ShortsHD The Short Movie Channel and Magnolia Pictures will release The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2013 in more than 260 theaters across the U.S., Canada, and Europe beginning February 1. This is the eighth year of the Oscar Nominated Short Film Theatrical Release. The announcement comes on the heels of last year’s record-breaking release, which was one of the top 50 grossing independent film releases in North America, earning more than $1,700,000 nationwide.

A key fixture of the awards season, the theatrical release featuring Live Action, Animation, and Documentary short films is the only opportunity for audiences around the country to watch the nominated shorts prior to the 85th Academy Awards ceremony on February 24.

This year’s release breaks new ground with a past Oscar winner in each category to host each film. Hosting the Live Action program will be director Luke Matheny, who won the Academy Award for his Live Action Short film God of Love (2011); hosting the Animated Shorts program are Bill Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, who won the Academy Award for their Animated Short Film The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2011); and hosting the Short Documentary program is Daniel Junge, co-director of last year’s Academy Award winner for Best Short Documentary Saving Face.

This year’s release includes the following Oscar-nominated short films:

Animation

 Adam & Dog – (director: Minkyu Lee, USA) The story about the dog of Eden. What happened in those first days of Creation that made Man and Dog so inseparable? The dog, as he lives through this curious world, encounters a strange creature; a human being named Adam – and with that discovers a new found connection to the world.

Fresh Guacamole - (director: PES, USA) Learn how to transform familiar objects into Fresh Guacamole!

Head Over Heels – (director: Timothy Reckart, UK) After many years of marriage, Walter and Madge have grown apart: he lives on the floor and she lives on the ceiling. When Walter discovers a long-lost memento of their wedding day, he tries to reignite their old romance. But it brings their equilibrium crashing down, and the couple that can’t agree which way is up must find a way to put their marriage back together.

Maggie Simpson in ‘The Longest Daycare’ (director: David Silverman, USA) Maggie Simpson spends a day at the Ayn Rand Daycare Center where she is diagnosed at an average intelligence level. Longing to be grouped with the gifted children, Maggie finds her destiny by rescuing a lonely cocoon from Baby Gerald, who is busy smooshing butterflies.

Paperman -(director: John Kahrs, USA) Paperman follows 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 the avenue 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.