Oscar short film shortlists published

Three of these 45 films will win top awards

by Jennie Kermode

Oscar shortlistee A Crab In The Pool
Oscar shortlistee A Crab In The Pool

The shortlists for the 2025 Oscar short film selections were announced today. Each 15 films long, they form the basis for the nominations that will be announced in January. They have been selected by experts in the relevant areas from within the membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

“Having In The Shadow Of The Cypress acknowledged by the Academy is a dream come true," said Iranian writer/director team Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani. "We are incredibly proud of our team's passion and artistry. This recognition brings immense joy to our tired and oppressed nation.”

“I am incredibly honoured and grateful to the whole Academy for empathising with our story,” said Dani Feixas, director of Paris 70.

"I am incredibly proud and grateful for this amazing recognition," said The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent's writer/director Nebojsa Slijepcevic. "I’m very glad that the Academy's voters saw the universal nature of our story. The film is set in Bosnia in 1993, but at its heart, it’s about something we all might face: the question of what to do when we witness violence. In a world where armed conflicts are raging everywhere, I think it’s more important than ever to tell stories like this one, stories about real heroes who stood up against violence. They remind us that true humanity rises above nationality or religion.”

Best Live Action Short

Best Documentary Short

Best Animated Short

Share this with others on...
News

Truth and lies Sean Hogan on true crime documentaries, unknowable characters and The Dark Gets In

A walking contradiction Sinéad O'Shea on James 'Fergie' Chambers Jr and All About The Money

Unconventional families Milcho Manchevski on being blacklisted and making Sister Brother Manhole Cover

Expecting the unexpected Jordan Mark Windsor and Sean Wallace on Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant

Celluloid vampire Arthur Harari on Léa Seydoux, the mystery of ideas, and The Unknown

Patrick Stewart dies X-men and Star Trek actor was 86

Awards season kicks off with the Gothams Full set of nominations announced

More news and features

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Belfast Film Festival, Halloween Frightfest, the Cheltenham International Film Festival and the Leeds International Film Festival.



We're looking forward to the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the French Film Festival and DOC NYC.



We've recently brought you coverage of the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, Newfest, the London Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, Grimmfest and Beyond Fest.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon, Instagram and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


Sundance Announces Legacy line-up of archive films


Frightfest Newcastle event announced for May 2027


French Film Festival UK Programme announced


Tallinn Black Nights Documentary line-up and Special Screenings announced


London Winners announced