The short film “Dad’s not home”, directed by Jan Saczek and produced at the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School in Katowice, has been included on the prestigious shortlist for a nomination at the 98th Academy Awards in the category of Best Live Action Short Film. This marks another major international achievement for the production.

The film recently won a Student Academy Award (Student Oscar) in the Narrative category – one of the most significant distinctions for emerging filmmakers worldwide, granted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). This accolade qualified the film for the Oscar race, and its presence on the shortlist places it among the titles with a genuine chance of securing an official nomination.

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on 22 January 2026. From the fifteen shortlisted films in the Live Action Short Film category, a final five will be selected to compete for the statuette.

“Dad’s not home” is a moving story about two underage brothers who conceal from the outside world the fact that their father suffers from frontotemporal dementia. Determined to stay together, the boys take on responsibility for running the household and caring for their ill parent, confronting a form of adulthood they are not yet prepared for. Told with restraint and emotional precision, the film explores themes of family loyalty, premature maturity, and the fragility of everyday security.

The full list of shortlisted films is available here.

DECEMBER 2025