Oscar-nominated movies get a lot of attention, but there are some that many movie-goers never get to see.
Those are the short films, both animated and live-action, gathered for special release once a year in two separate feature-length packages.
Two Sonoma County theaters will show the films, starting Friday, Jan. 31, at the Summerfield Cinemas in Santa Rosa, and Feb. 7 at the Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol.
The 2014 Oscar-nominated animated short films are:
“Feral,” (USA). A wild boy, found in the woods, returns to civilization.
“Get a Horse,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ homage to the first shorts featuring Mickey Mouse, with all-new, black-and-white, hand-drawn animation.
“Mr. Hublot,” (Luxembourg/France), about a character made partially of mechanical parts whose life is disrupted by the arrival of the dog Robot Pet.
“Possessions,” (Japan). An 18th-century man, lost on a stormy night in the mountains, enters a small shrine that leads to a different world.
“Room on the Broom,” (UK), based on the children’s picture book by Julia Donaldson, about a witch who invites animals to join her on her broom.
The 2014 Oscar-nominated live-action short films are:
“Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?” (Finland). A frantic mother tries to get to a wedding, despite family distractions.
“Helium,” (Denmark), about a dying boy who finds comfort in stories told by the hospital janitor about a magical land.
“Just Before Losing Everything,” (France). A woman leaves her abusive husband and takes refuge in the local supermarket where she works.
“That Wasn’t Me,” (Spain). A Spanish aid worker encounters an African child soldier.
“The Voorman Problem,” (UK). A psychiatrist is called to examine a prison inmate who thinks he’s a god.
For information:
Rialto Cinemas, 525-4840, rialtocinemas.com.
Summerfield Cinemas, 522-0719, summerfieldcinemas.com.