The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 90th Academy Awards. Sixty-three (63) pictures had originally qualified in the category.Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch viewed all the eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting.
Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select five nominees from among the 10 titles on the shortlist.
Branch screenings will be held in Los Angeles, London, New York and San Francisco in January.
Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
There are some outstanding stories among these shortlisted films, most remarkable is Life Smartphone with story that everyone in the world should see as they surely will identify themselves in any of the situation pictured. But know this category honors animation plus story, direction and other tech specs and perhaps Chenglin Xie doesn't have the most impact-full animation or design but I find is exactly the type of animation the story needs. Outstanding short!!! Yes, this is my winner!!!
The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title in English.
Cradle, Devon Manney, USA
Dear Basketball, Glen Keane, USA
Fox and the Whale, Robin Joseph, Canada
Garden Party, Victor Caire and Gabriel Grapperon, Florian Babikian, Vincent Bayoux, Theophile Dufresne and Lucas Navarro, France
In a Heartbeat, Esteban Bravo and Beth David, USA
Life Smartphone, Chenglin Xie, China
Lost Property Office, Daniel Agdag, Australia
Lou, Dave Mullins, USA
Negative Space, Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata, France
Revolting Rhymes, Jakob Schuh and Jan Lachauer, UK
Cradle by Devon Manney
Returning to the USA after losing both arms overseas, a young veteran battles phantom pains, prosthetics, and memories of his pre-war life while reaching for a sense of normalcy.
Dear Basketball by Glen Keane
On November 29, 2015 Kobe Bryant penned a letter in the Players' Tribune announcing his retirement from basketball at the end of that season. This film is the visualization of that letter, narrated by Kobe, scored by John Williams and animated by Glen Keane.
Fox and the Whale by Robin Joseph
The tale of a curious fox who goes in search of an elusive whale. A journey of pursuit and longing.
Garden Party by Victor Caire and Gabriel Grapperon, Florian Babikian, Vincent Bayoux, Theophile Dufresne and Lucas Navarro
In a deserted rich house, a couple of amphibians explore their surroundings and follow their primal instincts.
In a Heartbeat by Esteban Bravo and Beth David
A shy, middle school boy who struggles coming to terms with being gay, Sherwin, and the most popular boy in school, Jonathan. When their paths cross one day, Sherwin's heart pop's out of his chest to chase after the boy of his dreams. Now, Sherwin must chase after his own heart before it reveals his feelings towards Jonathan, and humiliating him in front of the entire school.
Life Smartphone by Chenglin Xie
The phenomenon of increasing smartphone addiction can be attributed to today's cutting-edge technology. Staring at glowing screens instead of exploring the vast expanse of life, people are gradually alienating themselves from the richness, depth, and loveliness of life.
Lost Property Office by Daniel Agdag
Sometimes people can get lost in their work.
Lou by Dave Mullins
A Pixar short about a lost-and-found box and the unseen monster within.
Negative Space by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata
My dad taught me how to pack.
Revolting Rhymes (Part Two) by Jan Lachauer, Jakob Schuh and Bin-Han To
The second of two animations based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.
Jack grows up with his heart set on next-door neighbor Cindy. She has her eye turned by the eligible prince at the ball, and Jack gets distracted by a giant beanstalk at the bottom of his garden. Will they find true love?
