Academy Award Nominations

This morning The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its nominees for Best Animated Feature. The nominees are:

Brave (Pixar-Disney) Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman

Frankenweenie (Disney) Director: Tim Burton

ParaNorman (Laika) Directors: Chris Butler, Sam Fell

The Pirates! Band of Misfits (Aardman-Sony) Directors: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt

Wreck-It Ralph (Disney) Director: Rich Moore

Nominated for Best Animated Short were:

Adam and Dog, Minkyu Lee, director (Lodge Films)

Fresh Guacamole, PES, director (PES)

Head over Heels, Timothy Reckart, director, and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly, producer (National Film and Television School)

Maggie Simpson in The Longest Daycare, David Silverman, director (Gracie Films)

Paperman, John Kahrs, director (Disney Animation Studios)

Reactions from the nominees themselves are coming in:

From Sam Fell and Chris Butler, directors of ParaNorman

“We are overjoyed that our movie has been Oscar-nominated! We made it with the unending support of brilliant producers and an amazing crew at LAIKA, a unique and cutting-edge studio. On behalf of all of them, we are so proud that the enduring craft of stop-motion has been acknowledged by the Academy — and that the individuality of Norman himself is being celebrated.”

From Peter Lord co-director of The Pirates: Band of Misfits

“This is amazing! We tried to do something a little different with THE PIRATES, in terms of tone and comedy, and it’s just brilliant that the Academy has responded to it in such a wonderful way.”

From Wreck-It Ralph director, Rich Moore:

“To have the Wreck-It Ralph team’s passion and years of hard work acknowledged by the Academy is an honor like no other. We are so proud, so grateful – I can’t wait to congratulate everyone in-person.”

From David Silverman, director of Maggie Simpson in The Longest Daycare:

“This amazing recognition from the Academy is the craziest wake-up call I’ve ever received. I’m very grateful to Jim Brooks, Al Jean – and especially Matt Groening, for creating “The Simpsons.” They all gave me the opportunity to explore the world of pantomime with what are normally very verbal characters. I also have to give a shout-out to my parents – who I just spoke to – and thank them for allowing me to draw on the walls as a child. It kind of worked out!”

From Minkyu Lee, director of Adam and Dog:

“I am very thankful to be nominated! I couldn’t wait to share it with my wonderful crew. I kept reading the list over and over to make sure that it’s really there and I’m not imagining it!”

From Paperman director, John Kahrs:

“It’s beyond an honor to have Paperman nominated for an Oscar. I can’t thank everyone on the team enough for their passion and hard work in making this dream project a reality.”

Congratulations to all the nominees. The winners will be announced on Sunday, February 24th, 2013.