2024 Oscar®-Nominated Short Films: Documentary
For the 19th consecutive year, Shorts HD and Magnolia Pictures present the Oscar®-Nominated Short Films, opening on Friday, February 16. With all three categories offered – Animated, Live Action and Documentary – this is your annual chance to predict the winners and experience exciting new short-form storytelling by filmmakers from around the world. A perennial hit with audiences around the country and the world, don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts.
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS (Estimated Running Time: 139 minutes)
Island In Between – directed by S. Leo Chiang, 20 min., Taiwan (in English/Mandarin) (pictured above)
From Taiwan’s frontline amid rising tensions with China, filmmaker S. Leo Chiang weaves lyrical glimpses of local life with his own struggle negotiating ambivalent bonds to Taiwan, China, and the USA. Island In Between explores the uneasy peace in Taiwan, and contemplates its uncertain future.
Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó – directed by Sean Wang, 17 min., USA (in Mandarin)
Nǎi Nai is my grandma. Wài Pó is also my grandma. Together, they are a grandma super team that dances, stretches, and farts their sorrows away.
The ABC’s of Book Banning – directed by Sheila Nevins, 27 min., USA (in English)
Over 2000 books have been removed from school districts in the U.S. The ABC’s of Book Banning follows the human toll the future will pay for depriving children of their right to read and learn about a complex world. Interviews with children and authors shed light on this ongoing dangerous precedent.
The Last Repair Shop – directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, 39 min., USA (in English)
Los Angeles is one of the last American cities to provide free and freely repaired musical instruments to its public schoolchildren. The Last Repair Shop showcases the warehouse where devoted craftspeople keep over 80,000 instruments in good repair.
The Barber of Little Rock – directed by John Hoffman and Christine Turner, 35 min., USA (in English)
The Barber of Little Rock explores America’s widening racial wealth gap through the story of 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.
Cornell Cinema screenings will take place as follows:
- Live Action - Friday, February 16 at 6pm
- Animated - Saturday, February 17 at 6pm
- Live Action - Thursday, February 22 at 9:15pm
- Documentary - Friday, February 23 at 7pm
The 96th annual Academy Awards take place Sunday, March 10, 2024.