Oscar for Best Animated Feature 2021

[Sotiris]

Every article I read said Arlo was a movie. But I guess we'll have a better idea of whether it's a movie or an extended pilot for the series closer to release.

I managed to track down the press release and it's referred to as a movie there too, so I decided to include it. I also included Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans which is a feature-length series finale to Tales of Arcadia. These are really TV projects, but if Netflix gives them a qualifying run in theaters they'll have the option of submitting them to the Oscars.

[estefan]

Sony has sold "Wish Dragon" to Netflix.

Sony already has Connected, Peter Rabbit 2, Vivo and Hotel Transylvania 4 waiting a release this year, so I can understand the need to sell this to Netlix in order to give themselves more room on the schedule. Although wow, Netflix is going to be packed with animated movies in 2021, if everything opens on time. There are going to be so many Best Animated Feature contenders next year.

With Disney, Sony and Netflix all having plenty of animated films currently set for 2021, I think we need to prepare ourselves for the inevitability that a few of our favourites won't get nominated, because of how competitive the category will be.

[Sotiris]

Sony has sold Connected to Netflix and changed the film's title back to its original one.

Netflix Buys Lord and Miller Animated Film ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ From Sony
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netf ... 234889393/

[D82]

This is the second animated movie they sell to Netflix. Sony doesn't have a streaming service, right? Otherwise, they could steam these films themselves. It's curious that they've changed the title. I liked the Connected one and the logo, but I guess The Mitchells vs. The Machines is probably the one the directors or producers wanted and Netflix has let them keep it.

By the way, the first look at 20th Century Studios' Ron's Gone Wrong, another film about robots, has been revealed on the latest issue of Empire Magazine.

[estefan]

Into the Spider-Verse reportedly found a big audience when it hit Netflix in the US (a lot of people were even upset at the movie leaving the service last month, even though you can just buy the movie if you want. The Blu-Ray and DVD are pretty inexpensive now). So I wonder if those numbers encouraged Netflix and Sony to make these deals.

[D82]

So I wonder if those numbers encouraged Netflix and Sony to make these deals.

They probably did. I've also read the other day that Netflix wants more family-friendly content to compete with Disney+, so that must also be another reason why they're acquiring these films.

[Sotiris]

This is the second animated movie they sell to Netflix. Sony doesn't have a streaming service, right?

No. They used to have Crackle, but they sold it.

It's curious that they've changed the title. I liked the Connected one and the logo, but I guess The Mitchells vs. The Machines is probably the one the directors or producers wanted and Netflix has let them keep it.

I think that's what happened too. Lord and Miller probably requested the change and Netflix allowed it. I prefer Connected to the original title. The Mitchells vs. The Machines is quirky and has more character as a title, but I think Connected worked better because its dual meaning reflected the film's themes. Connected referred to people's dependence on their digital devices and technology, but also to the importance of families staying together.

By the way, the first look at 20th Century Studios' Ron's Gone Wrong, another film about robots, has been revealed on the latest issue of Empire Magazine.

The character design looks generic and uninspired. Not to mention, the concept of a kid befriending a robot is very derivative. Aside from Iron Giant and Big Hero 6, there's also the more recent Next Gen. No wonder Disney is burying this movie.

[Sotiris]

Articles.

“What We Need Are Poets and Inspiration”: Pros From ‘Encanto’, ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ and the THR Animation Roundtable
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235052506/

THR’s Full Animation Roundtable Now Available on ‘Behind the Screen’
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235057476/

How ‘Luca,’ ‘Vivo’ and ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ Sound Designers Created Sonic Landscapes of Animated Worlds
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235058879/

‘Encanto,’ ‘Flee’ and ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ Artists Detail How They Designed Their Animated Characters
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235069482/

Designing Characters From Gabi in ‘Vivo’ to Dr. Armstrong in ‘Boss Baby: Family Business’
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235071226/

From Storyboard to Screen: How Editors From Animated Oscar Hopefuls Helped Craft Their Films’ Stories
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235081313/

How Animated Oscar Nominees Explore Family Trauma in Kid-Friendly Stories
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235090810/

‘Encanto,’ ‘Flee’ and More Filmmakers Break Down Looks of Animated Secondary Characters
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie ... 235106080/

From ‘Encanto’ to ‘Flee,’ Animation Oscar Race Heats Up With Mix of Global Contenders
https://variety.com/lists/oscar-animati ... anto-flee/

How ‘Summit of the Gods,’ ‘Flee’ and More French Animations Reaped Benefits From Global Toon Boom
https://variety.com/2021/film/spotlight ... 235124487/

Features Toons Sensitive to Diverse Cultures in Storytelling and Characters
https://variety.com/2022/film/spotlight ... 235150863/

How Do Voters Define ‘Best’ in Diverse Animated Feature Category
https://variety.com/2022/film/spotlight ... 235150920/

Animation Directors Use New Tech and Styles to Tell Modern Stories
https://variety.com/2022/film/spotlight ... 235164683/

Producers of ‘Encanto,’ ‘Mitchells vs. the Machines’ and More Discuss Power of Animation and Oscar Noms
https://variety.com/video/encanto-mitch ... animation/

Voice Actors for ‘Encanto,’ ‘Mitchells vs. the Machines,’ ‘Raya,’ ‘Luca’ Talk Recording From Home, Staying in Character for Years
https://variety.com/2022/film/spotlight ... 235200500/

Animation That’s More Than Kids’ Stuff
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/movi ... ovies.html

Feature Animation Faces the Music: Exclusive Interviews with Top Composers
https://www.animationmagazine.net/featu ... composers/

[D82]

They used to have Crackle, but they sold it.

Thanks for confirming. There are so many streaming services nowadays and they don't always have the same name as the studio, so for me it's not easy to keep track of them.

I prefer Connected to the original title. The Mitchells vs. The Machines is quirky and has more character as a title, but I think Connected worked better because its dual meaning reflected the film's themes. Connected referred to people's dependence on their digital devices and technology, but also to the importance of families staying together.

I agree on everything. I think you described it perfectly.

The character design looks generic and uninspired. Not to mention, the concept of a kid befriending a robot is very derivative. Aside from Iron Giant and Big Hero 6, there's also the more recent Next Gen. No wonder Disney is burying this movie.

I agree, the characters look worse than I had expected. As for the story, there are some details mentioned in the Empire Magazine article that could differentiate it from other movies about a kid and a robot; but judging by how it looks, I don't think the quality of the story will be too good either.

[Sotiris]

Two animated films that were initially slated for this year have been pushed back to 2022.

Paramount Pushes Animated Pic ‘Rumble’ to 2022
https://deadline.com/2021/01/paramount- ... 234682152/

‘Minions: The Rise Of Gru’ Heads To 2022
https://deadline.com/2021/03/f9-minions ... 234706609/

[Sotiris]

Two more animated films are coming to Netflix this year.

‘My Little Pony’ Movie Skipping Theaters to Debut on Netflix
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/para ... 234902328/

Netflix Picks up Chinese Fantasy Film ‘New Gods: Nezha Reborn’
https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/netf ... 234909219/

[Sotiris]

Twelve feature films have been selected in the Feature Film category and nine in the Feature Film Contrechamp category at the 2021 Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

Feature Film

01. The Ape Star
02. The Crossing
03. The Deer King
04. Flee
05. Jiang Ziya
06. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
07. Lamya's Poem
08. Lion Dance Boy
09. My Sunny Maad
10. Poupelle of Chimney Town
11. Snotty Boy
12. You Animal!

Feature Film Contrechamp

01. Absolute Denial
02. Archipelago
03. Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People
04. Chicken of the Mound
05. City of Lost Things
06. Climbing
07. Cryptozoo
08. Mount Fuji Seen From a Moving Train
09. My Uncle José

Update: Flee won the top prize, the Cristal for a Feature Film as well as the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution. My Sunny Maad won the Jury Award while The Crossing won the Jury Distinction. Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People won the Contrechamp Award while Archipelago won the Contrechamp Jury Distinction.


