2017 Oscar Nominations: Filmmaker Reactions
Filmmaker reactions are starting to come in from those who have been nominated in the animated feature, short, and vfx categories.
Animated Shorts
Blind Vaysha
Theo Ushev, director: “It’s really fantastic to get this nomination. I’m over the moon! But this honor is not just for me: I want to thank my collaborators, especially my producer, Marc Bertrand, and the author, Georgi Gospodinov. So the entire NFB will be over the moon, at a big party on the moon with Vaysha!”
Borrowed Time
Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, directors, and Amanda Deering Jones, producer: “We set out 6 years ago to make a very different film from Borrowed Time. We stumbled and failed and picked each other up along the way, with the goal of simply making something that would find its audience. What started as a group of friends making a film for the love of it has turned out to be the journey of a lifetime. Never was the prospect of attending the Oscars in our minds. But here we are. We are so deeply grateful for this nomination!”
Pear Cider and Cigarettes
Cara Speller, producer: “We’re completely thrilled and delighted at the news obviously! Our film seems like a bit of an outsider in this race — in almost all areas — so this was a very unexpected result!”
Pearl
Patrick Osborne, director: “I continue to feel proud of the world wide team of artists and coders that made Pearl a reality. Thanks especially to the pirates of Google ATAP for rallying behind our little labor of love and thanks to the Academy for this morning’s recognition!”
David Eisenmann, producer: “We are incredibly honored by this morning’s nomination of our Pearl. Pearl is dedicated for all parents and those that create beauty and possibility out of everyday life. Thanks to the Academy and the heart and spirit behind Google Spotlight Stories and our global crew that made it possible.”
Piper
Alan Barillaro: “I was watching my kids grow, learn and take brave steps in the journey of growing up when the idea for Piper came to me. Since bringing it out into the world, I have realized Piper is very much like a child to me, and I’ve watched with awe as it has been embraced by audiences worldwide. Now, to be recognized with a nomination is truly humbling. To the Academy, and all those that have helped shepherd Piper along her way, I am truly thankful.”
Animated Features
Kubo and the Two Strings
Travis Knight, director/producer: “I’m over the moon! An Academy Award nomination is an extraordinary and cherished gift. Two nominations is more than anyone could hope for. Every filmmaker dreams of a moment like this. But the truth is, I already lived my dream by making this film. Movies have always given me great joy. They enriched my life. They inspired me to dream. That’s the kind of film our team at Laika sought to make with Kubo and the Two Strings. A film is a slice of a hundred souls. In this case many more. An incredible, immense community of artists gave ceaselessly and selflessly to breathe life into this story. I’m so thankful for their talents and efforts and so proud of what we’ve done together. I’m profoundly grateful to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who somehow saw fit to include us among the finest storytellers in film. It is a tremendous honor to stand alongside them.”
Moana
John Musker and Ron Clements, directors, and Osnat Shurer, producer: “Hello, and a grateful ‘Thank you, Academy!’ from Sweden, where we are currently promoting Moana. We’re beyond honored and excited – for the film, for all of our colleagues at Disney Animation, and also for Lin-Manuel and his nomination for ‘How Far I’ll Go,’ which perfectly captured Moana’s spirit of adventure and exploration.”
My Life As A Zucchini
Claude Barras, director: “To see My Life as a Zucchini nominated as one of the world’s five best animation films is a rare and incredible feeling. Our foremost wish was to tell a story to children, one that teaches them not to be afraid, not to respond to violence with violence, and to break down the walls that prevent us from sharing our differences. The way in which the film and its message have been received have completely overwhelmed us. We have to thank all of those who created this film with much love. To receive such love in return today is the most beautiful of rewards for all of us. We would like to share this honor with all of those who supported us in Switzerland, in France, in Europe and now in the United States.”
The Red Turtle
Michael Dudok de Wit, director: “I’m delighted that our animated feature film The Red Turtle has been nominated by the members of the Academy! It’s fantastic! What an amazing honor for all of us who worked on the film with so much dedication and so much passion.”
Zootopia
Byron Howard and Rich Moore, directors, and Clark Spencer, producer: “We want to thank the Academy for honoring the hard work and passion that each and every artist put into Zootopia – the film, and its message of unity in a complex world, has been recognized in ways we couldn’t have possibly imagined.”
Rich Moore, co-director:
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Thank you @TheAcademy for the best animated picture nomination for @DisneyZootopia! ✨??✨— Rich Moore (@_rich_moore) January 24, 2017
VFX
Doctor Strange
Stephane Ceretti, vfx supervisor: “Very thankful to the Academy for the nomination today. What an incredible list of films and great people to be amongst. Thank you Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Scott Derrickson, Susan Pickett and the amazing team at Marvel. Congratulations to my partners on the film Richard Bluff, Vincent Cirelli, Paul Corbould, and the many artists who all contributed so much.”
Kubo and the Two Strings
Steve Emerson, Oliver Jones, Brian McLean, Brad Schiff, visual effects leads on Kubo: “As much as Kubo and the Two Strings is an homage to Japanese culture and to woodblock artists including Kiyoshi Saito, it is also a tribute to special effects pioneers Ray Harryhausen, Willis O’Brien, Jim Danforth, and the many innovative fx artists who tell stories using in-camera effects, puppets, and human hands. We’re thrilled for the artists at Laika who put years into realizing Kubo. For all of us at the studio, being recognized alongside such distinguished and talented members of the vfx community is truly an honor.”
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
John Knoll, vfx supervisor: “I couldn’t be more proud of the achievement on Rogue One. Although the Academy only recognizes 4 people on the nomination itself, visual effects is truly a team effort and we had an incredible team on this film. On behalf of the nearly 800 artists, technicians and production folks around the world that contributed tirelessly to the work you see on screen and equally important, everything that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen, we are deeply honored to receive this recognition.”
The Jungle Book
Rob Legato, vfx supervisor: “This nomination is such a thrill and at the same time quite humbling when you remember that we represent the vast contributions of a tremendous team of artists – from Jon Favreau’s expert direction, to the actors’ inspired performances and the partnership of the animators to bring those performances to life, to the cinematography, art direction, set design and lighting, the list goes on and on. While the film was virtually created there is nothing virtual about the caliber and artistic contribution of literally hundreds of filmmakers sharing one vision for the film. Disney’s support made for a warm and encouraging atmosphere in which all of us could do our very best work and enjoy such a rewarding opportunity. Receiving this Oscar nomination from our peers is beyond ‘the icing on the cake.’ Humbling indeed.”
