Shorts International has brought 10 more animated shorts to the iTunes Music Store, in an effort to showcase the “power of imagination, artistry and technology.” The list of films features such titles as Smile, Butterfly, The Freak, The Mantis Parable, The Unsteady Chough and Oola Oop L’eau De Ohh! The lineup also contains projects honored by the 2006 Academy Awards, including the shortlisted The Fan and the Flower, the nominated Badgered and The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, and the winning The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation. “These are extraordinary films, and we’re delighted they are now available on iTunes,” said Carter Pilcher, CEO of Shorts International. More about the titles now available for purchase:

– The Moon And The Son: An Imagined Conversation: Winner, 2006 Oscar for Best Short Animation. A son explores his difficult relationship with his dead father through an imaginary conversation about the older man’s past. Directed by John Canemaker and voices of John Turturro and Eli Wallach.

– The Fan And The Flower: Leading animator Bill Plympton, veteran TV Producer/writer Dan O’Shannon (Cheers, MASH, Frasier), and actor Paul Giamatti collaborate to bring this animated gem of an unusual love story. Shortlisted for 2006 Oscars…the perfect “gift film.”

– Smile: The menacing deeds of an evil Pirate lead Smile the happy face toy on a daring rescue mission to save his friend, the happy face balloon, from certain peril. Directed by Chris Mais.

– Butterfly: The full-length version of the popular animation used as an early Keane music video. This story of a lonely and desperate boy who finds salvation within the confines of a grimy public toilet is gritty and magical. Directed by Corin Hardy.

– The Mysterious Geographic Explorations Of Jasper Morello: 2006 Oscar nominee for Best Short Animation. Haunted by a tragic mistake, an aerial navigator leaves his wife and embarks on a voyage of hope. Directed by Anthony Lucas.

– Badgered: 2006 Oscar nominee for Best Short Animation. World war can’t stop a beleaguered badger as he tries to get some sleep. Heart-warming. Directed by Sharon Colman.

-The Freak: Set in a futuristic utopia where conformity is the highest law, a little dancing misfit manages to transform his world into a freakier place for all to enjoy. Directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas.

– The Mantis Parable: Everyone needs a hand but will one good turn end it all? A humble caterpillar trapped and with no means of escape shows the way to a bright future. Directed by Josh Staub. Described by film-critic Michael Medved as “artful and engaging…a skillful, thought-provoking, densely packed work with world class animation”. Animation World Magazine calls it “luminous…a visual stunner, a you-are-there tour of the inside of a household world we’re all too big to ever visit”. Dr. Ted Baehr, Founder/Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE, gives the film his “highest commendation” declaring that The Mantis Parable equals the best work that Pixar has ever done. Superb filmmaking. Subtle, transformative, and animated with an incredible attention to detail. It is excellent.”

– The Unsteady Chough: Talking birds? Drinking birds? Maybe. But a tipsy bird?! A sure smile. Directed by Sam Leifer and J. Van Tulleken and voice of Monty Python’s Terry Jones.

– Oola Oop L’eau De Ohh!: An afternoon at the pool turns into an opportunity for romance when the French coquette Natalie spots a hot male lifeguard. Natalie hatches a plan to get her man. Hilarious, multi-award winning short. Directed by Carolle-shelley Abrams.