Oscars 2026: The Complete Shortlist for Live Action, Animated, and Documentary Shorts

The road to the Dolby Theatre just got significantly shorter—and infinitely more nerve-wracking—for dozens of independent filmmakers around the globe. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists for the 98th Academy Awards® yesterday, narrowing the field in ten categories, including the three critical short film verticals: Animated Short Film, Documentary Short Film, and Live Action Short Film.

For the indie film community, this announcement is often more pivotal than the nominations themselves. Making the shortlist is a stamp of legitimacy that secures future funding, festival invitations, and distribution deals. From a staggering pool of qualified entries—113 in Animation, 117 in Documentary, and 207 in Live Action—only 15 films in each category have survived the preliminary round.

Animation: A Triumph of Technique and Story

The Animated Short Film category this year is a masterclass in diverse storytelling. We are seeing a strong presence from international co-productions and varying techniques. Notably, the stop-motion marvel “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”, a Canadian production from the National Film Board, has secured a spot. Its inclusion signals the Academy’s continued respect for tactile, handcrafted animation.

Also making the cut is “Autokar”, a film that has been buzzing on the festival circuit for its poignant magical realism, exploring migration through a child’s eyes. The inclusion of “I Died in Irpin”—a deeply personal animated documentary about the invasion of Ukraine—demonstrates how animation is increasingly being used to document harsh realities, blurring the lines between genre and journalism.

Live Action: Comedy Meets Social Commentary

The Live Action Short Film category often leans towards heavy drama, but this year’s list shows a refreshing embrace of genre. “Jane Austen’s Period Drama” brings a much-needed comedic edge to the lineup, proving that period pieces can be irreverent and laugh-out-loud funny while still displaying high production value.

On the dramatic side, “Amarela”, a Brazilian short set against the backdrop of the World Cup, highlights the global nature of this category. The sheer volume of entries in this category (207 qualified films) makes the survival of these 15 films a monumental achievement in visibility.

The Documentary Standard

The Documentary Short Film shortlist continues to be a mirror to our world’s most pressing issues. Titles like “Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud” suggest a focus on the dangers of conflict journalism, while “Chasing Time” and “The Devil Is Busy” promise the kind of intimate character studies that the branch favors.

What Comes Next?

For these filmmakers, the next few weeks are critical. Academy members from all branches are now invited to opt-in to participate in the nominations round. To vote, they must view all 15 shortlisted films—a requirement that ensures these indie gems get the genuine attention they deserve from the industry’s elite.

Nominations voting runs from January 12 to January 16, 2026, with the final nominations announcement set for Thursday, January 22, 2026.

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The 98th Oscars® Shortlists (Short Film Categories)

Animated Short Film

• “Autokar”
• “Butterfly”
• “Cardboard”
• “Éiru”
• “Forevergreen”
• “The Girl Who Cried Pearls”
• “Hurikán”
• “I Died in Irpin”
• “The Night Boots”
• “Playing God”
• “The Quinta’s Ghost”
• “Retirement Plan”
• “The Shyness of Trees”
• “Snow Bear”
• “The Three Sisters”

Live Action Short Film

• “Ado”
• “Amarela”
• “Beyond Silence”
• “The Boy with White Skin”
• “Butcher’s Stain”
• “Butterfly on a Wheel”
• “Dad’s Not Home”
• “Extremist”
• “A Friend of Dorothy”
• “Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
• “Pantyhose”
• “The Pearl Comb”
• “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
• “The Singers”
• “Two People Exchanging Saliva”

Documentary Short Film

• “All the Empty Rooms”
• “All the Walls Came Down”
• “Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”
• “Bad Hostage”
• “Cashing Out”
• “Chasing Time”
• “Children No More: ‘Were and Are Gone’”
• “Classroom 4”
• “The Devil Is Busy”
• “Heartbeat”
• “Last Days on Lake Trinity”
• “On Healing Land, Birds Perch”
• “Perfectly a Strangeness”
• “Rovina’s Choice”
• “We Were the Scenery”

Are you a filmmaker on this list? Or have you seen these films on the festival circuit? Tell us your favorites in the comments below or tag us on social media @IndieShortsMag. Stay tuned as we cover the road to the nominations!