Ice Merchants 
Written and Directed by João Gonzalez
Portugal/France/UK
15 Minutes

This dialogue-free short animation breaks new ground for a Portuguese production as the country’s first-ever film to be nominated for an Academy Award ®. Hard to believe such a milestone for a European country can still be broken. Ice Merchants observes a day in the life of a close-knit father and son who are the occupants of a home attached to a cliff in mountainous surrounds. Their only form of socialisation comes by way of frequent parachuting to a village situated at ground level. What is at first a worthy casual viewing soon becomes a deeper investment when a threat to their peaceful existence arrives. Well thought-out and subtle revelations at its conclusion are quite touching and enormously elevate viewer appreciation.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

The Flying Sailor
Written and Directed by Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby
Canada
8 Minutes

All points of interest in this short film for me were down to what the filmmakers would derive from the devastating real-life event this short film’s premise is set upon. The Flying Sailor is essentially an 8-minute, 2 kilometre meditation of life’s fragility as a sailor goes hurtling through the air after the infamous 1917 Halifax explosion, where a French cargo ship loaded with explosives collided with a Norwegian vessel. Yep, true story – a sailor really did fly for 2 kilometres and lived to tell the tale! Though no lasting impression is left, there are flashes of wonder and ingenuity in this production courtesy of its ability to reminiscence cartoons of old and incorporation of some real footage.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It
Written and Directed by Lachlan Pendragon
Australia
12 Minutes

Some things don’t make sense upon first appearances. An Ostrich Told Me The World is Fake and I Think I Believe It just so happens to be one of those bizarre entities that needs some thinking, contemplation, and solemnity before you can truly admire any message being conveyed. While watching this film from first-time Brisbane-based filmmaker Lachlan Pendragon, I was reminded of a deconstructed meal, as the pieces of a fine short were present and accounted for, but purposefully weren’t put together in a coherent bundle. I actually had to put my thinking cap on in order to appreciate this piece of media, which meant my interest level and curiosity were maintained all throughout. Once this very short film with a very lengthy title had ended, I wondered exactly what makes a short Oscar-worthy… And I say that with all due respect, because I’ll be trying to figure that question out for the next couple of days. If it is just a intrigue and provocation which makes a genuinely fine piece of cinema, then I have a lot to learn. An Ostrich Told Me The World is Fake and I Think I Believe It has given me a lot to consider in this journey and the fact this rather experimental foray has earned its maker an Oscar nomination ® is already a win in itself.

Review by Zak for Moviedoc

My Year of Dicks
Directed by Sara Gunnarsdóttir
USA
26 Minutes

Initially captivated by the title and the potential for vicarious living, this film was an easy pic from this year’s Oscar nominated animated shorts list. Whilst the content that followed was deeply unexpected, it was not deeply unfamiliar and I realised I had lived through many of these things myself – nothing vicarious about it. It is refreshing to watch a film that so accurately depicts blooming female sexuality in a way that isn’t perverted by the male gaze (looking at you, Lolita). Told in five parts, the film works its way through many relatable and awkward moments in the awakening stage of teenage sexuality in girls (and those raised as girls). This is a beautiful example of women controlling their own narratives and sharing their experiences in their own words – what results is an authentic, relatable and important cinematic moment. 

Review by Jemma for Moviedoc

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Directed by Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesy
UK
33 Minutes

I’ve aged while watching The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, by what feels longer than the humble 32 minutes total runtime of this short film. This feeling creates both a full sense of satisfaction and an unsatisfying want for more. All of my complaints with the short come from its story, which feels both rushed and perfectly paced for its target audience: children. Their tiny attention span would accept the innocent twists and turns of the plot in here, from the incredible speed at which the fox’s personality and tone shifts, to the absolutely absurd resolution to the third-quarter conflict. I, as an adult, found myself chuckling at the incredible luck and rapidly developing maturity of these barnyard animals. The children this Christmas day release is intended for, however, would be more than charmed by this absolutely gorgeous production Apple have exclusively unleashed on its platform. Despite my minor gripes with the break-neck pace of its plot, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a heart-warming flick that may just be the most quotable piece of media I’ve seen in a long time. Packed to the brim with little corny lines about friendship and perseverance, the importance of confidence and admitting one’s own weaknesses, my chuckles were often cushioned by genuine sighs of grief as my heart suffered a concentrated attack. More than a couple of lines cut deep enough for me to reflect on my own life. I just wish there was a little more development offered for the adorable animals (and one small boy) introduced in this fluffy world. 

Review by Zak Wheeler for Moviedoc