10 Short Animation Contenders for Oscars 2021

10 Short Animation Contenders for Oscars 2021

Ten films will advance in the Animated Short Film category for the 93rd Academy Awards.  Ninety-six films qualified in the category.  The films from Disney ("Burrow"), Pixar ("Out") and DreamWorks Animation ("To Gerard") advance.

European contenders include Song of the Sea art director Adrien Merigeau with his awarded film, Genius Loci; also Hugo Frassetto and SophieTavert Macian with the Clermont-Ferrand festival awarded, 2D animation, Traces. The Icelandic 3D computer animation comedy, Yes People by Gísli Darri Halldórsson enters the list.

The indie Hawaiian animation short Kapaemahu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson is among the contenders for the final 5 short animation nominees. Last year's Oscar winner was  Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver.

The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:

“Burrow”, Madeline Sharafian

A young rabbit tries to build the burrow of her dreams, becoming embarrassed each time she accidentally digs into a neighbor's home.



“Genius Loci”, Adrien Merigeau

One night, Reine, a young loner, sees among the urban chaos a moving oneness that seems alive, like some sort of guide.


“If Anything Happens I Love You”, Michael Govier Will McCormack.

Its story follows two grieving parents as they struggle to confront the death of their daughter, who was killed in a school shooting.


“Kapaemahu”, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson 

               Read our film presentation


“Opera", Erick Oh

Opera, Erick Oh & Beasts And Natives Alike

OPERA is a massive 8K size animation installation project which portrays our society and history, which is filled with beauty and absurdity.

“Out” Steven Hunter (Pixar Studios)

The plot features a young gay man who has not yet come out to his parents, who unexpectedly has his mind magically swapped with his dog's


“The Snail and the Whale”, Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon

Animated story from the creators of The Gruffalo. A tiny snail who longs to see the world goes on an amazing journey by hitching a ride on the tail of a huge humpback whale.


“To Gerard” Taylor Meacham (DreamWorks Animation)

A sprightly elderly man brightens the day of a little girl through magic.


“Traces”, Hugo Frassetto, SophieTavert Macian

36,000 years ago, in the steep valleys of the Ardèche, once an animal was drawn it became hunted. As hunting season draws near, Karou, the tracker, and his apprentice enter the monumental cave to draw. Their ritual is disrupted by a cave lion.


“Yes-People”, Gísli Darri Halldórsson

One morning an eclectic mix of people faces the everyday battle - such as work, school and dish-washing. As the day progresses, their relationships are tested and ultimately their capacity to cope.

Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. Nominations voting begins on Friday, March 5, 2021, and concludes on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, March 15, 2021.

The 93rd Oscars® will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021, and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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