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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has unveiled its list of eligible films for the 96th Academy Awards, and the competition is fiercer than ever. With 300+ movies competing across Animated Feature, Documentary Feature, and International Feature Film categories, the 2024 Oscars promise a thrilling showcase of global cinema.
Animated Feature: A Stellar Lineup
A record 33 films are eligible for Best Animated Feature, including Hollywood heavyweights like:
– Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Sony)
– Elemental (Pixar)
– Wish (Disney)
International standouts like Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron (Japan) and Spain’s Robot Dreams challenge Hollywood’s dominance. India makes waves with Hanuman: The Mighty Warrior and Little Gully, marking a milestone for Indian animation.
Documentary Feature: Powerful Real-Life Stories
The 167 submissions for Best Documentary Feature set a new record. Key contenders include:
– 20 Days in Mariupol (Ukraine war)
– Beyond Utopia (North Korean defectors)
– The Elephant Whisperers 2 (India’s Oscar-winning sequel)
From climate crises (The Last Glaciers) to media ethics (While We Watched), these films highlight urgent global issues.
International Feature: A Global Showdown
Eligibility hits 88 films, with major entries like:
– Concrete Utopia (South Korea)
– The Teachers’ Lounge (Germany)
– The Kerala Story (India’s controversial pick)
Several—including The Zone of Interest (UK) and Fallen Leaves (Finland)—could also snag Best Picture nods.
What’s Next for the Oscars?
The Academy’s push for diversity and global inclusion is clearer than ever. India’s strong presence across categories signals growing recognition.
Stay tuned for shortlists in December as the race to the Oscars heats up!
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