Maggie Simpson in “The Longest Daycare"

This year's group of Oscar-nominated animated short film directors exemplifies creativity and diversity in their approach to design, story and animation style.  In a series of in-depth and personal interviews, they share their insights and opinions about their films, from initial ideas to production techniques and challenges.  Read them all exclusively on AWN.com.

Every year the group takes a photo in front of this gigantic statue of Po from Kung Fu Panda. This year's tour group includes (from left to right) John Kahrs (Paperman), Tim Reckart (Head Over Heels), David Silverman (Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"), Minkyu Lee (Adam and Dog), Fondhla Cronin O'Reilly (Head Over Heels) and Ron Diamond.

By Kira Formina

Today, February 14th, is Valentine’s Day, and there’s plenty of love in the air aimed at the directors of the nominated animated shorts.  Two more have joined us today - Paperman director John Kahrs and Adam and Dog director Minkyu Lee.  We are all greeted by host Victor Fuste in the PDI/DreamWorks lobby. The group decides to have lunch during the screening and come up for the Q&A session afterwards.

Apple Computers Q&A

By Kira Formina

It’s the first day of the Northern-California leg of the annual AWN Oscar® Showcase Tour, a crisp, foggy morning in San Francisco. At about 9:20 am, already running a few minutes late, the four of us pile into the van on the way to Electronic Arts. Ron Diamond, the inexhaustible host and promoter of this unique event, takes the wheel as Tim Reckart navigates, while Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly and I are in the back.