Borge Ring (1921-2018)

So I had just found out about the passing of Borge Ring, the legendary Danish animator who was nominated for an Oscar for his 1978 film Oh My Darling..., and who won the coveted trophy seven years later for his masterful film Anna & Bella (although the Oscar itself was claimed by producer Cilia van Dijk. He was 97 years old. I suppose it's not entirely sad when a man lives to be 97. He's lived a full life and had numerous accomplishments that are completely separate from winning an Academy Award. It is still a time for mourning, especially for a man who made two of my favorite films that had ever been nominated in this category.

Best Animated Short 2018 - The Shortlist

Back in September, Cartoon Brew posted a list of films that had qualified for the Best Animated Short Oscar, either through winning festivals or Student Academy Awards or through public exhibition. Rather than post the entire list which is what Cartoon Brew already did, I eulogized Will Vinton instead. I decided to wait until the shortlist was announced before writing about them. Traditionally the shortlist had been announced at the end of November, but that day came and went with no announcement. Last year the announcement was announced on December 4, but that day came and went. I waited and waited and kept trying to find as many of the qualifying films as possible. At last, the Academy dropped the shortlist for nine different categories, including Best Animated Short. We finally have a list of the films that would be competing for the Best Animated Short Oscar!