Three anime features are among the eleven films accepted as eligible for the Best Animated Feature Film award at the February 29th, 2004 Academy Awards.  A fourth, Cowboy Bebop:  The Movie, had been submitted, but was ruled not eligible due to its September, 2001 release in Japan.

 

The three anime are Pokemon Heroes, Millennium Actress and Tokyo Godfathers, which is eligible given it meets its scheduled before year's end release date (see 'Tokyo Godfathers to Open in Both Japan & US').

 

Disney totaled five of the eleven contenders in this year's list.  In addition to Pokemon Heroes, Disney has Brother Bear, Finding Nemo, The Jungle Book 2 and Piglet's Big Movie in contention for the cut to the final three nominees.  The other four with a shot at the Oscar are Looney Tunes:  Back in Action, Rugrats Go Wild!, The Triplets of Belleville and Jester Till (Till Eulenspiegel).  The eligibility of these last two films is subject to being released by year's end.

 

The three animated features that are chosen from this list of eleven as the Oscar nominees will be announced on January 27th, 2004.  Only three will be nominated due to the rule that allows that few when there are less than sixteen eligible.

 

As is often the case, movies and animated features can generate significant revenue beyond just the theatre box office receipts.  DVD releases, along with licensed products sales, can at times even total more revenue than the theatrical release (see 'Spirited Away Keeps on Trucking').