Dec 16, 2019

Academy Awards Short List for Animated Short Films, Focus on International Animation

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the short list of 10 animated short films that will advance to the voting process for the 92nd Academy Awards.

The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title.

Notably, two of the top three films selected by the industry expert group ("The Physics of Sorrow" by Theodore Ushev and "Daughter" by Daria Kasiceva) made the Academy's short list. This is a significant improvement over last year, when all three of the top films selected by the panel of experts were not selected. This shift in taste is a good argument in favor of the Academy's rapidly expanding short and feature animation categories and a more diverse membership that recognizes animation beyond its commercial uses.

Another interesting statistic: Only three of the films nominated in the short film category this year were from the United States, and seven were from Canada or Europe. Seven are Canadian or European: Sony Picture Animation's "Hair Love" and Disney-Pixar's "Kitbull". The move toward more international films is similar to the Annie Awards, which this year nominated a completely international film in the short film category.

There are an equal number of films directed by men and women, five each this year.

Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, January 13, 2020, and the Academy Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, California.

Pictured at top: "Uncle Thomas: A Daily Accounting" by Regina Pessoa.