The Shortlist for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2026 Academy Awards

Film Feature by Chris Olson

The arrival of the Academy Awards shortlists is always a moment of profound significance for those of us who champion short films. While the glitz and glamour of the feature-length categories tend to dominate the tabloid headlines, the live-action short film category remains the purest arena for cinematic innovation. It is here that we see the directors of tomorrow honing their craft, and where the limitations of time and budget often result in the most daring creative choices. This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has curated a list of fifteen films that represent a startlingly diverse range of voices, aesthetics, and cultural perspectives.

The 98th Oscars shortlist for Best Live Action Short Film is a testament to the global nature of modern filmmaking. From the visceral and gritty to the whimsical and satirical, these films challenge the viewer to engage with complex themes in a condensed timeframe. At UK Film Review, we have long argued that a short film should be judged not by what it lacks in duration, but by the density of its impact. Looking at this year's contenders, that impact is undeniable.

The 2026 Shortlist

The fifteen films advancing to the next round of voting are:

• 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

  
  

Each of these titles represents a unique triumph in the medium. In a category that can often lean towards the sombre, several entries this year offer a refreshing injection of wit, proving that short-form cinema can be as effectively satirical as it is emotionally devastating. By subverting traditional tropes or leaning into a more classical aesthetic, these filmmakers have created works that feel entirely contemporary.

In contrast, other films on the list represent a more meditative, soul-searching side of the shortlist. These are productions that explore the quiet, often overlooked nuances of human connection, often managing to navigate complex narrative terrain without relying on heavy exposition. It is a masterclass in visual storytelling, proving that what is left unsaid can often be more powerful than pages of dialogue.

The inclusion of several provocative titles on this year's list is likely to spark significant conversation among Academy voters. These selections signal a willingness within the Academy to embrace work that pushes boundaries and challenges traditional sensibilities. Some films use the condensed format to explore physical and psychological textures that might be lost in a sprawling two-hour feature, leaning into visceral and tactile storytelling.

Social and political themes are, as always, well-represented. Many of these shortlisted works tackle the fractures within modern society and the domestic fallout of shifting ideologies. These are films that feel urgent for their time, capturing contemporary anxieties with a sharp, unforgiving lens. They often avoid the pitfalls of didacticism, choosing instead to focus on the human cost of global and local conflicts.

The international flavour of the list is a reminder that the language of cinema is truly universal. These films bring distinct cultural rhythms to the competition, using their specific settings to explore universal themes of belonging, displacement, and the persistence of the human spirit. Some find power in their utter simplicity, proving that a single well-executed idea can resonate far more than a cluttered narrative.

As we move closer to the final nominations, the debate will undoubtedly intensify. Each of these fifteen films has earned its place on the shortlist through technical excellence and narrative ambition. However, the true success of this list lies in its refusal to be pigeonholed. There is no "typical" Oscar short this year. Instead, we have a collection of films that reflect the messy, beautiful, and complex world we live in.

At UK Film Review, our mission has always been to provide a platform for independent cinema and to champion the artists who take risks. Seeing such a robust and varied shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards gives me great confidence in the future of the industry. These filmmakers are not just making shorts; they are making cinema in its most concentrated and potent form.

The road to the Dolby Theatre is long, and many deserving films will inevitably be left behind when the final five nominees are announced on Thursday, 22 January 2026. However, for this moment, we should celebrate the achievement of these fifteen productions. They have navigated a field of hundreds of entries from across the globe to stand among the very best.

As a critic, I am often asked why I devote so much time to short films. The answer is found in this shortlist. It is the excitement of discovery, the thrill of seeing a new voice emerge, and the satisfaction of seeing a story told with absolute economy and grace. The 2026 Academy Awards shortlist for Best Live Action Short Film is a triumphant celebration of the medium, and I look forward to seeing which of these incredible works will ultimately take home the gold on Sunday, 15 March 2026. Until then, I encourage every film lover to seek out these shorts—they are the heartbeat of contemporary cinema.