Apple TV+ short gets Oscar nominations, 'Emancipation' shut out

'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse' is nominated for an Oscar

In 2022, Apple was the first-ever streaming recipient of the Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards for "CODA," and this year it is believed to have hoped for the same with "Emancipation."

"Emancipation" may have been overshadowed by Will Smith's controversial slapping of host Chris Rock at last year's Oscars ceremony. It was claimed at the time that the film would be pushed back to release later in 2023 in order to distance it from the event, though its director Antoine Fuqua later denied this.

Instead of a 2023 release, though, Apple TV+ unexpectedly brought it forward to 2022 to qualify for the 95th Academy Awards. Nonetheless, it has now missed out on all categories it was eligible for.

Apple was also believed to be hopeful of nominations for "Causeway," written by Ottessa Moshfegh, Luke Goebel, and Elizabeth Sanders, and starring Jennifer Lawrence. And it has received one — Brian Tyree Henry as Best Supporting Actor.

The hit Christmas tale "The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse" has been nominated for Best Animated Short Film. Executive produced by Jony Ive, the film was a co-production between Apple TV+ and the BBC.

The 95th Academy Awards ceremony is to be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023. It will be screened on ABC and Hulu Live.