soldiers from opposing sides engaging in a game of chess in the trenches.
Amidst the chaos of war, a courageous pigeon braves bullets and explosions to deliver notes containing each player’s next move across the battlefield.
Despite defying direct orders, the soldiers persist in their game, attracting crowds of onlookers among fellow soldiers. However, neither soldier knows the identity of their opponent. Ultimately, the film portrays a sense of camaraderie between supposed enemies amidst the ravages of war.
Regardless of some critical articles labeling the short film as “naive” and “laughable” for its portrayal of war as a political trap, it can be argued that the film effectively sheds light on the individuals involved in these conflicts, often young males following orders.
Whether one agrees with the intended message of War is Over! or not, it’s undeniable that the film contributes to the ongoing discourse on our current events and offers valuable insight into the lives of those on the frontlines.
Due to the fact that War is Over! was the only short animated film that was nominated on both the Annie’s and Oscars this year, War is Over! has a good chance of winning.
And the Winner is!
The winner of the 96th Academy Awards is War is Over!
To see this wonderful inspiring movie’s trailer and for more details, check out the movie page.
Which Short did you want to win?
Which animated short film were you rooting for to win the 2024 Oscars for Best Animated Short? Let me know in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest!.
Also, be sure to check out my related articles: The 2023 Annie Awards Nominated Films for ‘Best Feature’ and The Annie Awards 2023 ‘Best Independent Feature’ Nominees and Winner
And as always- Keep watching!
As a movie lover, especially classic 2D animation, I launched this blog as a guide to keep fellow enthusiasts updated on the latest news and information about films and shows. Through Movie Prairie, I strive to share my insights and recommendations, inviting you to explore and appreciate the magic of movies just as much as I do. Join me on this as we delve into the captivating world of film together.
