This animated film is a co-production with the legendary Studio Ghibli, and managed to stun audiences at Cannes this year, so you can count on it being nominated for the Animated Feature Oscar. The animation branch goes out of its way to nominate hand drawn, international films to recognize the work of other countries, even if the rest of the Academy never even glances at them. That's how the Disney or Pixar hit wins every single year, no matter what else is nominated. I really don't think most of the voters in AMPAS give a shit about this category or bother watching any of the films, which is a real shame. Maybe they ought to let just the branch vote on this one, as opposed to the rest of the group, just to give someone else a shot once in a while. This looks outstanding, and I can't wait to look for it when it comes out in limited release this fall.
