Best Animated Short Cut from Academy Awards Telecast

So, I've been re-watching the Best Animated Short nominees from the past ten years in order to solidify my ranking post, but a news report has come out saying that the Academy Awards would be cutting eight categories from being awarded live on its telecast in order to "streamline" the show. That's not to say that the categories won't be handed out, but it would be done pre-recorded in private and then aired during the live show. Still, the press release reports that the time saved from these categories moved to a pre-recorded format would provide "more time and opportunity for audience entertainment and engagement through comedy, musical numbers, film clip packages, and movie tributes." I've no idea what sort of extra stuff would be added, but I'd probably wager the bonus material are probably irrelevant. The Academy had previously excommunicated honorary Oscars to pre-recorded territory, and now those awards barely make a dent in public consciousness.

 And of course one of the eight categories banished to is Best Animated Short.

I suppose part of me isn't that surprised that Best Animated Short was given the axe. Live Action Short and Documentary Short were also on the cutting room floor*, and it's clear the Academy has a bias against the short film categories. It may not be so surprising for Live Action and Documentary since those are usually so hard to find, but animated shorts are usually out there in the public for all to see. It is still a cauldron of creativity and visual diversity. So yeah, I do feel that it is a shame that it won't be in the main ceremony. Heck, the reason why I started this blog in the first place was to try to show everybody that the Best Animated Short category is one that is worth watching, even going back nine decades.

So needless to say, I will not be watching the ceremony when it airs on March 27. I can find out what wins Best Animated Short by searching online.

*The other categories that were cut include Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Original Score, and Best Editing. That's the majority of the craft awards, and Best Editing is often viewed as a close analog to Best Picture.