21 Animated Features Submitted for Oscar Consideration

Apologies for the mini-hiatus, guys, I've been in London watching Monsters, Inc. 3D (review up later)! But, it's back to business as usual, with this exciting news from Friday: the list of the 21 animated feature films that have been submitted to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for consideration for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature have been revealed.

Included among the running are likely favourites Brave, Wreck-It Ralph and ParaNorman. Check out the full list, with studios (where known), after the jump break - with links to trailers and reviews where appropriate:

• Adventures in Zambezia - Triggerfish Animation Studios
• Brave - Pixar Animation Studios [review]
• Delhi Safari - Krayon Pictures
• Dr. Seuss' The Lorax - Illumination Entertainment [review]
• Frankenweenie - Tim Burton Productions/Walt Disney Pictures
• From Up on Poppy Hill - Studio Ghibli
• Hey Krishna (Krishna Aur Kans) - Relliance Animation
• Hotel Transylvania - Sony Pictures Animation [review]
• Ice Age Continental Drift - Blue Sky Studios
• A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman - Bill and Ben Productions
• Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• The Mystical Laws (Shinpi no Hō)
• The Painting - Blue Spirit Studios/BE-Films Studios
• ParaNorman - LAIKA Entertainment [review]
• The Pirates! Band of Misfits (The Pirates! in an Adventure with Scientists) - Aardman Animations [review]
• The Rabbi's Cat - Autochenille Production
• Rise of the Guardians - DreamWorks Animation SKG
• Secret of the Wings - DisneyToon Studios
• Walter & Tandoori's Christmas - Corporation Image Entertainment
• Wreck-It Ralph - Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Zarafa

It's worth noting that not all of these films will necessarily meet the requirements, as several haven't yet had their required LA theatrical run. 57 animated shorts have also been announced as having qualified for consideration in their category, including Paperman, Daffy's Rhapsody, Adam and Dog (last year's Annie winner in the short category) and The Simpsons short The Longest Daycare (via Cartoon Brew).

And because this is the time of year to venture predictions, here's mine:

• Brave
• Frankenweenie
• ParaNorman
• The Pirates!
• Wreck-It Ralph

Rise of the Guardians looks phenomenal, but I'm dubious as to whether the Academy will see it that way - it'd be great to see it nominated though. The Pirates! definitely should be nominated, but it's hard to judge; that said, the Academy have looked on Aardman favourably in the past, and often have with Studio Ghibli, so From Up on Poppy Hill could factor in as well. Also don't be surprised if a French animated film (The Rabbi's Cat maybe?) slips into the fold, as that's been the way in the previous few years. Basically, it's hard to predict!

Pixar are the pack-leaders with animation, undoubtedly, but with the (bizarrely) tepid reviews Brave received from some outlets, it's hard to call them the favourites this year. ParaNorman stands a great chance, but, personally, and given the great reviews it's received so far, I'd love to see Wreck-It Ralph win! It looks great, and that a Disney Animation Studios film has never won the Best Animated Feature Oscar just doesn't seem right; this very well could be the year to remedy that.

The nominations will be announced on 10th January, 2013, and the 85th Academy Awards, presented by Seth MacFarlane, will take place on 24th February, 2013 at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles.