Oscar-nominated short films are returning to the Riviera Theatre beginning tonight, and continuing on Fridays and Saturdays leading up to the 95th Academy Awards on March 12.

An annual event that began in 2010, the downtown Three Rivers theatre will offer various dates and times for showings in three categories: live-action, documentary, and animated shorts. Festivities kickoff tonight, Friday, February 24, with live-action short films beginning at 7 pm. For those unable to make it this evening, two additional showings are scheduled for March 4 and March 11. With a running time of 110 minutes, the five films hail from Denmark, Norway, Italy, Luxembourg, and United Kingdom, and carry a PG-13 rating equivalent for adult themes. 

Documentary shorts are scheduled for February 25, March 4, and March 10, and the five films have a rating equivalent of PG-13/R and a running time of 165 minutes. These Oscar shorts are coming to viewers from India, the United Kingdom, and three from the United States. Covering topics ranging from climate change in the arctic to the recovery and survival of an orphaned elephant, these films have already won several awards at festivals internationally.

Animated short films will be screened on February 25, March 3, and March 11. Four of the films are suitable for kids 10 and older but the final short, My Year of Dicks, is for adult audiences only. Created and written by Pamela Ribon, the story comes from her critically-acclaimed memoir depicting “an imaginative 15 year-old who is stubbornly determined to lose her virginity despite the pathetic pickings in the outskirts of Houston in the early 90s.” A 30-second card will appear before the film begins warning it is intended for adult audiences and is not suitable for children, and patrons will be given a short break so that, if they choose, they can exit the auditorium. With a running time of 95 minutes, the other titles come from Australia, Canada, Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom. 

In addition to its artisanal pizzas, fresh sandwiches, and wide selection of cocktails, the Riviera Theatre will also be offering the Golden Margarita in celebration of the Academy Awards, which they say is “the next best thing to holding an Oscar.”

Showtimes for Oscar-Nominated Short Films:

Live Action Shorts: 2/24 @ 7 p.m., 3/4 @ 7:30 p.m., & 3/11 @ 5 p.m.

Documentary Shorts: 2/25 @ 4:15 p.m., 3/4 @ 4:15 p.m., & 3/10 @ 6:15 p.m.

Animated Shorts: 2/25 @ 7:30 p.m., 3/3 @ 7 p.m., & 3/11 @ 7:30 p.m.