About this episode
Today, voting for the 2026 Oscar shortlists began, lasting all week – these 20 (or, er, 26) Oscar-qualified live-action and animated shorts are all eligible. Whether or not they make the shortlist (some of them will), here's why you might want to watch – from mermaid folk horror or brutal griffin hunts to gentle tales of the lists we make in life, or coming of age as an immigrant. Letterboxd lists Eligible live-action shorts – category analysis Eligible animated shorts – category analysis Eligible documentary shorts The Rankings TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA – trailer – info – full film * MERCY – interview – info JANE AUSTEN'S PERIOD DRAMA – interview – info JUST THE USUAL – trailer – info THE PEARL COMB – trailer – info PORELESS – trailer – info – full film * THE GIRL WHO CRIED PEARLS – trailer – info DALY CITY – trailer – info – full film * HURIKÁN – trailer – info RETIREMENT PLAN– trailer – info – full film * TRAPPED – review – info GIGI – trailer – info – full film * (French or German subtitles only) ONE LAST ROUND – trailer – info KOVARTY – trailer – info – full film * SCARS WE LOVE – trailer – info – full film * (French subtitles only) EM & SELMA GO GRIFFIN HUNTING – VFX panel – info THE SECOND TIME AROUND – trailer – info – full film * (UK only) MARCIA AND THE SHARK – trailer – info – full film * THE SINGERS – trailer – info LES BÊTES – trailer – info – full film * BEYOND SILENCE – trailer – info – full film * (Dutch subtitles only) HOLY CURSE – trailer – info – full film * MERCENAIRE – trailer – info ONE DAY, THIS KID – trailer – info – on Kanopy & Criterion PLAYING GOD – trailer – info MUSHROOM DAD – review – info *May disappear when shortlists / nominations are announced (or sooner). Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: lorehounds@thelorehounds.com Or, send us a voicemail! You can use the voicemail tool on our website, thelorehounds.com/contact OR record a note on your smartphone and email it to us at the same address. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates https://linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy