Italian Stop-Motion Short 'Playing God' Makes Oscar 2026 Shortlist

The independent animation studio Studio Croma Animation has produced the short film 'Playing God', which has been shortlisted for the 2026 Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film. Directed by Matteo Burani and animated by Arianna Gheller, the stop-motion dark drama follows sculpture number 815, a clay figure that comes to life in a sculptor's workshop. The film uses three animation techniques: puppet animation, clay animation, and pixilation. Sole Piccininno created 50 nude sculptures for the film, drawing inspiration from zombies, demonic creatures, and malformations. The color palette of the clay, a wine-red plastilina, recalls Niccolò Dall'Arca's 'Compianto sul Cristo Morto' in Bologna. The short is an Italy-France co-production supported by Regione Emilia-Romagna through Emilia-Romagna Film Commission, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and the CNC. Italian distribution is handled by Sayonara Film, French distribution by Autour de Minuit. 'Playing God' has won over 80 awards, including the Nastro d'Argento 2025 for Best Animated Short Film, Best Short Film at the 24FRAME Future Film Fest 2024, the FEDIC Award at the Venice International Film Critics' Week, and the Jury Prize and Best Stop Motion at the Animayo International Film Festival in Gran Canaria, followed by Best Animated Short at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film has received over 160 official selections at festivals worldwide.