Zootopia has recently added an Oscar to its list of recognitions as the animated film from Disney bags the Best Animated Feature Film of the year during the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday.

Disney’s animation which served both as entertainment for kids as well as an eye-opener for adults on the issue of discrimination continues to make a mark after getting recognized at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, Annies, and many other award-giving bodies.

Now, 2016’s Zootopia bags recognition from the 89th Academy Awards after it was named the Best Animated Feature Film for its gentle presentation of “topical messages involving themes like bigotry, racism and prejudice,” according to ABC News Chicago.

According to the outlet, the animated movie from Disney has become an avenue for awareness of significant socio-political issues, specifically on the matter of inclusion.

Upon accepting the Academy Award, Zootopia directors Rich Moore and Byron Howard expressed their gratitude that their message came through.

“That’s always been the job of fairy tales and fables. To be able to put into a safe package, and an easy to approach package, very large ideas, and topics that might be harder to broach if you just start from square one,” Moore said.

Howard, on the other hand, admitted that Zootopia was a film that provides parents with the proper medium to speak with their children about equality and discrimination.

Zootopia revolves around the story of Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a bunny who goes on a quest to “make the world a better place” by becoming a police officer.

After succeeding in her studies and becoming part of the law enforcement, Judy realizes that her goal might be a bit more difficult to achieve especially since her vision of the world is far from reality.

As she tries her hardest to make a mark even after being assigned as a meter maid, Judy encounters Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a sly fox who makes a living out of conning other people. In a twist of fate, Judy finds herself seeking for Nick’s help in solving the case of missing predators in the city of Zootopia.

According to the Huffington Post, Zootopia’s message of the film focuses on “the dangers of stereotyping and discriminating in a multicultural world” whereas people of different races are represented by animals—the prey and predator.

While the film was released earlier in 2016, it proved to be relevant in the year’s most significant event in the United States: the November Presidential Elections.

The outlet believes that Disney’s animated movie became more relevant because of “the fear-based rise of President Donald Trump’s popularity.” This, says Howard, basically defines “[the film’s] entire third act is about” where the “villain is using fear to stoke division.”

“I don’t think we could have predicted it any closer with this film,” he added.

Relevance aside, Zootopia performed well in the box office since its March 2016 release with $340 million domestic earnings and over $1 billion all-in-all worldwide.

Because of this, fans have been waiting for Zootopia 2 to be released which may be sooner rather than later considering how Howard and Moore confirmed that there is enough material for a sequel, as reported by OPP Trends.

The Inquisitr also previously reported about speculations on Zootopia 2’s upcoming news-based theme which revolves around Judy and Nick becoming a mixed-race couple.

Do you believe Zootopia deserves the Academy Award? Let us know what your think via the comments section below.</s>Zootopia has recently added an Oscar to its list of recognitions as the animated film from Disney bags the Best Animated Feature Film of the year during the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday.

Disney’s animation which served both as entertainment for kids as well as an eye-opener for adults on the issue of discrimination continues to make a mark after getting recognized at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, Annies, and many other award-giving bodies.

Now, 2016’s Zootopia bags recognition from the 89th Academy Awards after it was named the Best Animated Feature Film for its gentle presentation of “topical messages involving themes like bigotry, racism and prejudice,” according to ABC News Chicago.

According to the outlet, the animated movie from Disney has become an avenue for awareness of significant socio-political issues, specifically on the matter of inclusion.

Upon accepting the Academy Award, Zootopia directors Rich Moore and Byron Howard expressed their gratitude that their message came through.

“That’s always been the job of fairy tales and fables. To be able to put into a safe package, and an easy to approach package, very large ideas, and topics that might be harder to broach if you just start from square one,” Moore said.

Howard, on the other hand, admitted that Zootopia was a film that provides parents with the proper medium to speak with their children about equality and discrimination.

Zootopia revolves around the story of Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a bunny who goes on a quest to “make the world a better place” by becoming a police officer.

After succeeding in her studies and becoming part of the law enforcement, Judy realizes that her goal might be a bit more difficult to achieve especially since her vision of the world is far from reality.

As she tries her hardest to make a mark even after being assigned as a meter maid, Judy encounters Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a sly fox who makes a living out of conning other people. In a twist of fate, Judy finds herself seeking for Nick’s help in solving the case of missing predators in the city of Zootopia.

