In this Movie List from The Film Magazine, we are looking at these movies in particular. The films that have spoken to us as a culture, have lasted long in our public consciousness, have been present for many a warm Christmas memory. These films are all under one hour in length – you can find our feature length selection in our 50 Unmissable Christmas Films list – and must be exclusively festive in nature. These are the most important, the most memorable, the most beloved, the 10 Best Christmas Short Films.

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10. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Rankin/Bass are one of the most famous animated short producers in film history, their contributions to seasonal fare living long in the public consciousness of those in the United States and beyond since their releases more than fifty years ago. The animation of this production house was so beloved that Jon Favreau famously fought for it to be paid tribute to in his 2003 Christmas film Elf (a unique aspect of this contemporary live-action film that separates it from many of its competitors). Rankin/Bass’s legacy is one that continues to find fondness generation after generation.

Frosty the Snowman was the final animated short made for (and released on) television that Rankin/Bass released in their most popular decade, the 1960s, and the first of a few Rankin/Bass films to make this list.

Based on the song of the same name by Walter E. Rollins and Steve Nelson, this 1969 version of the seasonal tale is harmless and fun, animated with all the soft lines and wholesome glow of the best Rankin/Bass films. It tells of a snowman and a small girl being pursued by a magician for the snowman’s magic hat, and aside from a few slightly scary scenes offers all the warmth and heart of the season.

Recommended for you: 5 Reasons ‘Elf’ Is a Gen Z Christmas Classic

9. Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999)

This uniquely animated Christmas musical released by Fox Television and Flower Films just before the turn of the century is as star-studded as it is lovely.

Based on the 1997 children’s book of the same name by Vivian Walsh and J. Otto Seibold, which in turn was based on the misunderstanding of the lyric “all of the other reindeer” as “Olive, the other reindeer” in the Christmas song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, Olive, the Other Reindeer follows Drew Barrymore’s titular Jack Russell Terrier who travels to the north pole to help pull Santa’s sleigh when it is discovered that Blitzen is injured and unable to fly.

Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, the seasonal short is stylish and beautifully brought to life by the voice actors, with the type of story that will bring plenty of smiles to faces, especially at Christmas. There’s even a song by Blitzen’s cousin Schnitzel, voiced by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. What more could you need?

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2022)
Directors: Peter Baynton, Charlie Mackesy
Screenwriters: Charlie Mackesy, Jon Croker
Starring: Jude Coward Nicoll, Tom Hollander, Idris Elba, Gabriel Byrne

The BBC and Apple TV+ animated children’s story book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is 2023’s all-star offering in the Oscars’ Animated Short category, experienced British and Irish actors Tom Hollander, Idris Elba and Gabriel Byrne lending their voices on the screen, with Emma, The Phantom of the Open and ‘Fleabag’ composer Isobel Waller-Bridge providing the score.

Adapting from the beloved 2019 children’s book of the same name are directors Peter Baynton and the book’s author Charlie Mackesy. Through a beautiful 2D hand-drawn animated style, the pair faithfully bring the illustrated tale to life, the film’s unique “sketch lines still visible” approach an endearing quality that presupposes that imperfections aren’t always bad.

In the case of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, these lines illuminate the animation’s hand-drawn artistry, allowing for a visual spectacle that people of all ages can enjoy alone or, as the film proposes, together.

This is an animated short that offers all the life lessons of a classic children’s novel. We see messages of acceptance, a celebration of kindness, an encouragement of intuition and intrigue, and a heap of wilful self-belief. It then reaches further, offering modern lessons on being emotionally available, open to pain and hurt and anxiety, but loving one’s self all the same. The children watching this film will no doubt have positive lessons reaffirmed, and the adults should feel as if old lessons have been retaught.

The voice work of the adults in the cast is no doubt stellar. Tom Hollander, known for so often playing despicable characters on British television, is a kindly mole here, and his voice work is soft, his words rolling out of his mouth as if a kind gift. His is the standout performance, but credit is due to young lead Jude Coward Nicoll, who anchors the whole piece with a warmth that reaffirms the film’s values. His is a vocal performance not handicapped by usual child performance woes, such as a whiny tone and questionable cadence, his is as mature and homely as the rest of the short film.

“When the big things feel out of control, focus on what you love. Always remember, you’re enough just as you are.” The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is enough just as it is, a short film with both classic and modern messaging neatly bowed by some beautiful animation and exceptional voice work; a real triumph of its author turned screenwriter turned director, and a cosy, encouraging and beautiful little piece of cinema.

Score: 20/24

The winners of the 76th EE BAFTA Film Awards (2023) were announced from the Southbank Centre in London, England on Sunday 19th February, with All Quiet on the Western Front and The Banshees of Inisherin taking home the evening’s major awards.

In a ceremony presented to those live in attendance by BAFTA-nominated actor Richard E. Grant, and co-hosted by beloved British television presenter Allison Hammond, a total of twenty awards were handed to what the British Academy of Film and Television Arts decided were the greatest feats in filmmaking from 2022.

All Quiet on the Western Front beat early favourite and British/Irish film The Banshees of Inisherin to the Best Film and Best Director awards, earning recognition in seven categories also including Film Not In the English Language and Adapted Screenplay. The Banshees of Inisherin, meanwhile, was recognised as the Outstanding British Film, earning further recognition in the Supporting Actor and Original Screenplay categories.

