Wall-E, Bolt and Waltz With Bashir are among the 14 films that have been submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for possible nomination for Best Animated Feature Film a this year’s Academy Awards.
This year’s contenders strike a nearly even balance between output from domestic and foreign studios. The overseas hopefuls include Bashir, $9.99 from Australia, France’s Dragon Hunters, England’s The Tale of Despereaux and The Sky Crawlers and Sword Of the Stranger, both from Japan. In additino to WALL-E amd Bolt, Hollywood studios are represented by Delgo, Fly Me To The Moon, Igor, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!.
According to Academy rules, only three of the fourteen eligible films will be placed onto the voting ballot for the Academy Award.
If I had to guess as to which three films make the cut, I would go with the two most critically and commercially popular animated films this year, Kung Fu Panda, WALL-E, and something a little more arty, probably Waltz With Bashir. Of course, the Israeli-produced Waltz could also have a shot at a nomination for Best Foreign Language Feature. If nominated in both categories, could it win two Oscar statues, or would it lose votes in both categories from voters who may think that the film will win in the other category?
