Maggie Simpson in “The Longest Daycare”

United States, 2012, 5 Minutes

You might be surprised to learn that “The Simpsons” was nominated to win an Oscar. The wordless short packs witty and topical swipes at the country's education system into its four minutes and 30 seconds. The story sends Maggie, the Simpson family's youngest child, to daycare, where she's checked for lice, screened for weapons and sorted separately from the “gifted” students by a machine that admits its own fallibility (standardized tests, anyone?). While trapped in the “nothing special” section of the Ayn Rand School For Tots, Maggie risks it all to save a butterfly she found in a room full of paste-eaters.

Time Freak

United States, 2011, 12 Minutes

Ever wish you could go back in time and undo that embarrassing mistake you made or change that stupid thing you said? Sure you do. “Time Freak” depicts an amateur scientist who invents a time machine with the dream of traveling to ancient Rome –- until he’s sidetracked, neurotically amending his recent actions, getting stuck traveling around yesterday.

A Morning Stroll

United States, 2011, 7 Minutes

When a New Yorker walks past a chicken on his morning stroll, we are left to wonder which one is the real city slicker.

Henry

Canada, 2011, 22 Minutes (French — Subtitled)

Henry, a great concert pianist, has his life thrown in turmoil the day the love of this life, Maria, disappears mysteriously. He'll then discover the inevitable verdict of life.

Fresh Guacamole

United States, 2012, 2 Minutes

An unseen cook uses a series of unusual ingredients to prepare a bowl of guacamole.

This is the shortest film ever nominated for an Oscar.

West of the Moon

United Kingdom, 2010, 11 Minutes

Loosely based on several hundred interviews with children about their dreams, 'West of the Moon' is the story of one man's lost love and his strange path to redemption, aided along the way by a gambling robot, a wayward monkey, and a healthy dose of determination.

Intermission

Paperman

United States, 2012, 7 Minutes

The story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across from his office. With only his heart, imagination and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him.

The Shore

United Kingdom, 2011, 31 Minutes

The Shore is the inspiring story of two boyhood best friends - Joe (Ciarán Hinds) and Paddy (Conleth Hill) — divided by 25 years of misunderstanding. Their world and their friendship is shattered by the conflict escalating in Northern Ireland, the two boys' lives take very different paths until, 25 years later, Joe returns for the first time to his homeland with his 24-year-old daughter, Patricia. In his absence Paddy, his best friend, has married Joe’s former fiancée Mary. What happened all those years ago? Can old wounds be healed? The answer is in equal parts hilarious and moving.

Adam & Dog

United States, 2013, 16 Minutes

Dog walks Eden. Then one day he meets a strange creature, Adam. Side by side, they spend their days in the flourishing garden, and become inseparable companions — until a new creature arrives: Eve. After meeting this new companion, who is similar to him, Adam neglects Dog. But after the Fall of Man, when the two Humans must leave the Garden, he consorts with them into the realm of hardship.

Head Over Heels

United Kingdom, 2012, 11 Minutes

After many years of marriage, Walter and Madge have grown apart: he lives on the floor and she lives on the ceiling. When Walter tries to reignite their old romance, their equilibrium comes crashing down, and the couple that can't agree which way is up must find a way put their marriage back together.