Yesterday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the feature films eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 97th Academy Awards. Honorably, Kung Fu Panda 4, on which I had the privilege of being the lead TD, and The Wild Robot from DreamWorks Animation made it to that list along with other films like Inside Out 2 from Pixar and Moana 2 from Disney.

Even though I worked on Kung Fu Panda 4, I honestly don’t think it will be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. However, I strongly believe The Wild Robot will be nominated and could win the award. Because Kung Fu Panda 4 is not to the academy’s taste, but The Wild Robot surely is.

Shortlists for the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and nominations for the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on Friday, January 17, 2025. The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025.