Every awards season, the Academy Awards highlight some of the most inventive and powerful storytelling in cinema short form. This year’s 98th Oscars® — taking place on March 15, 2026 — brought forward another remarkable lineup of short films across Live Action, Animated, and Documentary categories. Below is your guide to all the Oscar-nominated shorts and where you might be able to watch them.
Live-Action Short Film Nominees
Butcher’s Stain
by Meyer Levinson-Blount & Oron Caspi
A dramatic short weaving tension and character in a compact narrative.
‘Butcher’s Stain’ is still enjoying a festival run so the film is not online yet.
A Friend of Dorothy
by Lee Knight
A heartfelt story about unexpected connection between an elderly widow and a young neighbour, starring Miriam Margolyes and Stephen Fry.
Jane Austen’s Period Drama
by Julia Aks & Steve Pinder
A creative take on literary history and gender roles — blending humour, commentary, and vibrant performance.
The Singers
by Sam A. Davis
Based on an Ivan Turgenev story, this short adapts classical narrative with cinematic craft — and was acquired by Netflix ahead of Oscar season.
‘The Singers’ is still enjoying a festival run so the film is not online yet.
Two People Exchanging Saliva
by Alexandre Singh & Natalie Musteata
An absurdist dystopian short about a world where kissing is forbidden — rich in style and social satire.
Animated Short Film Nominees
The Girl Who Cried Pearls
by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski
A mythic and metaphorical tale, rich with symbolic power and aesthetic flair.
Butterfly
by Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens
A visually stunning animated piece that blends delicate artistry with emotional storytelling.
Forevergreen
by Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears
An evocative journey touching on environment and introspection with lush animation
‘Forevergreen’ is still enjoying a festival run so the film is not online yet.
Retirement Plan
by John Kelly and Andrew Freedman
A creative and comedic look at future dreams and the emotional texture of everyday life.
The Three Sisters
by Konstantin Bronzit
From seasoned animator Konstantin Bronzit, a story about change and disruption among siblings on an isolated island.
‘Three Sisters’ is still enjoying a festival run so the film is not online yet.
Documentary Short Film Nominees
All The Empty Rooms
by Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones
Journalist Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp document untouched bedrooms of children lost to school shootings — a deeply reflective work.
Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
by Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo
A moving portrait of documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud and his drive to reveal truth through his work.
Children No More: “Were and Are Gone”
by Hilla Medalia and Sheila Nevins
Explores complex social issues impact on young lives — combining intimate access with cultural commentary.
‘Children No More: “Were and Are Gone” ‘ is still enjoying a festival run so the film is not online yet.
The Devil Is Busy
by Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir
A thought-provoking examination of modern societal pressures and personal response.
Perfectly a Strangeness
by Alison McAlpine
Canadian documentary short filmed at observatory landscapes, blending visual wonder with thematic
‘Perfectly a Strangeness’ is still enjoying a festival run so the film is not online yet.