Oscars Shortlist: Fantastical Tales of Courage Shine

The 2026 Oscars shortlist for Animated and Live Action Shorts has been revealed, showcasing a collection of films that delve into the fantastical, existential, and the courage required to confront fear. These selected shorts uniquely highlight the resilience of the human spirit when facing prejudice, trauma, or otherworldly challenges.

Notable entries include "A Friend of Dorothy," a heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship, and "The Quinta's Ghost," a gothic animation examining painter Francisco de Goya's past demons. "Retirement Plan" offers a humorous take on mortality, while "Éiru" delves into ancient Celtic folklore. Other films explore morality in "The Girl Who Cried Pearls" and a fisherman's tale in "The Pearl Comb."

The shortlist also features shorts grounded in reality, addressing bodily functions with comedy in "Jane Austen's Period Drama," dystopian societies in "Two People Exchanging Saliva," and the stark reality of gun violence in "Ado." These selections represent a broad spectrum of human experience and storytelling.