In a bid for Oscar glory, Disney’s Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios have both earned nominations for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards. Pixar’s latest original film, “Elio,” and the long-awaited sequel “Zootopia 2” are both contenders in this prestigious category.
“Elio,” an imaginative story from Pixar, centers around a young boy obsessed with space who embarks on an extraordinary adventure. The plot kicks off with Elio sending a heartfelt message into the cosmos, saying, “So, if any aliens are listening, please come and get me. Okay, bye. I love you.” This innocent gesture inadvertently captures the attention of extraterrestrial beings.
Unexpectedly, Elio finds himself mistaken for the leader of Earth and is thrust into a series of intergalactic dilemmas. Through these adventures, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately realizing his true identity and belonging.
Co-director Madeline Sharafian explained the creative challenge behind the film: “It was a tall order for us to take a character who despises living on Earth at the beginning of the film, and completely change his mind.”
Mistaken for Earth’s leader, Elio goes on to navigate intergalactic crises. In the end, he discovers who and where he’s truly meant to be.
“It was a tall order for us to take a character who despises living on Earth at the beginning of the film, and completely change his mind,” Elio co-director Madeline Sharafian said.
Sharafian and co-director Domee Shi found a way to do just that.
In the Disney Animation Studios sequel “Zootopia 2,” rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return. The film introduced reptiles to the franchise. The duo digs into the creation of the animal metropolis audiences have grown to love.
Of course, all of this, not without a little chaos.
“Zootopia 2” co-director Jared Bush told ABC7 Eyewitness News, “They go on this crazy adventure. And it was really fun in this one, to dive back into the history of Zootopia and figure out how this whole place was created and then change how it was created over the course of the story.”
Zootopia took home the big award in this same category back in 2017.
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And back here on Earth, Sharafian said, “Our movie is in really, really great company.”
“Elio” and “Zootopia 2” share the nomination with KPop Demon Hunters, Arco, and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain.
Our neighbors at Pixar in Emeryville shared a bit about the Bay Area impact that was folded into the film.
Sharafian pointed to the incorporation of the region’s fog.
“I grew up in NorCal, so I’m like a big fog stan. I love that particular atmosphere,” she said. “And when we were looking at film reference, with like “E.T.” and “Close Encounters,” like the Spielbergian movies, they have a lot of fog – just like, everywhere.”
She continued, “And I’m like, wait! This is so satisfying. I love this look and it makes perfect sense for the movie.”
“Elio” producer, Mary Alice Drumm, also explained that a Mountain View research group – known for exploring the origins of life, extraterrestrial intelligence, and the mysteries of the cosmos – weighed in on this wild ride.
“The Bay Area’s so lucky that we have the SETI organization right here,” Drumm said. “Right in our backyard. So, Jill Tarter – one of the pioneers of SETI – was an influence on the film early on.”
In it, Elio is beamed up to the Communiverse, where representatives from galaxies far and wide organize. All of the magic and mystery, also reflective of the Bay Area region.
Domee Shi said, “The Bay Area is kind of like a Communiverse in a way. It’s full of characters from all walks of life. I think that’s definitely represented in the movie.”
Sharing her outlook for the film, Sharafian said, “The hope is, over the course of watching the movie, they (the audience) end up in a similar place as Elio, where you kind of see the Earth from afar and do remember how many wonderful people are there.”
March 15 is Oscar Sunday! Watch the 2026 Oscars live on ABC and Hulu.
Live red carpet coverage starts at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT with “On The Red Carpet at the Oscars.”Catch all the action on the red carpet live on ABC, or stream on Hulu and OnTheRedCarpet.com.The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. and will be followed by “The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose.”
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