Were you watching the 85th Annual Academy Awards this year from the comfort of your lounge, laying out beached whale style in your PJs, eating pizza and secretly manifesting your own shining moment to give a witty acceptance speech (without having first tripped on you dress?)
Don’t worry your secret is safe with us…
You have probably already heard that Show me Shorts is now Academy Award credited! In light of this and last Sunday’s red carpet event, this month’s post is here to inspire you into action mode and gently nudge you in the direction of sending an Oscar winning film our way!
Did you know short films have been awarded at the Academy Awards since the 5th annual Award ceremony in 1932? Me neither but ’tis true – in fact there were 3 short film categories introduced: Best Animated Short Film; Best Live Action Short Film, Comedy; and Best Live Action Short Film, Novelty.
Flowers and Trees (1932) – Oscar Winning Short Film
Here is the very first Oscar winning Animation, Flowers and Trees, a classic Walt Disney story of nature waking up to springtime. You are forgiven if you expect Snow White to pop up and sing on a mushroom top. She doesn’t but I wouldn’t be surprised if this film had it’s influences.
Although rarely mentioned these days, it was a landmark in Disney history and it’s just damn cute.
Ryan (2004) – Oscar Winning Short Film
This Canadian short is a personal favourite of mine. Not only is it very slick and beautifully designed but its story content is inspired by Director Chris Landeth’s role model. The subject matter is Oscar nominated animator Ryan Larkin who was nominated for his 1968 short Walking (equally a great watch). The animation is completely unique in the way it depicts both struggling artists self-sabotaging destruction of their psyche. This was the second Academy nomination for Landreth – his first was for The End in 1995.
Ryan by Chris Landreth, National Film Board of Canada
The Crush (2010) – Oscar Nominated Short Film
This endearing short follows an eight year old with a major crush on his second grade teacher, Ms. Purdy, who happens to be engaged to a total twat. It’s a very simple and well-executed story set in Ireland, and I think is a great example that shows you don’t need cinematic bells and whistles to be nominated for an Oscar.
Two Cars, One Night (2006) – Oscar Nominated Short Film
I can’t finish this post without giving a shout out to one of the recent classic Kiwi Oscar nominated shorts, Two Cars, One Night directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Ainsley Gardener. This very personal and witty story about a late night Holden park-up outside the local pub is the prelude to Waititi and Gardener’s latest success, Boy.
New Zealand has had over 41 Nominations and 16 award winning kiwis thus far, leaving us to wonder: who is going to be number 17?
Why not you!
Get writing, shooting, performing, designing, and composing people! Send in your short films, practice your acceptance speeches and bring home that Oscar!
– by Rebecca, Awards manager of Show Me Shorts
