Dogpatch Press

Oscar-related movie news: 2014 brought a wonderful new level of recognition for furries.  Finsterworld was short listed for German nominee for best foreign picture.  This smart, outrageous and thoughtful art-house drama was developed by consulting furries, who worked with the director to put fursuiters in the film.  It may be a somewhat obscure title to North American audiences, but it makes up with quality. The movie is excellent, not just because it’s furry… it’s worth a watch for anyone who’s into smart movies.

Fred Patten, historian and mega-respected elder fan, sent in the below piece.

Twenty Animated Features Qualify for the 2014 Oscar – But How Many Are Anthropomorphic?

On November 4, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that twenty animated features have been submitted for Oscar consideration in the 2014 animated feature category.  According to the Oscar rules, there will be five finalists chosen from these twenty for the final ballot.

But how many of the twenty are anthropomorphic? That depends on what you consider anthropomorphic. Here is an alphabetical list of the twenty, with those that are arguably anthropomorphic noted.

• Big Hero 6 – yes. Baymax, the “balloon-man” robot.
• The Book of Life – no.
• The Boxtrolls – yes. The Boxtrolls.
• Cheatin’ – no.
• Giovanni’s Island – no.
• Henry & Me – no, unless you consider ghosts to be anthropomorphic.
• The Hero of Color City – yes. Crayons, Gnewt.
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 – yes. The dragons.
• Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart – no.
• Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return – yes. The Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodman, other Oz animals and living objects.
• The LEGO Movie – yes. LEGO blocks, especially the non-human characters; Uni-Kitty.
• Minuscule – Valley of the Lost Ants – yes. Black & red ants, ladybugs, other bugs.
• Mr. Peabody & Sherman – yes. Mr. Peabody.
• Penguins of Madagascar – yes.
• The Pirate Fairy – no, unless you consider pixies to be anthropomorphic.
• Planes: Fire & Rescue – yes. Anthropomorphized airplanes and cars.
• Rio 2 – yes. South American birds & animals.
• Rocks in My Pockets – yes, unless you consider the fantastic animals to be just figments of the narrator’s imagination.
• Song of the Sea – no, unless you consider selkies to be anthropomorphic.
• The Tale of the Princess Kaguya – no.

That’s twelve anthropomorphic and eight non-anthropomorphic animated features. – Fred Patten