The animated category seemed at first glance to be wide open, withHayao Miyazakis critically acclaimed filmThe Boy and The Heronleading the pack by only the tiniest of margins.
Miyazaki faced strong competition on home turf from the local entryChicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, the latest and only the second stop-motion in the popular franchise from Bristols much-loved Aardman Animations.
Both films were up against the might of Hollywood, in the shape of Pixars not-much-loved family filmElemental, which premiered at Cannes, and SonysSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, believed to be the most likely winner, furthering the studios commitment to cutting-edge animation and proving an unlikely franchise of its own with is use of myriad styles to reflect the kaleidoscopic nature of the multiverse.
‘The Boy and the Heron’Studio Ghibli
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That Miyazaki won bodes well for the Japanese auteurs Oscar chances, ending an 18-year streak of US-funded productions winning Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs that began in 2006 withHappy Feet, and making it the first Japanese production ever to win the title.
Surprisingly, its also also the first win for 83-year-old Miyazaki, who has a loyal following in the UK.
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Less surprisingly, and in synch with his apparent determination to make this his last film as director, the enigmatic auteur declined to appear to collect his award, making no comment and leaving it in the capable hands of presenters Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott, stars ofAll of Us Strangers.The Boy and The Heron, in a which a young boy, in typical magical Miyazaki style, befriends a talking bird, premiered in its homeland in July before rolling out internationally in December.
