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Funimation to Submit Summer Wars for Oscar Nomination

Hollywood blog TheWrap reports and ANN has confirmed that Summer Wars for consideration at the next Academy Awards. According to the site, the movie would be the 14th submission for the Best Animated Feature category. The Oscars rules are such that if there are 16 eligible films for the Best Animated Feature, there will be a total of five nominees; if there are fewer than 16, the pool of nominees will be only three.

Funimation notes that it has "a few more deadlines to meet" but is excited "to bring this beautiful film to the attention of the movie-going public. Hosoda is a gifted storyteller and an animation visionary." Funimation also confirmed that it is working with distributor GKIDS, which "guided The Secret of Kells to its Academy Award nomination last year."

In October 2009, it was began its theatrical run in Japan in August of 2009. Other qualifications for Oscars eligibility include length (over 40 minutes) and a theatrical run in Los Angeles County with paid ission, advertising, and specific equipment. Funimation confirmed that such a run is planned for Summer Wars starting in December, with dates, times, and theaters to be announced. The film must also meet the definition of an animated feature, which specifies how much of the film must be animated.

The Summer Wars anime film was Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip.

Image © Summer Wars Film Partners