Three short films made in Ireland longlisted for Oscars 2024

Three Irish short films from Screen Ireland's flagship short film schemes have been longlisted for next year's Oscars. 

The films - which include 'Lamb', 'Two for the Road', and 'Worry World' - are eligible in the Best Live Action Short Film and Best Animated Short Film categories at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards. 

Chosen out of a record-breaking 7,200 short film submissions to receive its world premiere as part of the Tribeca Film Festival's Official 2022 Selection, Sinéad O'Loughlin's 'Lamb' has gone on to receive 15 awards during its festival run as well as a nomination at this year's IFTA Awards. 

Starring Irish Rising Star Éanna Hardwicke and Aoife Duffin, the film takes place on an ordinary day for a woman and her child which takes a sinister turn when a stranger walks into their isolated rural home. 

'Two For The Road' began its festival run at this year's Galway Film Fleadh, picking up the Best Short Drama and Best Cinematography in the Short Film awards at the festival's closing ceremony. 

Focusing on Oscar and his father amidst spontaneous travels in 1990s Ireland, the film resonated with audiences abroad at the Newport Beach Film Festival as much as at home, receiving awards in the film's native Cork and Kerry. 

The film stars Ewan Morris in his screen acting debut and Steve Wall as the young boy's father. 

Jessica Patterson's 'Worry World' is set in a regimented world of black and white, where a rebellious young factory worker who thinks in colour makes an unexpected connection. 

The film received its World Premiere as part of the Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland shorts programme at this year's Galway Film Fleadh and went on to receive the James Horgan Award for Best Animated Short Film. 

It later received the Audience Award for Best Short - Animation at the Newport Beach Film Festival. 

All three films are now available for viewing by Academy members in the Academy Screening Room, with voting opening for members on December 14, 2023. 

The Academy will announce the shortlists of several categories on Tuesday, December 21, with the 96th awards ceremony taking place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday March 20, 2023.