OSCARS 2025: Where to Watch the Oscar-Nominated Shorts for Free
The 2025 Oscars are just around the corner, and fans are eagerly awaiting the ceremony. For those who want to get a head start on the nominated films, we’ve got you covered. Some of the Oscar-nominated shorts can be found for free on YouTube, including “I’m Not a Robot” and “Instruments of a Beating Heart.”
Where to See the Short-Nominated for Free Oscar
There are two ways to watch the shorts: totally free or “almost” free if you’re signed up with a streaming platform. Let’s start with the free options.
I’M Not a Robot
“I’M Not a Robot” by director Victoria Warmerdam, competes in the category of Best Documentary Short Film. The short tells a simple story with existentialist undertones and black humor, all centered around a CAPTCHA. You can watch it for free on the New Yorker’s YouTube channel:
Instruments of a Beating Heart
“Instruments of a Beating Heart” is a short documentary that follows Ayame, a first-year student at a public school in Tokyo, Japan, as she participates in the primary orchestra to interpret Beethoven’s “Anthem to Joy.” The short, directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki, explores how fellowship and trust help overcome challenges, especially in Japanese culture. You can watch it for free on the New York Times’ YouTube channel:
Incident
“Incident,” directed by Bill Morrison, also competes in the Best Documentary Short Film category. The short examines the 2018 murder of a policeman in Chicago and the subsequent investigation. You can find it on the New Yorker’s YouTube channel, although it has age restrictions:
The Nominee Shorts That Can Be Found on Platforms
Anuja
“Anuja,” a short directed by Adam J. Graves, tells the story of a 9-year-old girl living in Delhi, India, who works in a clothing factory and gets the opportunity to change her destiny. You can find “Anuja” on Netflix:
The Only Girl in the Orchestra
“The Only Girl in the Orchestra,” another short competing in the Best Documentary Short Film category, celebrates the first woman to join the New York Philharmonic in 1966. The short, directed by Molly O’Brien, reflects on the extraordinary career of Orin O’Brien, a bass player. You can find it on Netflix:
I Am Ready, Warden
“I Am Ready, Warden,” produced and directed by Smriti Mundhra, documents the last days of John Henry RamÃrez, a prisoner sentenced to death. The short film can be found on Paramount Plus:
Wander to Wonder
“Wander to Wonder” is an animated short film directed by Nina Glanz, which addresses the different ways to face a duel through the history of a children’s TV program from the 80s. The short took 8 years to complete and can be rented on Vimeo:
Yuck!
“Yuck!” is an animated short film directed by Loïc Esfuche, which tells a story about the discovery of love during childhood through its protagonist Léo, who is secretly in love with his friend Lucie. You can find “Yuck!” on Vimeo for rent:
In the Shadow of the Cypress
“In the Shadow of the Cypress” is another animated short that can be found on Vimeo for rent. Directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, the Iranian short film tells the story of an ex-captain with post-traumatic stress disorder who lives with his daughter in isolation