A large number of French shorts feature in the 2022 Oscars shortlist announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Among a total of 15 animated shorts and 15 live action shorts shortlisted by the AMPAS, 8 films are produced or coproduced by France: three are competing in the Live Action Short Film category and five in the Animated Short Film category.
The voting members of the Academy's Short Film and Animation Branches will select the five nominees in each category, with voting beginning on January 27 at 6:00 p.m. (Paris time) and concluding on February 2 at 2:00 a.m.(Paris time). The list of films nominated for the 94th Academy Awards will be announced on February 8, 2022.
To coincide with this announcement, the Villa Albertine and Unifrance, in partnership with the 25ème Heure, are organizing two online screenings of the shortlisted French films. These two screenings will be exclusively available in the United States.
Following the screenings, two roundtable discussions will be held with the creative crews from the films. These roundtables are available for viewing on the Villa Albertine's YouTube page.
Here is the complete list of the French short films vying for nominations at the upcoming Oscars (the majority of which are available to Unifrance members for viewing in the Short Film Gallery):
Animations:
Flowing Home by Sandra Desmazières coproduced by Les Films de l'Arlequin and Office National du Film du Canada:
Like a River tells story of the crossed destinies of two sisters, Thao and Sao Maï, two teenage girls who live in Saigon and will be separated by the Vietnam war. For one, a life outside her country, and for the other, war and communism.
Step Into the River by Weijia Ma, coproduced by Les Valseurs and Beyond Frozen Films Co.ltd:
Lu and Wei are two young girls living in a village nestled on the banks of a river. As the one-child policy has led some families to drown baby girls, they both have a special relationship with this river which looks like a cradle of tragic stories.
Mum is Pouring Rain by Hugo De Faucompret, coproduced by Laïdak Films and dandelooo:
8-year old Jeanne is a strong-minded young girl. Her mom is going through a depression and decides it's time to get help, so she sends her daughter to spend the Christmas vacation with Grandma Oignon in the country. Jeanne thinks that her mother has gone on vacation without her, and is not happy about it. But during her vacation, Jeanne meets new, unexpected friends: Sonia and Leon, two local kids, and Cloclo, the gigantic hobo who lives in the forest. Thanks to her new pals, Jeanne will learn that, after all, life can be a ball!
Navozande, the Musician by Réza Riàhi, produced by Estrella Productions:
At the time of the attack of the Mongols, a young musician and the love of his life are separated from each other. Fifty years later, the musician is summoned to perform at the castle of the Mongols where his beloved is being held.
Souvenir Souvenir by Bastien Dubois, coproduced by Eldorado Production, ARTE France, and Pictanovo:
For ten years I pretended I wanted to get my grandfather to share his memories of the Algerian War. Today, I’m not sure I want to hear what he has to say, or whether I want to make this film at all.
Live action films:
The Criminals by Serhat Karaaslan, coproduced by Tiresias Films, Castalia Pictures, and Karaaslan Film:
In a small town in Turkey, a young couple tries to find some privacy. They are rejected from every hotel because they don't have a marriage certificate. Just when they think they have found a way to get around this hitch, the situation degenerates.
You’re Dead Helen by Michiel Blanchart, coproduced by Formosa Productions, and Daylight Films:
Maxime, a young man in search of stability, is literally haunted by the ghost of his girlfriend Hélène, who died recently. Wishing to put an end to this unhealthy situation, Maxime finally decides to break-up with her. But Hélène doesn’t seem ready to accept the decision.
Censor of Dreams by Raphaël Rodriguez and Léo Berne produced by Iconoclast Films:
Every night, The Censor and his team are moderating Yoko's dreams. Tonight though, nothing happens as planned.
