UPDATE – January 3, 2019: This post has been updated to reflect the fact that every single one of the shortlisted animated shorts is now online. Some of them are available only for a limited period of time so watch them while you can.
Dreamworks Animation released online this morning its two new animated shorts — Bilby and Bird Karma — for a limited period of time.
The availability of these films marks a significant strategic shift from recent years when the shortlisted films were almost always kept offline even after the shortlist was announced. The scarcity strategy hurt everybody, especially the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, which was presenting an award for films that almost no one had seen.
Now, by releasing the films online, filmmakers have an opportunity to create awareness and discussion around their films, while the Academy benefits by having a category in which people are invested in the nominees and rooting for specific films.
And best of all, you can see the films. Check out all of the films below. We’ll update this post if other filmmakers decide to share their films online.
Age of Sail — John Kahrs (USA)
Animal Behaviour — Alison Snowden, David Fine (Canada)
Bao — Domee Shi (USA)
Heartwarming moments are meant to be shared. Bring home behind-the-scenes, exclusive footage from Bao and 10 other critically-acclaimed shorts when you get the Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 3 on Digital, @Movies_Anywhere, and Blu-ray today: https://t.co/aNv3akp3OZpic.twitter.com/hpnroh4xtm