Twelve feature films have been selected for competition at the 2021 Animation Is Film Festival.

01. Belle
02. The Crossing
03. The Deer King
04. Flee
05. Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
06. I Am What I Am
07. Josep
08. Nahuel and the Magic Book
09. Pompo: The Cinephile
10. Poupelle of Chimney Town
11. The Summit of the Gods
12. Where Is Anne Frank

Update: Flee won the top honor, the Grand Prize, while Belle won the Special Jury Prize. The Crossing won the Audience Award.


Twelve feature films have been nominated for Anime Movie of the Year at the Anime Trending Awards 2021. Update: Josee, the Tiger and the Fish won in the category.

01. Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
02. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 — Thrice Upon a Time
03. Fate/Grand Order the Movie: Divine Realm of the Round Table — Camelot Wandering; Agateram
04. Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel III — Spring Song
05. Given: The Movie
06. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
07. Love Me, Love Me Not
08. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway
09. Princess Principal: Crown Handler — Chapter 1
10. The Stranger by the Shore
11. Violet Evergarden: The Movie
12. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop


Eleven feature films have been nominated for Best Animation at the Hochi Film Awards 2021. Update: Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko won in the category.

01. Belle
02. Child of Kamiari Month
03. Earwig and the Witch
04. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 — Thrice Upon a Time
05. Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
06. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
07. Junk Head
08. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway
09. Poupelle of Chimney Town
10. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
11. True North


Ten feature films have been nominated for Movie of the Year at the Reddit Anime Awards 2021. Update: Pompo: The Cinephile won the Jury vote while Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train won the Public vote.

01. Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
02. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 — Thrice Upon a Time
03. Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel III — Spring Song
04. Gintama: The Very Final
05. Looking for Magical Doremi
06. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway
07. Pompo: The Cinephile
08. Shirobako: The Movie
09. Violet Evergarden: The Movie
10. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop


Seven feature films have been nominated for Best Animation Film at the Mainichi Film Awards 2021. Update: The House of the Lost on the Cape won in the category.

01. Belle
02. Dozens of Norths
03. Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
04. The House of the Lost on the Cape
05. Junk Head
06. Pompo: The Cinephile
07. Sing a Bit of Harmony


Six feature films have been nominated for Ibero-American Animation Feature Film at the Quirino Awards 2021. Update: A Costume for Nicholas won in the category.

01. A Costume for Nicholas
02. Lava
03. The League of 5
04. Monster Zone
05. Nahuel and the Magic Book
06. Xico's Journey


Six feature films have been nominated for Best Film at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2021. Update: Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train won in the category.

01. Belle
02. Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
03. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 — Thrice Upon a Time
04. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
05. Shirobako: The Movie
06. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop


Five feature films have been nominated for European Animated Feature Film at the European Film Awards 2021. Update: Flee won in the category.

01. The Ape Star
02. Even Mice Belong in Heaven
03. Flee
04. Where Is Anne Frank
05. Wolfwalkers


Five feature films have been nominated for Best Animated Film at the Lumières Awards 2021. Update: The Summit of the Gods won in the category.

01. Around the World in 80 Days
02. The Crossing
03. Dragon Princess
04. Pil's Adventures
05. The Summit of the Gods


Five feature films have been nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2021. Update: The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks won in the category.

01. Beauty Water
02. Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
03. The Knight and the Princess
04. The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks
05. Where Is Anne Frank


Five feature films have been nominated for Animation of the Year at the Japan Academy Prize 2021. Update: Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 — Thrice Upon a Time won in the category.

01. Belle
02. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 — Thrice Upon a Time
03. Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
04. Jujutsu Kaisen 0
05. Sing a Bit of Harmony


Four feature films have been nominated for Best Animated Film (Theatrical Release) at the VFX Japan Awards 2021. Update: Belle won in the category.

01. Belle
02. Earwig and the Witch
03. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 — Thrice Upon a Time
04. Poupelle of Chimney Town


Four feature films have been selected for competition at the 2021 Tokyo Anime Award Festival. Update: My Sunny Maad won the Grand Prize for Feature Animation while Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People won the Award of Excellence.

01. Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People
02. The Case
03. City of Lost Things
04. My Sunny Maad


Four feature films have been nominated for Best Feature Film at the 2021 Manchester Animation Festival. Update: Flee won in the category.

01. Absolute Denial
02. Flee
03. My Favorite War
04. My Sunny Maad


Four feature films have been nominated for Best Feature Film at the BAFTA Children & Young People Awards 2021. Update: Wolfwalkers won in the category.

01. Klaus
02. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
03. Over the Moon
04. Wolfwalkers


Four feature films have been nominated for Best Animated Film at the Goya Awards 2021. Update: Valentina won in the category.

01. Automatic Gora
02. Mironins
03. Save the Tree
04. Valentina


Four feature films have been nominated for Best Animated Film at the Platino Awards 2021. Update: Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon won in the category.

01. Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon
02. Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People
03. Save the Tree
04. Valentina


Three feature films have been nominated for Best Animated Film at the César Awards 2021. Update: The Summit of the Gods won in the category.

01. The Crossing
02. Even Mice Belong in Heaven
03. The Summit of the Gods


Three feature films have been nominated for Best Long Form Animation at the British Animation Awards 2021. Update: Ron's Gone Wrong won in the category.

01. Ron's Gone Wrong
02. Sesame Street: The Monster at the End of This Story
03. Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas


One feature film has been nominated for Best Feature Animation at the Ariel Awards 2021 which makes it the winner by default.

01. Turu: The Wacky Hen

[Sotiris]

This is the third animated film Sony sells to Netflix this year.

Sony Animation Lin-Manuel Miranda Musical Pic ‘Vivo’ Headed To Netflix
https://deadline.com/2021/04/sony-anima ... 234744464/

[D82]

^I think you posted the wrong link, Sotiris. I've read the article, though. Is the synopsis in it new? I don't remember having read some of those details before. It sounds more interesting than I thought. I didn't know Rich Moore was one of the producers either.

[Sotiris]

I think you posted the wrong link, Sotiris.

Thanks, I've corrected the link.

Is the synopsis in it new? I don't remember having read some of those details before. It sounds more interesting than I thought. I didn't know Rich Moore was one of the producers either.

I think so. Personally, I didn't find it very interesting. I'm not that into animal movies and also I found it too similar to Blue Sky's Rio.

[D82]

Personally, I didn't find it very interesting. I'm not that into animal movies and also I found it too similar to Blue Sky's Rio.

Some elements reminded me of that film too, but the main plot actually seems quite different from Rio's to me.

[Farerb]

I haven't seen The Mitchells vs. the Machines yet but it has a lot of great reviews, it made me wonder if we could see another year where Sony wins again instead of both Pixar and WDAS. Actually there are many original animated films coming this year that I'm not even sure that all three Disney/Pixar films will be nominated.

[D82]

Yes, it seems it's a competitive year. Raya and the last Dragon had good reviews, so right now I think it has a good chance of being nominated, but we'll have to wait and see how Luca, Encanto and the other films are received.

[Sotiris]

Variety has posted their early predictions for the Oscars. I don't agree with their picks. This year's nominee selection lies in whether My Father's Dragon, Pinocchio, and Wendell & Wild actually get released in 2021. It also depends on whether Mamoru Hosoda's Belle gets picked up by GKIDS. I do agree that Encanto will win though.

Best Animated Feature

“Cryptozoo” (Magnolia Pictures)
“Encanto” (Walt Disney Pictures) *Predicted Winner*
“Flee” (Neon)
“The Mitchells vs. The Machines” (Netflix)
“Spirit Untamed” (DreamWorks Animation)

Source: https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/os ... 234963513/

[Farerb]

Unless Luca is a complete dud like The Good Dinosaur, I don't see it not being nominated. And Spirit Untamed?! It just looks awful, not the kind of movie that the academy would care about, even the animation looks like it was made 20 years ago.