The 2026 Oscar-Nominated Shorts: A Guide to the Contenders

As the 98th Academy Awards approach, the short film categories often remain a mystery to casual viewers. This year, a wider audience has the opportunity to discover these compelling works, thanks to a theatrical release partnership between filmmaker Taika Waititi and Roadside Attractions. Here’s a breakdown of the nominees and where to watch them, as discussed on the recent Little Gold Men podcast with Rebecca Ford and John Ross.

Best Documentary Short

• All the Empty Rooms: Director Joshua Seftel documents the untouched rooms of school-shooting victims, featuring interviews with their parents.
• Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud: This film, directed and edited by Craig Renaud, memorializes his brother Brent, an American journalist killed while reporting in Ukraine.
• Children No More: “Were and Are Gone”: Director-producer Hilla Medalia and producers Sheila Nevins and Yael Melamede follow activists in Tel Aviv protesting the deaths of children in Gaza. Currently playing in theaters, but not streaming in the US.
• The Devil Is Busy: Directed by Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir, the film offers a glimpse into daily life at an Atlanta abortion clinic, focusing on the head of security, Tracii.
• Perfectly a Strangeness: Alison McAlpine follows three donkeys traveling across the Chilean desert to an abandoned space telescope. Available on Canopy or the Criterion Channel.

All the Empty Rooms is considered a strong contender, benefiting from exposure on CBS News and a prominent placement on Netflix.

Best Animated Short

• Butterfly: Tells the story of Alfred Nakache, a French Algerian Olympic swimmer who survived Auschwitz and competed in the Olympics again.
• Forevergreen: From animators of Zootopia, this short follows an abandoned bear cub raised by an evergreen tree.
• The Girl Who Cried Pearls: A twisty, stop-motion animated tale about an aged man recounting how he received a pearl from a mysterious woman.
• Retirement Plan: Featuring the voice of Domhnall Gleeson, this short from The New Yorker explores regrets about time lost.
• The Three Sisters: A dialogue-free short about three sisters competing for the attention of a new tenant. Currently available in theaters, but not streaming in the US.

Butterfly is highlighted as a potential winner, praised for its evocative visuals using oil paintings reminiscent of French artists like Monet and Matisse. The director’s personal connection to Nakache’s story adds emotional weight.

Best Live-Action Short

• Butcher’s Stain: A Palestinian butcher faces accusations of desecrating posters of political hostages at an Israeli supermarket.
• A Friend of Dorothy: Miriam Margolyes stars as an octogenarian who befriends a young theater enthusiast.
• Jane Austen’s Period Drama: A Pride & Prejudice spoof that educates a gentleman caller about menstruation.
• The Singers: Patrons at a dive bar find solace through an impromptu singing contest.
• Two People Exchanging Saliva: Set in a dystopian future where kissing is outlawed, this film explores a forbidden connection.

Two People Exchanging Saliva is identified as a likely winner.

The Oscar-nominated shorts offer a diverse range of stories and filmmaking styles, providing a platform for emerging talent and tackling vital social issues. With many available to stream or watch in theaters, now is the time to discover these hidden gems before the awards ceremony.