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Katsuhiro Otomo's 'Combustible' Short Shortlisted for Oscar Nomination

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Friday the 10 animated short films that will advance to the voting process for the 85th Academy Awards. Among the films shortlisted are Katsuhiro Ōtomo (Akira, Steamboy, Memories) and Sunrise's "Combustible" ("Hi no Yōjin") short. A total of 56 pictures were originally qualified in the category. The list will be narrowed down to three to five films for the final nominees. The academy will announce its official slate of nominees on January 10.

The Academy announced last week that 21 films had been submitted for the Best Animated Feature Film category, including Goro Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's From Up On Poppy Hill and Isamu Imakake's The Mystical Laws.

Kunio Katō's "La Maison en Petits Cubes" won in the Best Animated Short Film category at the 81st Annual Academy Awards in 2009.

Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's Ponyo also qualified for a nomination in the feature film category in the 82nd Academy Awards, but did not receive one. Similarly, Mamoru Oshii and Production I.G's The Sky Crawlers and Masahiro Andō and BONES' Sword of the Stranger were among the 14 films submitted for the same category for the 81st Academy Awards; both were eventually accepted in the category but were not nominated.

Miyazaki's Spirited Away became the only Japanese animated feature to win an Oscar in 2002.

The 85th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on February 24.

Source: Deadline