Ryan looks like animation’s only shoo-in this year. Image courtesy of Copper Heart Ent. and the National Film Board of Canada.

The other thing that Paramount has in its favor is that it doesn’t have to divide its attention between more than one film. It tried to squeeze Team America: World Police into the category, because the Academy rules mention puppets, but the governing board cut the strings on that idea and showed that without them those foul-mouth marionettes aren’t that animated. So if Paramount really wants the nomination, they just have to go out and fight for it.

But not to be neglected by an emphasis on the features, the Animated Short category seems to be as certain as last year’s win for Finding Nemo. Chris Landreth’s Ryan has been snatching up prizes all over the globe and seems destined take home the golden guy. The other contenders are Mike Gabriel’s Lorenzo, Sejong Park’s Birthday Boy, Pjotr Sapegin’s Gjennom Mine Tykke Briller (Through My Thick Glasses), Georges Schwizgebel’s The Man Without a Shadow, Greg Holfeld’s Get in the Car, Arthur des Pins’ The Crab Revolution and Alexander Korejwo, Caroline Leaf and Perez Luc’s Suite for Freedom.

But, this is all speculation. We’ll know the results come Jan. 25, 2005, when the Academy announces the nominees. In the end, what’s really a true statement in the Animated Feature and Shorts category is that it’s just nice to be nominated.

Note: Of the 11 films to have received an Oscar nomination for best animated feature — five have been 3D and six have been 2D.

Rick DeMott is managing editor of Animation World Network. He recently contributed to a coffee table book on the history of animation for Flame Tree Publishing, entitled Animation Art. Previously, he served as the production coordinator for sound production house BadaBing BadaBoom Prods and animation firm Perky Pickle Studios. Prior to that position, he served as associate editor of AWN.