ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures have announced plans to release this year’s Oscar-nominated short films in 200 theaters across the U.S. and Canada on Feb. 10, 2012. Three theatrical programs will give audiences around the country an opportunity to watch the nominated shorts in the animation, live-action and documentary categories prior to the 84th Academy Awards telecast on February 26th. This year will mark the second theatrical outing for the nominated Documentary shorts, after an enthusiastic reception from audiences for last year’s inaugural run.
Last year, the theatrical release of the nominated shorts broke previous records by grossing over $1,350,000 nationwide and playing in significantly more theaters than in previous years. Since the inception of the program in 2005, attendance has grown by 800%.
The nominated short films will also be released individually on iTunes from February 21st in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany and other iTunes Stores throughout the world. The release will also be available via cable’s Movies On Demand (MOD), distributed by leading MOD distributor, iN DEMAND L.L.C. and will be available via Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Brighthouse, Cablevision and Cox Communication.
“This year’s Oscar-Nominated Short Films ride the wave of the rapidly growing popularity of short movies. Audiences are watching them and filmmakers are responding,” said Carter Pilcher, Chief Executive of Shorts International. “The Academy chose films that are incredible entertainment, animations that are solidly family-friendly, live action films ranging from heart-warming to out-right hilarious and short docs dealing with issues of immediate interest. Like many of the best picture nominees this year, these movies are light, fun and great entertainment.”
The animated nominees are:
| Dimanche/Sunday | Patrick Doyon, director (National Film Board of Canada) |
| The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore | William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, directors (Moonbot Studios LA, LLC) |
| La Luna | Enrico Casarosa, director (Pixar Animation Studios) |
| A Morning Stroll | Grant Orchard, director and Sue Goffe, producer (Studio AKA) |
| Wild Life | Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby, directors (National Film Board of Canada) |
For more information, visit www.shorts.tv/theoscarshorts or www.facebook.com/shortshd
