Nov 1, 2021

Academy Awards 2022 Best Animated Short Film: At least 84 films eligible (exclusive)

The race for this year's Oscar for best animated short is on. The qualifying period is over, and we can reveal that at least 84 films have qualified.

We are publishing the preliminary list below, in alphabetical order. It has been confirmed by sources within the Academy. Note that the list is subject to change, and this article may be updated accordingly.

For now, though, the list of 84 films represents a slight drop in number from last year, when around 96 shorts qualified - an all-time record, as far as we're aware. It's worth noting that this year's qualification period was two months shorter than last year's, which was extended in response to the pandemic.

To recap: a short can become eligible for an Oscar in one of three ways. It has to be publicly exhibited in one of a number of major U.S. cities under certain conditions, or take home an award at a designated “qualifying” festival, or win at the Student Academy Awards. The filmmakers must then submit it to the Academy.

The shortlist of competing films will be announced on December 21; for the first time, 15 films will be included, rather than the usual ten. They will be whittled down to five nominees, which will be announced on February 8, 2022. The Oscars ceremony will follow on March 27.

Below are the films on the longlist. Where available, we've included a trailer, or even the complete film. Anyone working in the industry, including students, can apply to register for free to The Animation Showcase, a streaming platform that offers a unique opportunity to watch some of the qualified shorts (click here for more information).

Benoit Berthe Siward contributed research to this article.

Images at top, left to right: “Bad Seeds,” “Twenty Something,” “Nuevo Rico,” “Any Instant Whatever”