The ceremony itself was presented at a fairly fast pace, the broadcast of the awards beginning later than the ceremony itself and using its tape delay to catch up to live proceedings for the last three awards: Actor, Actress, Best Film.

Richard E. Grant was endearing in his duty as host, offering laughs here and there, his most memorable moment coming whilst choking up at the In Memoriam portion of the ceremony. Live musical performances were provided by BAFTA-winning actress Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), who performed a medley in tribute to empowered women on screen, and British musician Little Simz, whose performance of “Heart on Fire” has already been widely praised.

Iconic costume designer Sandy Powell (Gangs of New York, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Favourite) was honoured with the British Academy of Film and Television’s annual BAFTA Fellowship, an award handed to those whose careers have been immensely impactful to the British film industry. Her acceptance speech, championing those in the film industry beyond the glitz and glamour of the on-screen roles, was of admirable intent.

In the only award of the night chosen by the public, Emily star Emma Mackey won the EE BAFTA Rising Star award, the actress earning the public’s favour over fellow ‘Sex Education’ actress Aimee Lou Wood (Living), Good Luck to You, Leo Grande actor Daryl McCormack, Naomi Ackie and Sheila Atim.

The full list of winners for the 76th BAFTA Film Awards (2023):

Best Film – All Quiet On the Western Front
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Tár

Outstanding British Film – The Banshees of Inisherin
Aftersun
Brian and Charles
Empire of Light
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Living
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
See How They Run
The Swimmers
The Wonder

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer – Charlotte Wells (Aftersun)
George Oakley, Hélène Sifre (Blue Jean)
Marie Lidén (Electric Malady)
Katy Brand (Good Luck To You, Leo Grande)
Maia Kenworthy (Rebellion)

Film Not In the English Language – All Quiet On the Western Front
Argentina, 1985
Corsage
Decision To Leave
The Quiet Girl

Documentary – Navalny
All That Breathes
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Fire of Love
Moonage Daydream

Animated Film – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Turning Red

Director – Edward Berger (All Quiet On the Western Front)
Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Park Chan-Wook (Decision To Leave)
Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All At Once)
Todd Field (Tár)
Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King)

Original Screenplay – Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Tony Kushner, Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans)
Todd Field (Tár)
Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness)

Adapted Screenplay – Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell (All Quiet On the Western Front)
Kazuo Ishiguro (Living)
Colm Bairéad (The Quiet Girl)
Rebecca Lenkiewicz (She Said)
Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale)

Leading Actress – Cate Blanchett (Tár)
Viola Davis (The Woman King)
Danielle Deadwyler (Till)
Ana De Armas (Blonde)
Emma Thompson (Good Luck To You, Leo Grande)
Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once)

Leading Actor – Austin Butler (Elvis)
Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Brendan Fraser (The Whale)
Daryl McCormack (Good Luck To You, Leo Grande)
Paul Mescal (Aftersun)
Bill Nighy (Living)

Supporting Actress – Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Hong Chau (The Whale)
Dolly De Leon (Triangle of Sadness)
Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All At Once)
Carey Mulligan (She Said)

Supporting Actor – Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All At Once)
Eddie Redmayne (The Good Nurse)
Albrecht Schuch (All Quiet On the Western Front)
Michael Ward (Empire of Light)

Casting – Nikki Barrett, Denise Chamlan (Elvis)
Lucy Pardee (Aftersun)
Simone Bär (All Quiet On the Western Front)
Sarah Halley Finn (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Pauline Hansson (Triangle of Sadness)

Cinematography – James Friend (All Quiet On the Western Front)
Greig Fraser (The Batman)
Mandy Walker (Elvis)
Roger Deakins (Empire of Light)
Claudio Miranda (Top Gun: Maverick)

Editing – Paul Rogers (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Sven Budelmann (All Quiet On the Western Front)
Mikkel E. G. Nielsen (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Jonathan Redmond, Matt Villa (Elvis)
Eddie Hamilton (Top Gun: Maverick)

Costume Design – Catherine Martin (Elvis)
Lisy Christi (All Quiet On the Western Front)
J.R. Hawbaker, Albert Wolsky (Amsterdam)
Mary Zophres (Babylon)
Jenny Beavan (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris)

Make Up & Hair – Elvis
All Quiet On the Western Front
The Batman
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
The Whale

Production Design – Babylon
All Quiet On the Western Front
The Batman
Elvis
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Original Score – Volker Bertelmann (All Quiet On the Western Front)
Justin Hurwitz (Babylon)
Carter Burwell (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Son Lux (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Alexandre Desplat (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio)

Sound – All Quiet On the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of Water
Elvis
Tár
Top Gun: Maverick

Special Visual Effects – Avatar: The Way of Water
All Quiet On the Western Front
The Batman
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Top Gun: Maverick

British Short Animation – The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Middle Watch
Your Mountain Is Waiting

British Short Film – An Irish Goodbye
The Ballad of Olive Morris
Bazigaga
Bus Girl
A Drifting Up

EE Rising Star – Emma Mackey
Aimee Lou Wood
Daryl McCormack
Naomi Ackie
Sheila Atim

BAFTA Fellowship – Sandy Powell