OSCAR SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2024

Not sure where our theaters are?     

Feb 17 – March 10 Scroll down for dates and times

 

The Oscar Shorts offer a vision of what the Academy Awards should and could be but very rarely are: eclectic, cosmopolitan, scrappy and surprising. -A.O. Scott, The New York Times

One of the most entertaining categories at the Academy Awards — and one of the least heralded — is for the Best Short Subject. Beginning Feb 17th, for 4 consecutive weekends, we are screening the 15 Oscar nominees for Best Short Film. As usual, this year’s assortment of Animated, Live Action and Documentary short Oscar contenders is a celebration of intimate, personal storytelling. Every filmmaker leaves his or her fingerprints on the material, making it a rich collection of stories, all of which have something profound to say, whether big and bold or small and modest.

Tickets: Each individual program is $12 but for $25 you can bundle all three into a Festival Pass. Your Pass would be good for all three programs on all  four weekends–you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see all of the films.

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ANIMATED SHORTS – 80 minutes

You know your kids better than we do but this year’s animation shorts are probably not for children under 10. Regarding content, there is nothing objectionable. But most younger children would have a tough time understanding the themes of some of the films. That said, they might also spark some interesting questions around the dinner table. (Children 10 and under are free.)

Our Uniform – a social satire about the clothing conventions imposed on young children  Iran (in Farsi)

Letter to a Pig – A Holocaust survivor reads a letter he wrote to the pig who saved his life., France/Israel (in Hebrew)

Pachyderm– Louise spends time at her grandparent’s house, Yet this year, the snow will fall in summer and a monster will die.

Ninety-Five Senses – An ode to the body’s five senses, delivered by a man with little time left to enjoy them.

War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko Two soldiers on opposite sides play a game of chess.

BONUS FILMS:

Wild Summon – A natural history fantasy film, following the dramatic lifecycle of the wild salmon in human form (narrated by Marianne Faithfull)

I’m Hip – A self-absorbed cat, in a jazzy song and dance, proudly and comically proclaims his “hipness” to the world. The world is less convinced than he is.

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LIVE ACTION SHORTS – 140 minutes

The After – A rideshare driver picks up a passenger who helps him confront the past.

Red, White and Blue – a single parent living paycheck to paycheck is forced to cross state lines in search of an abortion.

Knight of Fortune – two widowers lean on each other for emotional support. (in Swedish/Danish)

Invincible – the last 48 hours in the life of Marc-Antoine Bernier, a 14-year-old boy on a desperate quest for freedom. (in French)

The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar – Henry Sugar is able to see through objects and predict the future. Directed by Wes Anderson and Steven Rales,

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DOCUMENTARY SHORTS – 141 minutes

Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó– Sean Wang visits his maternal and paternal grandmothers who live as roommates. heir shared love for him is hilarious, moving, and full of the hard-won wisdom. USA (in Mandarin)

The Barber of Little Rock Arlo Washington, a local barber whose visionary approach to a just economy can be found in the mission of People Trust, the nonprofit community bank he founded.

The Local Repair Shop Four unassuming heroes who ensure no student is deprived of the joy of music.

Island In Between S. Leo Chiang reflects on his relationship with Taiwan, the United States and China from the islands of Kinmen, just a few miles from mainland China.

The ABCs of Book Banning Reveals the voices of the impacted parties of books banned from school districts, inspiring hope for the future through the profound insights of inquisitive youthful minds.

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At the screenings you can vote for your favorite film (or the film that you think will win the Oscar). If you guess right, you’ll win a complimentary ticket to a Ryder movie. Pick all three winners and you will win two complimentary tickets to another Ryder film and dinner at one of our fine local restaurants.

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HERE’S THE SCHEDULE    Purchase Tickets

Sat and Sun, Mar 2 and 3

2pm ANIMATION Fine Arts