Video: International Crowd Of Animators Vie For Oscar

The Animated Feature Film category at this year's Oscars cross international boundaries with contenders representing the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Japan. Directors and producers who were nominated attended a soiree at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills on Thursday (February 25), where they talked about what it meant to be up for the Hollywood's most coveted award.

Only two of the films are American - Disney Pixar's 'Inside Out' which brings emotions to life and the adult-themed stop motion animation 'Anomalisa'.

'Inside Out' has analysts buzzing about a potential Oscar win. Although the film earned over $800 million at the global box office, director Pete Docter says making movies is like any other blue-collar job.

The UK is represented by 'Shaun the Sheep Movie' from Aardman Animations and a spin-off from previous Oscar winner 'The Wrong Trousers' featuring Wallace and Gromit. Director Mark Burton says the ability to network with those in the industry at the Oscars is unparalleled, and says he's enjoying the thrill as the excitement mounts ahead of Oscar night.

'Boy and the World' (O Menino e o Mundo) hails from Brazil and has been receiving glowing reviews across the board for its hand-drawn animations and storytelling.

Japan's 'When Marnie was There' (Omoide no Mani) is from that country's famous award-winning animation house Studio Ghibli ('Spirited Away', 'Howl's Moving Castle'), and it's been reported that this could be the last film for that production house. Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi says that once he heard this could be it for Ghibli even more passion when into the film's production.

The Academy Awards will be held on February 28 in Los Angeles.