Oscar Nominated Shorts 2024

In 2024 these were the 15 films nominated in the 3 short film categories (5 each) at the 96th Academy Awards recognizing excellence in short films for the year 2023. In a turn away from the norm, the Animated films were all quite dark while the Documentaries focused on inspiring stories and the Live Action films were often tear jerkers although a few had some levity. here are my thoughts on each film. 

Animation

Letter to a Pig

This may be the most challenging of the films nominated this year. The animation style is fascinating yet brutal and the subject, reflecting on generational trauma and legacy suggests a conveyance of violence and, perhaps the hope of ending that cycle. But the narrative is vague enough to be interpreted in different ways. Stark and uncomfortable, this is a difficult film to watch. 

Ninety-Five Senses

Perhaps my favourite of the 5 animated films nominated this year, this film plays with your expectations and is remarkably hopeful for a film about... well what it's about. The film is animated by different animators for each of its segments and therefore brings us a treasure trove of visuals as it meanders its way through its tale. Surprising and rather bitter sweet, this will make you think about things differently than perhaps you had before. 

Our Uniform

Short but visually stunning, this Iranian film explored textiles through its stop motion approach connecting how clothes inform identity and interact with us personally. I appreciated the way the film maker made this connection through the form as well as the narrative. 

Pachyderm

This film sharply becomes dark quickly but only through suggestion. It leaves ambiguity but what it does hit you with it hits hard. I felt myself exhaling at the end not even realizing how long I'd been holding my breath. The more traditional animation style belies a surprisingly profound story that is told mostly through implication, never quite telling us anything explicitly, yet communicating everything very effectively.  

War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko

The most produced of the films, with an inspiring message, it is also perhaps the least surprising or original. Still it is visually incredible to watch and there is no faulting the moral to this story. I think this is the most accessible of the nominated animated films and perhaps the one to take the prize? 

Live Action

The After

For me this film was a bit heavy handed in how it handled it's story. A tale of grief and loss that felt like it was overly dramatic. It still hit okay in the end but of the five live action films it was my least favourite. 

Invincible

Inspired by a true story, this film handled it's tragedy more deftly and powerfully. Beautifully shot and featuring a strong performance by its young lead, Invincible was perhaps the most pessimistic of the group but also felt very honest. 

Knight of Fortune

This film handles grieving and loss with a bit of whimsey and a hopeful spirit. It is the sort of film that stereotypically makes you laugh and cry at the same time. Yet it does so in a way that is truly sensitive and lovely. 

Red, White and Blue

I think this film was my favourite of this bunch. It sets up a story that you think you know, then pulls the rug out from underneath you a bit and the story becomes even more powerful. But it's ending is infused with hope and resilience. It is a hard film to get through without tears.  

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

The silliest of the group and also the most high profile. Wes Anderson brings his signature style to another Roald Dahl story to tell this somewhat magical and absurd story that explores the responsibility of power. I am known for not being a fan of Anderson's work normally but every now and then something he does will register for me and this is one of those times. 

Documentary

The ABCs of Book Banning

The film makers gave children age appropriate banned books to comment on and this film captures their wisdom in criticizing the practice of banning books. In an age where this is becoming more and more of a problem, this rather delightful and inspiring film forces us to reckon with how destructive a practice book banning is, yet makes us feel like the kids are alright. 

The Barber of Little Rock

Following the journey of a barber and community leader in Arkansas who works to give a leg up to working folks in his community, this film is very inspiring addressing both the ways America has been structured to prevent Black communities from acquiring and passing along generational wealth and the ways these same communities can and have been defying those blockages. Films like this give you hope people can overcome systematic oppression by coming together. 

Island In Between

Taiwanese film maker S. Leo Chiang presents this love letter to an island community that finds itself wedged between Mainland China and Taiwan both literally and figuratively. It captures both the bizarreness of being situated as it is the normalcy of day to day life there. His personal connection to the place and people informs his film and brings a little piece of this part of the world to the rest of us. 

The Last Repair Shop

The likely winner of this category, this film is sweeping and epic for a short film, capturing multiple powerful stories with a focus on how working with and playing instruments lifts people up in amazing ways. 

Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó

The lightest of the group is by far the most fun. The film maker films his two grandmothers who have come to live together in their old age and live the best lives. While hilarious and adorable there is a hint of gravitas as well as the pair talk somewhat about the inevitability of death and their love of their grandson. It is a film that will put a big smile on your face and will be remembered.