Best Animated Feature Film - 98th Academy Awards

The Art of Animation

Animated Feature Film celebrates the art of bringing drawings, models, and computer-generated imagery to life. These films showcase incredible artistry, storytelling innovation, and technical mastery that appeals to audiences of all ages while pushing the boundaries of what animation can achieve as a cinematic medium.

Animation is not the art of drawings that move, but the art of movements that are drawn

Arco

A24 / Sony Pictures Animation

Director: Jorge R. Gutiérrez

Animation Style: 3D Computer Animation with 2D Elements

Runtime: 112 minutes

Voice Cast: Newcomer voices with cameo by Diego Luna

Notable: First collaboration between A24 and Sony Pictures Animation

"Arco is about time—not just time travel, but the time we have with each other. We created a unique visual style that blends futuristic 3D environments with hand-drawn 2D character moments to show the contrast between the cold future and the warmth of human connection. It's a sci-fi adventure that's really about friendship and hope."

Animation Highlights:

Time Travel Visual Effects Environmental Storytelling Future-Past Contrast Hybrid 2D/3D Style Character-Driven Adventure

PIXAR STUDIOS

Elio

Pixar Animation Studios

Director: Adrian Molina

Animation Style: Pixar's Signature 3D Animation

Runtime: 106 minutes

Voice Cast: Yonas Kibreab, America Ferrera, Jameela Jamil

Notable: First Pixar film centered on a Black protagonist

"Elio is a story about a boy who feels like he doesn't belong anywhere—until he discovers he might belong everywhere in the universe. We pushed our animation tools to create cosmic environments that feel both scientifically accurate and magically wondrous. It's about finding your place in the world, even when that world is the entire cosmos."

Animation Highlights:

Cosmic Visuals Alien Character Design Space Environment Emotional Storytelling Pixar Innovation

KPop Demon Hunters

Netflix Animation / Studio Mir

Director: Park Sunghoo

Animation Style: Korean 2D Animation with 3D Elements

Runtime: 98 minutes

Voice Cast: K-pop idols providing voices and music

Notable: Features original K-pop soundtrack and choreography

"We wanted to create something that celebrates both traditional Korean folklore and modern K-pop culture. The challenge was animating dance sequences that feel authentic to K-pop performances while integrating supernatural elements. Each demon design is based on actual Korean mythological creatures, reimagined for contemporary animation."

Animation Highlights:

Dance Sequence Animation Korean Folklore Design Musical Integration Action Choreography Cultural Fusion

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Studio Ghibli / Folivari

Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Animation Style: Hand-drawn Watercolor Aesthetic

Runtime: 102 minutes

Voice Cast: Bilingual child actors in French and Japanese

Notable: Co-production between Studio Ghibli and French studio Folivari

"This film is a meditation on childhood, memory, and the beauty of ordinary moments. We used watercolor techniques to capture the ephemeral quality of rain and memory. The animation style changes subtly as Amélie grows, reflecting her evolving understanding of the world around her. It's about finding magic in everyday life."

Animation Highlights:

Watercolor Animation Atmospheric Storytelling Cross-Cultural Visuals Emotional Subtlety Hand-Drawn Craftsmanship

DISNEY ANIMATION

Zootopia 2

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Directors: Byron Howard & Rich Moore

Animation Style: Disney's Advanced 3D Animation

Runtime: 118 minutes

Voice Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba

Notable: Sequel to the 2016 Academy Award-winning film

"With Zootopia 2, we wanted to expand the world while staying true to what made the original special. We've introduced new districts of Zootopia, each with unique ecosystems and animal habitats. The animation technology has advanced so much since 2016—we can now create fur, feathers, and scales with unprecedented detail while maintaining the heart and humor fans love."

Animation Highlights:

Advanced Fur Simulation Expanded World Building Animal Character Animation Comedic Timing Environmental Detail

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