Oscars 2025: The Final 10 Shortlists Revealed Across Key Categories

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the eagerly awaited shortlists in 10 categories for the 97th Academy Awards®. These categories recognize exceptional contributions to the art of filmmaking, from breathtaking visual effects to powerful documentary storytelling. The final nominations will be announced on January 17, 2025, and the awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood.

Let’s explore each category and the complete list of shortlisted contenders.
 

Documentary Feature Film: Exploring Compelling Realities

Fifteen films have advanced in this category, chosen from 169 eligible entries. These documentaries capture the human experience in unique and profound ways.

Shortlisted Films:

1. The Bibi Files
2. Black Box Diaries
3. Dahomey
4. Daughters
5. Eno
6. Frida
7. Hollywoodgate
8. No Other Land
9. Porcelain War
10. Queendom
11. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
12. Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
13. Sugarcane
14. Union
15. Will & Harper
     

Documentary Short Film: Impactful Narratives in Brief

Fifteen films from 104 entries have been shortlisted for their ability to tell gripping stories in a short format.

Shortlisted Films:

1. Chasing Roo
2. Death by Numbers
3. Eternal Father
4. I Am Ready, Warden
5. Incident
6. Instruments of a Beating Heart
7. Keeper
8. Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World
9. Once Upon a Time in Ukraine
10. The Only Girl in the Orchestra
11. Planetwalker
12. The Quilters
13. Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr
14. A Swim Lesson
15. Until He’s Back
     

International Feature Film: Celebrating Global Cinema

Fifteen films from 85 countries and regions have made it to the shortlist. These films highlight diverse perspectives and cultural narratives.

Shortlisted Films:

1. Brazil, I’m Still Here
2. Canada, Universal Language
3. Czech Republic, Waves
4. Denmark, The Girl with the Needle
5. France, Emilia Pérez
6. Germany, The Seed of the Sacred Fig
7. Iceland, Touch
8. Ireland, Kneecap
9. Italy, Vermiglio
10. Latvia, Flow
11. Norway, Armand
12. Palestine, From Ground Zero
13. Senegal, Dahomey
14. Thailand, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
15. United Kingdom, Santosh
     

Makeup and Hairstyling: Transforming Characters

Ten films have been shortlisted for their exceptional work in transforming actors into characters through makeup and hairstyling.

Shortlisted Films:

1. The Apprentice
2. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
3. A Different Man
4. Dune: Part Two
5. Emilia Pérez
6. Maria
7. Nosferatu
8. The Substance
9. Waltzing with Brando
10. Wicked
     

Music (Original Score): 

Twenty scores have been selected from 145 eligible entries, showcasing the power of music in enhancing storytelling.

Shortlisted Scores:

1. Alien: Romulus
2. Babygirl
3. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
4. Blink Twice
5. Blitz
6. The Brutalist
7. Challengers
8. Conclave
9. Emilia Pérez
10. The Fire Inside
11. Gladiator II
12. Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1
13. Inside Out 2
14. Nosferatu
15. The Room Next Door
16. Sing Sing
17. The Six Triple Eight
18. Wicked
19. The Wild Robot
20. Young Woman and the Sea
     

Music (Original Song): Memorable Melodies

Fifteen original songs have been shortlisted, representing a range of genres and moods.

Shortlisted Songs:

1. Forbidden Road from Better Man
2. Winter Coat from Blitz
3. Compress/Repress from Challengers
4. Never Too Late from Elton John: Never Too Late
5. El Mal from Emilia Pérez
6. Mi Camino from Emilia Pérez
7. Sick in the Head from Kneecap
8. Beyond from Moana 2
9. Tell Me It’s You from Mufasa: The Lion King
10. Piece by Piece from Piece by Piece
11. Like a Bird from Sing Sing
12. The Journey from The Six Triple Eight
13. Out of Oklahoma from Twisters
14. Kiss the Sky from The Wild Robot
15. Harper and Will Go West from Will & Harper
     

Animated Short Film: Imaginative Stories

Fifteen films from 88 entries have made it to the shortlist in this category, showcasing creative storytelling.

Shortlisted Films:

1. Au Revoir Mon Monde
2. A Bear Named Wojtek
3. Beautiful Men
4. Bottle George
5. A Crab in the Pool
6. In the Shadow of the Cypress
7. Magic Candies
8. Maybe Elephants
9. Me
10. Origami
11. Percebes
12. The 21
13. Wander to Wonder
14. The Wild-Tempered Clavier
15. Yuck!
     

Live Action Short Film: Bold and Innovative

Fifteen films out of 180 entries are competing in this category, showcasing diverse themes and unique perspectives.

Shortlisted Films:

1. Anuja
2. Clodagh
3. The Compatriot
4. Crust
5. Dovecote
6. Edge of Space
7. The Ice Cream Man
8. I’m Not a Robot
9. The Last Ranger
10. A Lien
11. The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
12. The Masterpiece
13. An Orange from Jaffa
14. Paris 70
15. Room Taken
     

Sound: Immersive Experiences

Ten films have been shortlisted in the Sound category for their ability to create immersive auditory experiences.

Shortlisted Films:

1. Alien: Romulus
2. Blitz
3. A Complete Unknown
4. Deadpool & Wolverine
5. Dune: Part Two
6. Emilia Pérez
7. Gladiator II
8. Joker: Folie à Deux
9. Wicked
10. The Wild Robot
     

Visual Effects: Pushing Technological Boundaries

Ten films have been selected for their groundbreaking visual effects, demonstrating the possibilities of modern filmmaking.

Shortlisted Films:

1. Alien: Romulus
2. Better Man
3. Civil War
4. Deadpool & Wolverine
5. Dune: Part Two
6. Gladiator II
7. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
8. Mufasa: The Lion King
9. Twisters
10. Wicked
     

Key Dates and Conclusion

The final nominations for the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on January 17, 2025, after a week of intense voting from January 8 to January 12, 2025. The Oscars ceremony promises to be a star-studded event, celebrating the best in global cinema. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the nominees and prepare to mark your calendars for the grand event.