The race to win an Academy Award is always difficult. There are almost 11,000 AMPAS members, including at least 2,000 overseas. Campaigning for their attention is never easy. That being said, winning a short category is even tougher. Voters have to watch all of the shorts before they can participate, which usually indicates that only a small percentage of Academy members actually take part. That’s often why there are so many “upsets” or strange choices on Oscar night. The good news is, if you want to chime in before your Oscar pool vote is due, you can watch many of the shorts online or on the big screen now that “The 2026 Oscar Nominated Short Films” is in theaters.
READ MORE: “Train Dreams” Wins Best Feature, Tops The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards [Complete List]
Presented by Taika Waititi – whose participation appears to be in name only – the shorts are being distributed by Roadside Attractions for the first time after ShortsTV bowed out after releasing the films for years. The good news is Roadside’s participation suggests a wider release plan, which means the short collections may be coming to a theater near you for the first time ever. That’s a good thing, as many of this year’s nominees deserve to be seen on a big screen.
There are tight races in all three categories, but we’ve ranked them with the best chances to win…for now. Our final picks may change next month, as final voting doesn’t begin until Thursday. Keeping that in mind, however…
LIVE ACTION SHORT
1 “Two People Exchanging Saliva”
Directed by Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata
In an alternate timeline where kissing amounts to a death sentence, a young saleswoman and a customer tempt fate. Romantic, stylish, horrifying, and hands down the most cinematic entry of the five, it might be close to a masterpiece. If it doesn’t win, it certainly deserves to. This short is also available to view on YouTube.
2 “Butcher’s Stain”
Directed by: Meyer Levinson-Blount
Powerful tale about a Palestinian man working in an Israeli supermarket after Oct. 7 and how a coworker falsely accuses him of tearing down a poster supporting the Israeli hostages in the employee workroom. It’s a portrait with no answers and no happy ending, but it is impactful.
3 “A Friend of Dorothy”
Directed by Lee Knight
Fantastic performances by the legendary Miriam Margolyes and Alistair Nwachukwu (“Shadow & Bone”). For better or worse, you see where it’s going almost right away, but it tugs at the heartstrings. It will swing older voters, the Brits, and the gays.
4“Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
Directed by Julia Aks
Funny, cute, and a great showcase for Aks’ future endeavors. But, winning? Really? Congrats to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for having a world premiere that earned an Oscar nomination, though. You can watch the entire short on YouTube.
5 “The Singers”
Directed by Sam A. Davis
Beautifully shot, great atmosphere, the songs give it an emotional punch, but it still feels a little empty. The fact that it’s an American filmmaker doesn’t hurt. A U.S. filmmaker hasn’t won since the COVID ceremony in 2021.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
1 “All the Empty Rooms”
Directed by Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones
A CBS News reporter, Steve Hartman, and a photographer, Lou Bopp, capture the rooms of the victims of school violence for prosperity. Powerful, emotional, without a hint of melodrama, and it lingers with you. A likely winner. This short is available to stream worldwide on Netflix.
2 “Children No More: ‘Were and Are Gone'”
Directed by Hilla Medalia and Sheila Nevins
Activists in Tel Aviv stage silent protests with the printed out images of children killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. They are supported and heckled by a diverse swath of people. At its best when those witnessing the protest give their opinions, but it might make its point earlier than its runtime. Could absolutely win.
3 “Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”
Directed by Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo
Craig Renaud brings the body of his brother, Brent, back from Ukraine, where he was killed covering the ongoing war. Across the journey, Craig revisits moments from Brent’s coverage in South America and Afghanistan. Somehow, his memorial service in Arkansas is more captivating than his lauded, harrowing coverage in multiple war zones. Oscar nomination aside, perhaps a feature-length version would have been more impactful? This short is also available to stream on HBO Max.
4 “The Devil Is Busy”
Directed by Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir
Tracii, the head of security, and the staff at an Atlanta abortion clinic, attempt to keep patients safe from protesters in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Shot at least four years ago, “The Devil” feels more like a snapshot of a different time than the even tougher fight in 2026. This short is also available to stream on HBO Max.
5 “Perfectly a Strangeness”
Directed by Alison McAlpine
Three donkeys travel across the Chilean desert, where they encounter any empty or abandoned space telescope that is still operational. McAlpine and cinematographer Nicolas Canniccioni craft a compelling and often hypnotic tale, but it truly skirts the line between narrative and documentary. That’s a ding on our end.
ANIMATED SHORT
1 “Butterfly”
Directed by Florence Miailhe
A stunning short depicting the life of Alfred Nakache, a French-Algerian Olympic swimmer who was sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp with his wife and daughter. Masterful in its composition, color scheme, and storytelling, Miailhe used an oil-on-glass technique to hand-paint the animation herself. It’s a remarkable achievement. You can watch the short on YouTube.
2 “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”
Directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski
An old man recalls the origin of his most precious possession, a single pearl, to his granddaughter. He insists it came from the tears of a young girl who changed his life forever, or did it? This stop-motion animated wonder features incredible world-building, fantastic individual animation, and a delightful twist. Would be your winner if not for “Butterfly.” You can watch the short on YouTube.
3 “Retirement Plan”
Directed by John Kelly
A retiree spills his plans for the future in an entertaining, funny, and slightly extended montage narrated delightfully by Domhnall Gleeson. Word is, Academy members like it, but it’s a bit basic and would be a disappointing winner. You can watch the short on YouTube.
4 “The Three Sisters”
Directed by Konstantin Bronzit
Three siblings compete for the affections of their new tenant on an island in the middle of the sea. Wonderfully conceived, Bronzit pulls off a whimsical and often genuinely funny short with no spoken dialogue. The aesthetic is clean and distinct, but not as imaginative as it thinks it is, and the animation often seems a bit conventional.
5 “Forevergreen”
Directed by Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears
A young abandoned bear cub and a gigantic evergreen tree form a loving bond until the temptations of human civilization fracture their relationship. The CG aesthetic is very major studio, but the character animation is impressive, and it’s an entertaining watch. You can watch the short on YouTube.
“The 2026 Oscar-Nominated Short Films” opens in limited release on Friday
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