The Oscars, awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are among the most prestigious honors in world cinema and each year also recognize short films. As part of the Animocje Festival, audiences will once again have the opportunity to watch the titles nominated in the Best Animated Short Film category on the big screen.
This year’s selection of Oscar-nominated animated short films is a journey through five distinct worlds – intimate, fairy-tale-like, and full of emotion – united by reflections on memory, relationships, and the consequences of human choices. Together, the films form a multidimensional collection of stories about growing up, the passage of time, and the need to find one’s place in the world.
Important: This year, the film “The Three Sisters” (dir. Konstantin Bronzit, Israel/Cyprus/Russia, 2024, 14’) is also nominated in this category. However, due to numerous controversies surrounding the title in recent months, which have resonated widely within the animation community, as well as the fact that it is a Russian production, the distributor has decided not to include it in the program, and it is a decision that we, as the Animocje Festival, support.
Butterfly, dir. Florence Miailhe, Francja 2024, 15’
A man drifts at sea, and with him come the memories of an entire life – from childhood to adulthood, all intertwined with water: both the joyful moments and those marked by pain. From childhood swimming pools to Olympic stadiums, from North Africa to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, from the nightmare of war to the dream of freedom. This hand-painted animation (oil and pastel on glass) is inspired by the story of Alfred Nakache – a French Olympic swimmer whose life was shaped by both athletic glory and the experience of a concentration camp. It is a moving and visually stunning story about memory, resilience, and the strength to survive.
Forevergreen, dir. Nathan Engelhardt, Jeremy Spears, USA 2025, 13’
An orphaned bear cub finds shelter near a mighty evergreen tree that becomes both his home and his guardian. But when curiosity and hunger lead him toward the human world, carefree days give way to danger. An “evergreen tree” refers to coniferous species (including pines, spruces, firs, and yews) as well as some broadleaf plants (such as cherry laurel and holly) that keep their foliage year-round, providing gardens with structure and natural shelter. The film marks the directorial debut of animation veterans who previously worked on many well-known productions by Walt Disney Animation Studios, including “Wreck-It Ralph”, “Zootopia”, “Big Hero 6”, “Encanto”, “Winnie the Pooh”, “The Princess and the Frog”, and “Moana”.
The Girl Who Cried Pearls, dir. Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski, Kanada 2025, 17’
A Polish accent among this year’s nominees! One of the film’s creators is director and animator Maciek Szczerbowski, previously nominated for an Oscar for the short film “Madame Tutli-Putli”. This time, he tells the story of a girl whose sorrow yields pearls – and of greed that can lead even the purest hearts astray. Montreal, early 20th century. A poor young man discovers his beloved’s extraordinary gift and begins selling her tears to a ruthless pawnshop owner. As the lure of wealth poisons his mind, he faces a choice that could change his fate forever.
Retirement Plan, dir. John Kelly, Irlandia 2024, 7’
Trapped in the exhausting routines of his middle age, Ray increasingly often retreats into dreams of retirement. In his mind, he plans all the things he will “finally” have time for – when life slows down and responsibilities no longer overwhelm him. The voice of Ray is provided by the widely recognized Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson (“About Time”, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”).
