Academy Award season is here. On March 7, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present the winners with an Oscar, one of the world's most famous and coveted statues. Categories include Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. A lesser known category is for short films, animated and live action.

The Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., is showing the Oscar-nominated shorts through Feb. 25. Each program, animated and live action, lasts about one and a half hours. The animated program contains five Oscar-nominated shorts and three bonus shorts. They aren't just pen and pencil animation; claymation and computer animation also are included.

"This is great," said attendee Maggie Williams. "You can't see these shorts anywhere else."

The nominees are from France, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain. Each animated short is in English or has no dialogue.

"I enjoy watching the different views on classic story themes," said viewer Sarah Smith. "The variety is a nice change and seeing anything at the Crest makes the occasion special."

British pair Wallace and Gromit are back with a short about a serial killer who is targeting bakers in a small town. It's the longest of the program, and delightful. Classic Wallace and Gromit humor hits full stride as the two deliver bread listening to "Puppy Love" by Doggy Osmond. Other shorts include "The Lady and the Reaper" from Spain and "French Roast" from France.

Each program, animated and live action, shows twice a day in the main theater on the weekends, once during the week. Showtimes are available on its website.

The Crest opened in 1949, though a theater has stood in the same lot since 1912. The theater re-opened in 1986 after sitting dormant for seven years. Gold leaf decor and high ceilings are a trademark, with marble entryways and a plush, red carpet completing the original look.

Admission is $9.50 general admission, $6 for seniors/students and matinee.

Writer's note: Before the first showing of the shorts, the curtain was raised and lowered in honor of Kathryn Grayson, who died. Grayson was when the Crest opened. She co-starred in the opening movie, "The Midnight Kiss." Grayson also attended the Crest's re-opening in 1986.