Two Screen Ireland-supported short films, Retirement Plan and Éiru, shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards
Posted: 16th December 2025
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate the filmmakers and creative teams behind Retirement Plan and Éiru, two Screen Ireland-supported short films who have been shortlisted for Best Animated Short at the 2026 Academy Awards. Irish film Bugonia, produced by Element Pictures, was also shortlisted for Cinematography and Music (Original Score).
Commenting on the news, Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Eireann / Screen Ireland said:
“Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate the creative teams behind Screen Ireland-supported short films Éiru and Retirement Plan on their inclusion in the Academy Award shortlist announcements today. For two Irish animated shorts to be recognised in this way truly highlights the original voices and artistic vision that drives Irish animation. We wish the filmmakers every success as they enter the next round of voting.”
Retirement Plan and Éiru are two of the 15 films shortlisted from 113 qualifying entries to the Best Animated Short category.
Retirement Plan is funded by Frameworks, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and RTÉ's flagship animation short film scheme. Dissatisfied with life, Ray dreams of the beauty and joy he’ll find when work finally ends. Retirement Plan is narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, directed by John Kelly, with a script co-written by Tara Lawall and John Kelly. It is produced by Julie Murnaghan and Andrew Freedman for Antidote Films.
Éiru is funded by Cartoon Saloon, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and BCP Asset Management. Éiru is the smallest child of an Iron-Age clan. All she wants is to be a mighty warrior who is taken seriously by her kinfolk. But when the village’s well mysteriously dries up, only she is small enough to descend into the belly of the earth to investigate and bring the water of life back to her people. Written and directed by Cartoon Saloon veteran Giovanna Ferrari, and produced by Academy Award®-nominee Nora Twomey (The Breadwinner), Éiru was produced in association with HerStory, founded by award winning social innovator Melanie Lynch.
Nominations voting begins on Monday, January 12, 2026, and concludes on Friday, January 16, 2026. Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.