Although local animated film Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal produced by Les' Copaque Production did not make it to the final five in the best animated film category of the Academy Awards or Oscars, it did not dampen the spirit of the local film company to continue producing high-quality work of global ranking standards.

Les' Copaque Production managing director Burhanuddin Md Radzi said with the intense competition from Hollywood giants like Disney and Marvel and the decision in the hands of 300 judges, the results came as no surprise.

However, to become the country’s first film considered for the category and to be among 32 animated motion pictures from hundreds of entries received worldwide was already a proud achievement for the company.

“To be selected for nomination consideration, in fact, is an achievement. Our names are already included in the Oscar’s archive,” he said when contacted by Bernama after the announcement of the Oscar nomination.

The final five animated films nominated for the category were How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, I Lost My Body, Klaus, Missing Link, and Toy Story 4.

The RM20-million film featuring Malaysia’s favourite twins interacting with characters from traditional Malay folktales, such as “Mat Jenin”, “Raja Bersiong”, “Nakhoda Ragam” and “Si Tanggang” collected RM26 million at the local box-office last year.

The animated film was also nominated a finalist at the Palm Springs Animation Festival 2019 in California, USA, and was selected winner at the Montreal International Film Festival Animation 2019 (Animaze) in the Feature Film category.

The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Feb 9 in Los Angeles.

- Bernama