Oscar®-Nominated Short Films 2026: Animation
See the year’s most spectacular short films on the big screen for a limited time with the 2026 Oscar®-Nominated Short Films, presented by acclaimed filmmaker, writer and actor Taika Waititi. With three feature-length programs, one for each Academy Award® Short Film category — Animated, Documentary and Live Action — this is your annual chance to predict the winners (and have the edge in your Oscar pool). The Academy Awards® take place on Sunday, March 15.
Best Animated Short Film
THE THREE SISTERS
Three sisters live a lonely life on an isolated island, each in their own small house. One day, circumstances develop in such a way that they are forced to rent out one of the houses. DIR Konstantin Bronzit. Israel/ Cyprus, 2024, color, 14 min. NOT RATED
FOREVERGREEN
A joyful adventure featuring an orphaned bear cub and a fatherly tree turns serious when the cub is tempted by the allure of easy food. DIR Nathan Engelhardt, Jeremy Spears; U.S., 2025, color, 13 min. NOT RATED
THE GIRL WHO CRIED PEARLS [LA JEUNE FILLE QUI PLEURAIT DES PERLES]
A haunting fable about a girl overwhelmed by sorrow, the boy who loves her and how greed leads good hearts to wicked deeds. DIR Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski. Canada, 2025, color, 17 min. In French and English with English subtitles. NOT RATED
BUTTERFLY [PAPILLON]
A man is swimming in the sea. As he does, memories rise to the surface. From his early childhood to his life as a man, all his memories are linked to water. Some are happy, some glorious, some traumatic. DIR Florence Miailhe. France, 2024, color, 15 min. In French, Arabic and German with English subtitles. NOT RATED
RETIREMENT PLAN
Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) fantasizes about everything he would love to do in retirement, once he finally has the “time.” DIR John Kelly. Ireland, 2024, color, 7 min. NOT RATED
Additional Shortlisted Animated Short Film Presentation:
ÉIRU
When the water mysteriously disappears from the well in a warrior clan’s village, an intrepid child descends into the belly of the earth to retrieve it. ÉIRU is the story of a child in search of a challenge, and a goddess in search of a champion. DIR Giovanna Ferrari. Ireland, 2025, color, 13 min. NOT RATED
Approx. runtime: 83 min.
Program rating: NOT RATED. Some films in this program include some disturbing and mature content and may not be suitable for very young children.
Run Time: 83 Minutes
Opening Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Genre: Shorts program
