Stop-motion is as hands-on as the medium gets, though there are no such films competing this year. The Academy appreciates slick studio-grade animation, but not to the exclusion of smaller projects - especially those that require a painstaking amount of effort, which explains why even so-so Aardman movies make the cut. Voters routinely acknowledge the sheer industrial achievement represented by top-tier computer-animated films, such as Pixar’s “Luca” and the visually innovative “Mitchells,” which introduced an appealing doodled-over style in which the CG characters appear to be hand-embellished by the teenage lead character.
So what should Academy members be looking for in the cartoon category? In theory, obliging voters to watch all (or most) of the submissions gives smaller films a chance - compared to best picture, in which films must campaign for voters to watch them. For years, the first cull was done by members of the animation branch (many of them short filmmakers), who brought their professional expertise - and personal taste - to their selections, often skewing the noms toward more indie and artistic contenders.įour years back, the Academy adjusted the rules so any member can participate in the nominating stage, provided they commit to seeing enough of the eligible contenders. Part of the confusion around the category comes from a relatively small group of Academy members selecting the nominees, while the entire organization is free to vote on the winner.
Two years ago, “Frozen 2” failed to make the cut, and in many years, Illumination movies are routinely excluded.
In the past, popularity and box office success have been no guarantee of a nomination. On the other hand, “Mirai” nominee Mamoru Hosoda stands a real chance with “ Belle,” a standout anime submission. Many of the more eccentric submissions will be eliminated in the next phase - including perhaps anime entry “The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim,” a sort of inspirational/recruitment tool for Japan’s fringe Happy Science spiritual group.
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