According to the Huffington Post, Zootopia’s message of the film focuses on “the dangers of stereotyping and discriminating in a multicultural world” whereas people of different races are represented by animals—the prey and predator.

While the film was released earlier in 2016, it proved to be relevant in the year’s most significant event in the United States: the November Presidential Elections.

The outlet believes that Disney’s animated movie became more relevant because of “the fear-based rise of President Donald Trump’s popularity.” This, says Howard, basically defines “[the film’s] entire third act is about” where the “villain is using fear to stoke division.”

“I don’t think we could have predicted it any closer with this film,” he added.

Relevance aside, Zootopia performed well in the box office since its March 2016 release with $340 million domestic earnings and over $1 billion all-in-all worldwide.

Because of this, fans have been waiting for Zootopia 2 to be released which may be sooner rather than later considering how Howard and Moore confirmed that there is enough material for a sequel, as reported by OPP Trends.

The Inquisitr also previously reported about speculations on Zootopia 2’s upcoming news-based theme which revolves around Judy and Nick becoming a mixed-race couple.

Do you believe Zootopia deserves the Academy Award? Let us know what your think via the comments section below.</s>Zootopia has recently added an Oscar to its list of recognitions as the animated film from Disney bags the Best Animated Feature Film of the year during the 89th Academy Awards on Sunday.

Disney’s animation which served both as entertainment for kids as well as an eye-opener for adults on the issue of discrimination continues to make a mark after getting recognized at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, Annies, and many other award-giving bodies.

Now, 2016’s Zootopia bags recognition from the 89th Academy Awards after it was named the Best Animated Feature Film for its gentle presentation of “topical messages involving themes like bigotry, racism and prejudice,” according to ABC News Chicago.

According to the outlet, the animated movie from Disney has become an avenue for awareness of significant socio-political issues, specifically on the matter of inclusion.

Upon accepting the Academy Award, Zootopia directors Rich Moore and Byron Howard expressed their gratitude that their message came through.

“That’s always been the job of fairy tales and fables. To be able to put into a safe package, and an easy to approach package, very large ideas, and topics that might be harder to broach if you just start from square one,” Moore said.

Howard, on the other hand, admitted that Zootopia was a film that provides parents with the proper medium to speak with their children about equality and discrimination.

Zootopia revolves around the story of Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a bunny who goes on a quest to “make the world a better place” by becoming a police officer.

After succeeding in her studies and becoming part of the law enforcement, Judy realizes that her goal might be a bit more difficult to achieve especially since her vision of the world is far from reality.

As she tries her hardest to make a mark even after being assigned as a meter maid, Judy encounters Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a sly fox who makes a living out of conning other people. In a twist of fate, Judy finds herself seeking for Nick’s help in solving the case of missing predators in the city of Zootopia.

According to the Huffington Post, Zootopia’s message of the film focuses on “the dangers of stereotyping and discriminating in a multicultural world” whereas people of different races are represented by animals—the prey and predator.

While the film was released earlier in 2016, it proved to be relevant in the year’s most significant event in the United States: the November Presidential Elections.

The outlet believes that Disney’s animated movie became more relevant because of “the fear-based rise of President Donald Trump’s popularity.” This, says Howard, basically defines “[the film’s] entire third act is about” where the “villain is using fear to stoke division.”

“I don’t think we could have predicted it any closer with this film,” he added.

Relevance aside, Zootopia performed well in the box office since its March 2016 release with $340 million domestic earnings and over $1 billion all-in-all worldwide.

Because of this, fans have been waiting for Zootopia 2 to be released which may be sooner rather than later considering how Howard and Moore confirmed that there is enough material for a sequel, as reported by OPP Trends.

The Inquisitr also previously reported about speculations on Zootopia 2’s upcoming news-based theme which revolves around Judy and Nick becoming a mixed-race couple.

Do you believe Zootopia deserves the Academy Award? Let us know what your think via the comments section below.</s>The 89th Academy Awards show was certainly one for the books. When was all said and done, front-runner "La La Land" won in six of its 14 nominated categories, including best actress and best director.

Interested in Oscars? Add Oscars as an interest to stay up to date on the latest Oscars news, video, and analysis from ABC News. Add Interest

In the most shocking moment of the night, "Moonlight" won best picture — after "La La Land" was mistakenly announced as the winner.

