Oscar Predictions: Animated, Documentary and Live Action Short — Small Films With Big Potential With Films From Zoe Saldaña and Rashida Jones in the Running

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Animated Short – Documentary Short – Live Action Short Commentary (Updated Jan. 9, 2025):

Short film categories for the Oscars often act as surprise elements during awards season – ideal for spicing up your office pool or uncovering emerging filmmaking talents. However, they’re much more than just add-ons. Many renowned cinematic figures trace their beginnings to short stories, and this category consistently highlights directors creating substantial work within 40 minutes of screen time.

This year’s list of finalists, revealed in December, features a diverse array of talents, one of whom is Zoe Saldaña. She both stars in and produces the film “Dovecote.” Directed by her spouse, Marco Perego, it represents their second joint project since they previously worked together on “The Absence of Eden.

In the realm of live-action shorts, “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent,” directed by Nebojša Slijepčević and winner at Cannes, is making a strong early impact. This film portrays an authentic tale based on real events, depicting one man’s courageous resistance against paramilitary forces during the ethnic cleansing in Belgrade. Another noteworthy entry is “Anuja,” directed by Adam J. Graves and winner at HollyShorts. This movie delves into the heart-wrenching issue of child labor in India. The film boasts influential executive producers, including Guneet Monga Kapoor, an Oscar-winning Indian producer, and Mindy Kaling, a prominent figure in Hollywood.

The category for animated shorts is quite diverse, boasting 15 finalists from 13 different countries. Among these contenders, Canada’s Torill Kove, a past Oscar laureate for “The Danish Poet” (2007), is hoping to secure her fourth nomination with “Maybe Elephants,” which has been well-received at Annecy, Berlin, and Toronto film festivals. On the other hand, Portugal’s Alexandra Ramires and Laura Gonçalves are back with “Percebes,” the 2024 Annecy Cristal winner, expanding upon Gonçalves’ earlier success with “The Garbage Man.

Regardless of whether they’re live-action, animated, or documentaries, the short films from this year demonstrate that exceptional storytelling can thrive within any length.

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EbMaster Awards Circuit: Oscars

The 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 2nd (this coming Sunday). However, please note that the movies listed, their titles, distribution details, and the names of the credited artists may still undergo changes before the event.

Animated Short

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