Oscar Predictions: Best Animated Short Film

Fifteen films have been shortlisted in the Best Animated Short Film category for the 97^th Oscars. This race includes films ranging from three to twenty-nine minutes. While a few previous winners and nominees are back in competition, there are no big names that might automatically garner attention.

With such a diverse slate of contenders and mix of themes and visual styles, it’s hard to identify who the frontrunners might be. Origami is the shortest of these films at under three minutes, but it’s wondrously creative and memorable in even that brief time. The Wild-Tempered Clavier weaves a compelling story through beautiful, complex images painted on rolls of toilet paper. Yuck! captures the distinct childhood perspective towards physical affection with an amusing color palette. Magic Candies explores the larger-than-life effects of certain sweets on one lonely boy’s worldview. Beautiful Men is an unexpectedly charming story of three bald men in Istanbul for hair transplants.

Some of the films engage with memory and history in intriguing ways that could appeal to voters. A Bear Named Wojtekwill definitely find fans for its true story of a bear who served in the Polish army during World War II. The 21 is a harrowing tribute to the 21 Coptic Libyans killed by ISIS in 2015, using animation to commemorate violent tragedy. Bottle Georgeputs an inventive spin on a grimmer tale of unhealthy parental relationships, from past nominee Dice Tsutsumi (The Dam Keeper).A Crab in the Pooltaps into a key setting to unravel the trauma two siblings have yet to process. In the Shadow of the Cypressuses vivid imagery to convey regret and the significance of decisions. Maybe Elephants is a nostalgic family story about three teenage girls moving to Kenya from past winner Torill Kove (Helium).

A few of the finalists take unusual approaches to storytelling that are both challenging and rewarding. Me merges musical and animation to create something dizzying and enduring, even if it might be a little less accessible than some of the other films in this race. That said, director Don Hertzfeldt has two previous nominations in this category. Wander to Wonder is a dark tale of puppets trying to keep their children’s show alive when their creator dies which might prove too disturbing for some viewers. Percebes showcases the life of a goose barnacle in a way that feels distinctly human and immersive. Au Revoir Mon Monde is a clever end-of-the-world comedy that feels the most like a sci-fi action blockbuster out of all of these films, which may or may not be exactly what voters are seeking.

Predicted nominees: Beautiful Men, Magic Candies, Origami, The Wild-Tempered Clavier, Yuck!