How to Get an Oscar Nomination: Lessons from Yuck!
Loïc Espuche’s Yuck! earned an Oscar nomination through a smart multi-phase release, festival strategy, and industry networking. This breakdown reveals key lessons for filmmakers.
Loïc Espuche's animated short film Yuck! (Beurk!, in French) has taken the world by storm since its release in 2024, earning critical acclaim and culminating in the biggest prize any filmmaker can ever dream of – an Academy Award nomination. But behind this success lies a carefully planned release strategy, unexpected challenges, and valuable lessons for filmmakers navigating the festival circuit and awards campaigns. Here’s what we can learn from Espuche’s experience.
1. Strategic Multi-Phase Release is Key
There are multiple ways a short film can be released, and carefully organizing a release schedule can be crucial to its success. One of the most important decisions Espuche and his team made was to structure the film’s release in three phases, taking advantage of each and every opportunity to promote Yuck!:
Festival Circuit: The team targeted the Berlinale’s Generation competition for their international premiere. This was a calculated move, as the Berlinale attracts both adult and young audiences, perfectly aligning with the film’s intended cross-generational impact. Their selection helped build momentum, leading to more than 150 festival selections and 41 awards.
Television Broadcast: Having the film pre-bought by several French TV channels (France TV, TV Tours, and Bip TV) allowed them to reach a wider audience. Timing the TV release with the Annecy Festival helped maximize exposure while aligning with the summer holiday audience. The film was later picked up by Movistar in Spain and a German TV channel, expanding its reach.
Theatrical Distribution: A crucial aspect of the film’s journey was securing a distributor, Cinéma Public Films, which included Yuck! in a program of five short films aimed at young audiences. The film’s theatrical run in France began in early February and is expected to continue in school circuits and the U.S. as part of the Oscar-nominated shorts screenings.
2. Understanding Oscar Eligibility and Leveraging Key Industry Players
Espuche’s Oscar campaign began with a meeting organized by their distributor, Luce Grosjean, with Benois Berthe Siward of The Animation Showcase. This meeting was pivotal, as it clarified that the film was eligible through theatrical release and set the stage for an organized campaign.
Another turning point was winning an Oscar-qualifying prize at the Austin Film Festival. This award validated the film’s potential and highlighted the importance of its script, which took three and a half years to develop. Once the film made the Academy’s Shortlist, the campaign intensified, requiring additional logistical efforts and financial backing.
3. The Realities of Running an Oscar Campaign
While an Oscar nomination can open doors, it also demands significant time, energy, and financial resources. Espuche and his team had to find ways to finance their trip to Los Angeles, attend events, and produce campaign content. This required a mix of approaching financial partners, launching a crowdfunding campaign, and even investing their own money.
The nomination itself catapulted Espuche and his producer, Juliette Marquet, into a whirlwind of interviews, screenings, and events. While the long-term impact on his career remains uncertain, he hopes the exposure will pave the way for more ambitious projects.
Key Takeaways for Filmmakers
Plan Your Release Strategically: A multi-phase strategy that includes festivals, TV, and theatrical distribution can maximize a short film’s reach and impact. Take some time to write it down and organize a release schedule that makes sense for your film.
Target the Right Festivals: Choosing festivals that align with your audience can increase your chances of success and further selections. Investigate and search for the festivals that fit the tone and the message of your short film, focusing on those that have a history of awarding films like yours.
Understand Award Eligibility: Researching eligibility criteria and connecting with industry players can significantly boost your chances of recognition. This also works for festival picking – focus on those that are Oscar-qualifying.
Be Prepared for the Costs of an Oscar Campaign: A nomination requires significant financial and logistical preparation, from funding travel to producing promotional content. Estimate your potential costs and look for ways to cover them – launching a crowdfunding campaign can always come in handy.
Leverage Momentum for Future Opportunities: Whether or not a film wins an Oscar, the exposure and connections made during the campaign can be instrumental in advancing a filmmaker’s career. Take advantage of every meeting or screening event to network and create meaningful connections in the industry.
Loïc Espuche’s journey with Yuck! is a testament to the power of strategic planning and persistence. Moreover, the scale of an Oscar campaign is immense, requiring not just financial resources but also industry know-how and experience, as we just learnt. Most filmmakers at this level have already executed similar strategies on a smaller scale earlier in their careers, honing their skills through festival runs, networking, and targeted promotion. Thus, Espuche’s experience serves as an invaluable roadmap for filmmakers aspiring to make a mark on the global stage. While being Oscar-nominated might seem like a distant dream, stories like this make it feel possible when you have a goal, plan ahead, and work hard towards it.