Oscars, the prestigious awards ceremony that is eagerly awaited and looked forward for its legacy and honour, announced 16 animated features for the 88th Annual Academy Awards. In the Animated Feature Film category for the 2015 Oscar race, these 16 features have been submitted and will compete with each other to win the illustrious helm.
The submitted features include
Anomalisa
Directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson, this animated stop motion film is considered as the ‘most human film’ of the year as it involves a strange encounter which transforms lives. This blend of comedy and American drama will be released on December 30, 2015 by Paramount Pictures.
The Boy and the Beast
The Japanese animated film, directed by Mamoru Hosoda, portrays the story of astray Tokyo boy who learns the art of fighting under a bear-man. Released on 11 July, 2015 in Japan, this film is a concoction of two wild worlds and already earned $5.4 million at the Japan box office in its opening weekend.
Boy and the World
The Brazilian animated film, directed by Ale Abreu, is a story of a boy who undergoes predicament due to his father’s sudden departure. The film was released on 17 January, 2014 in Brazil.
The Good Dinosaur
Disney Pixar’s computer animated adventure, this film is a spell bound encounter of a little human and a cute dinosaur on an expedition to find their way back. Directed by Peter Sohn, this film is set to release on 25 November, 2015 and surely, display the quality and renowned art of storytelling of Disney Pixar.
Home
A DreamWorks Animation production and distributed by 20th Century Fox, this film is a quest of an alien wh is on the run from his own people and a little girl who is on a mysterious escapade. Directed by Tim Johnson, this science fiction animation bagged $386 million worldwide as it was released on 27 March, 2015.
Hotel Transylvania 2
A Sony Pictures Animation, this fantasy comedy of the Dracula and his world of monsters with another human entry is a sequel to the franchise. Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, this film was released on 25 September, 2015 by Columbia Pictures and garnered $375.3 million worldwide.
Inside Out
Disney Pixar’s comedy drama, this film is a conflict of various emotions of a little girl that come to life and squabble among themselves. Directed by Pete Docter, this film was released on 19 June, 2015 and accumulated over $842 million worldwide.
Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet
An adaptation from Kahlil Gibran’s book The Prophet, this film embarks the sentimental journey of a trio in a flow of emotions by the legendary author. This film released on 7 August, 2015 consisted of various segment directors but was mainly directed by Roger Allers and produced by Salma Hayek.
The Laws of the Universe – Part 0
A story of five high school students amidst a mysterious journey, this film was directed by Isamu Imakake. Emerging from the Anime genre, this film will open in Japan on 10 October, 2015.
Minions
An Illumination Entertainment production for Universal Pictures, this film is a spinoff of the yello characters of the Despicable Me franchise. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, this film was released on 10 July, 2015. This film became the 2nd highest grossing animated film as it acquired over $1.1 billion worldwide, and also became the 10th highest grossing film of all time.
Moomins on the Riviera
Based on the Moomin comic strips, this film is a traditional family showcase of the Finnish-French culture and a test of the unity and bonding of the family. Directed by Xavier Picard and Hanna Hemila, had a wide theatrical release on 22 May, 2015 and earned $1.4 million, further it will open in Los Angeles on 4 December.
The Peanuts Movie
Widely known as Snoopy and Charlie Brown; produced by Blue Sky Studios and distributed by 20th Century Fox, this film is their quest to impress the little red haired girl in their neighbourhood. Directed by Steve Martino, this film released on 6 November, 2015.
Regular Show: The Movie
Based on the cartoon Network original series- Regular Show, this film produced by cartoon Network Studios is a ‘back in time’ journey of a duo to save the universe. Directed by J. G. Quintel, this film is set to air on TV on 25 November, 2015.
Shaun the Sheep Movie
Based on the TV series, Shaun the Sheep, Aardman Animations created this stop motion animation of the flock of sheep in a busy city to rescue their farmer. Directed by Richard Starzak and Mark Burton, this film was released on 6 February, 2015and grossed $100 million.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water
Based on the Nickelodeon’s series SpongeBob SquarePants, this film is fun loving adventure of Sponge Bob along with his gang of friends. Directed by Paul Tibbitt, this film grossed $315.9 million worldwide and paid due respect to Nickelodeon’s franchise.
When Marnie Was There
Produced by Studio Ghibli, this film is the story of a distant adolescent girl who gets attached to a hypothetical girl who may not be real. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, this film was released in Japan on 19 July, 2014 and grossed Ą379 million during its opening weekend in Japan.
Several of the films have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and comply with other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process.
The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on 14 January, 2016 and the 88th Oscars will be held on 28 February, 2016. And with such movies competing against each other, who will win the Oscars is a tough task!