With the Academy’s nominations announcement drawing closer by the day, it’s time to lay it all on the line with my final Oscar nomination predictions. And, with BAFTA nominations coming five days after the Academy’s announcement, we’re flying without that typical precursor stat. At least we have their longlists for some reference.
No disrespect to this year’s line-up, but the battle for Best Animated Feature is the dullest race of the season. Not only do we have a practically unstoppable frontrunner for the win in Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award winner KPop Demon Hunters, the four films set to join the list of five Oscar nominees have been essentially set in stone for weeks now.
KPop Demon Hunters, Zootopia 2, Elio, Arco, and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain all scored nominations at the Globes, CCA and the Annie Awards. The first three also nabbed nods from the PGA. All but one appear on the BAFTA longlist (KPop Demon Hunters was ineligible). There really isn’t room for anyone else to join the Oscar party.
Is there a chance of an upset? Eh, maybe.Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is probably the only contender that could score a surprise nod. However, it was entirely ignored by the Annie Awards, and I think that says it all, really.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE PREDICTIONS:
1. KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) – Annie, CCA, GG, PGA
2. Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios) – Annie, BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG, PGA
3. Arco (NEON) – Annie, BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG
4. Elio (Pixar) – Annie, BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG, PGA
5. Little Amélie or the Character of the Rain (GKIDS) – Annie, BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG
Alternate: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (Anaplex of America) – BAFTA longlist, GG, PGA