"This is not a joke," Jordan Horowitz, a producer of "La La Land" said onstage, correcting the big error. Then the cast and crew of "Moonlight" took the stage and accepted the award.

In addition to its best picture win, the film's star Mahershala Ali took home his first Oscar, for best actor in a supporting role, and its writers, Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney, won for best adapted screenplay.

Viola Davis also took home her first Oscar, for best supporting actress for "Fences," and got an enthusiastic standing ovation.

"I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life," she exclaimed, tearing up as she thanked her parents, sisters, husband and child.

Casey Affleck and Emma Stone chose to pay homage to their fellow nominees. Affleck called Denzel Washington "one of the first people who taught me how to act." Stone said, "It's such an honor to stand beside you" and added, "Ryan Gosling, thank you for making me laugh and being the greatest partner."

Here's the complete winners list:

Best actor in a supporting role

Mahershala Ali — "Moonlight" — WINNER

Jeff Bridges — "Hell or High Water"

Lucas Hedges — "Manchester by the Sea"

Dev Patel — "Lion"

Michael Shannon — "Nocturnal Animals"

"I want to thank my wife, who was in her third trimester during awards season... had our daughter 4 days ago." - Mahershala Ali #Oscars pic.twitter.com/RcLpHWvAvW — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Best makeup and hairstyling

"A Man Called Ove"

"Star Trek Beyond"

"Suicide Squad" — WINNER

Best costume design

"Allied"

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" — WINNER

"Florence Foster Jenkins"

"Jackie"

"La La Land"

Best documentary feature

"Fire at Sea"

"I Am Not Your Negro"

"Life Animated"

"O.J.: Made in America" — WINNER

"13th"

Best sound editing

"Arrival" — WINNER

"Deepwater Horizon"

"Hacksaw Ridge"

"La La Land"

"Sully"

Best sound mixing

"Arrival"

"Hacksaw Ridge" — WINNER

"La La Land"

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"

"13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi"

Best actress in a supporting role

Viola Davis — "Fences" — WINNER

Naomie Harris — "Moonlight"

Nicole Kidman — "Lion"

Octavia Spencer — "Hidden Figures"

Michelle Williams — "Manchester by the Sea"

Best foreign language film

"Land of Mine" (Denmark)

"A Man Called Ove" (Sweden)

"The Salesman" (Iran) — WINNER

"Tanna" (Australia)

"Toni Erdmann" (Germany)

Best animated short film

"Blind Vaysha"

"Borrowed Time"

"Pear Cider and Cigarettes"

"Pearl"

"Piper" — WINNER

Best animated feature film

"Kubo and the Two Strings"

"Moana"

"My Life as a Zucchini"

"The Red Turtle"

"Zootopia" — WINNER

Best production design

"Arrival"

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"

"Hail, Caesar!"

"La La Land" — WINNER

"Passengers"

Best visual effects

"Deepwater Horizon"

"Doctor Strange"

"The Jungle Book" — WINNER

"Kubo and the Two Strings"

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"

Best film editing

"Arrival"

"Hacksaw Ridge" — WINNER

"Hell or High Water"

"La La Land"

"Moonlight"

Best live action short film

"Ennemis Interieurs"

"La Femme et le TGV"

"Silent Nights"

"Sing" — WINNER

"Timecode"

Best documentary short subject

"Extremis"

"4.1 Miles"

"Joe's Violin"

"Watani: My Homeland"

"The White Helmets" — WINNERS

Best cinematography

"Arrival"

"La La Land" — WINNER

"Lion"

"Moonlight"

"Silence"

Best original score

"La La Land" — WINNER

"Lion"

"Jackie"

"Moonlight"

"Passengers"

Best original song

"Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" — "La La Land"

"Can't Stop the Feeling" — "Trolls"

"City of Stars" — "La La Land" — WINNER

"The Empty Chair" — "Jim: The James Foley Story"

"How Far I'll Go" — "Moana"

Best original screenplay

"Hell or High Water"

"La La Land"

"The Lobster"

"Manchester by the Sea" — WINNER

"20th Century Women"

#Oscar for Best Original Screenplay goes to ‘Manchester by the Sea.’ #Oscars pic.twitter.com/gEyfZbFNHm — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Best adapted screenplay

