2010 Academy Award-Nominated Live-Action Short Films

Friday, February 19 - Thursday, April 1, 2010

A showcase of the five live-action short films nominated for this year’s Academy Awards..

KAVI Kavi is a boy in India who wants to play cricket and go to school, but instead he is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. Unsatisfied with his fate, Kavi must either accept what he’s always been told, or fight for a different life even if he’s unsure of the ultimate outcome. (USA/INDIA, 19 min., Director: Gregg Helvey)

THE NEW TENANTS A prying neighbour, a glassy-eyed drug dealer, and a husband brandishing both a weapon and a vendetta make up the welcome wagon. Set amidst the as-yet-unopened boxes and the hopes for a fresh start of two men on what might just be the worst moving day ever. Their new apartment reveals its terrifying history in a film that is by turns funny, frightening, and unexpectedly romantic. (Denmark/USA, 20 min., Director: Joachim Back)

MIRACLE FISH 8-year-old Joe has a Birthday he will never forget. After friends tease him, he sneaks off to the sick bay, wishing everyone in the world would go away. He wakes up to find his dream may have become a reality. (Australia, 17 min., Director: Luke Doolan)

THE DOOR – A father attempts to come to terms with the devastating effects of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. (Ireland, 17 min., Director: Juanita Wilson)

INSTEAD OF ABRACADABRA – Tomas is a bit too old for still living at home with his parents, but his failure to become a magician leaves him with no other choice. His father Bengt wants him to get a proper job. On Bengt’s 60th birthday party Tomas give him, and all his guests, an quite bizarre show. (Sweden, 22 min., Director: Patrik Eklund)

Also see our page on this year’s Animated Short Films.

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.