"Arrival"

"Fences"

"Hidden Figures"

"Lion"

"Moonlight" — WINNER

"This goes out to all those...who don't see themselves...this is for you." - Tarell Alvin McCraney for 'Moonlight.' #Oscars pic.twitter.com/11yOftIT4t — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Best directing

Damien Chazelle — "La La Land" — WINNER

Mel Gibson — "Hacksaw Ridge"

Barry Jenkins — "Moonlight"

Kenneth Lonergan — "Manchester by the Sea"

Denis Villeneuve — "Arrival"

Best lead actor

Casey Affleck — "Manchester by the Sea" — WINNER

Andrew Garfield — "Hacksaw Ridge"

Ryan Gosling — "La La Land"

Viggo Mortensen — "Captain Fantastic"

Denzel Washington — "Fences"

#Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role goes to Casey Affleck for ‘Manchester by the Sea.’ #Oscars pic.twitter.com/GrzmvUhNOD — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017

Best lead actress

Isabelle Huppert — "Elle"

Ruth Negga — "Loving"

Natalie Portman — "Jackie"

Emma Stone — "La La Land" — WINNER

Meryl Streep — "Florence Foster Jenkins"

Best picture</s>REUTERS - Animal cartoon "Zootopia," an exploration of bias through the comedic story of a bunny that becomes a police officer, won the Academy Award on Sunday for best animated feature film.

The movie from Walt Disney Co's DIS.N Disney Animation Studios was one of the year's biggest box-office hits, selling more than US$1 billion in tickets worldwide.</s>Animation is the bond that ties together all of this year's Valley-connected Oscar contenders.

Roger Ross Williams of Easton is nominated in the feature film Best Documentary category for the wonderful "Life, Animated." The movie is centered on journalist Ron Suskind and his son Owen, an autistic youngster who couldn't speak until he began memorizing the songs and dialogue from dozens of Disney cartoons.

Williams, who won an Oscar for the short documentary "Music By Prudence" in 2010, not only captures Owen's life-changing love for "The Jungle Book," "Hercules" and "Bambi" but also documents Owen's decision to move out of his parents' home and live on his own.

What really makes "Life, Animated" special is that, as you watch Owen mesmerized by "The Little Mermaid," you realize anew that movies do matter.

"Kubo and the Two Strings" features the artistry of Emmaus native Matthew Beightol, who worked as a compositor. Set in ancient Japan, the cartoon adventure is nominated for Best Animated Film.

A lovely example of the pleasures of stop-motion animation, "Kubo" tells the saga of a young boy (Art Parkinson) who is attempting to locate his father's sword and enchanted armor to battle the dastardly Moon King (Ralph Fiennes).

Kubo is aided on his journey by a grumpy Monkey (Charlize Theron) and a dim-witted Beetle (Matthew McConaughey). Even though the plot is ripped from myth, it feels surprisingly vital thanks to the artistry of the animators.

Beightol says a compositor brings together elements from many different departments.

"One of the most challenging things that I dealt with was the large crowd scenes at the beginning of the film," the animator said in 2016. "There were a few shots where we had computer-generated villagers standing right next to actual puppets and they have to look the same or it will really stand out."

Finally, there's "Moana," another contender in the Best Animated Film category. While Dwayne Johnson, a graduate of Bethlehem's Freedom High School, is not nominated, he's an enormous part of why the movie works so well.

In "Moana," a Polynesian girl (Auli'I Cravalho) sets sail for a fabled island, to fulfill her ancestors' unfinished quest. Along the way, she hooks up with the legendary demi-god Maui (Johnson) and together they cross the ocean, battling all kinds of creatures to return a treasure to an ancient diety.

It's rare for a movie to feature a girl as "the Chosen One" but "Moana" is all the better for pivoting on a female character who is brave and spirited. And the chemistry between Johnson and Cravalho is delightful.

So are any of the Valley-connected movies likely to win on Oscar night? Probably not. In the Best Animated Film category, "Zootopia" seems to be a lock.

The mammoth "O.J.: Made in America" is a front-runner in the documentary category, and it certainly deserves to win. If Academy members are daunted by the nearly five-hour running time, Ava Duvernay's equally essential "13th" is likely to take the top prize.

Both "Life, Animated" and "Kubo" are available on DVD and VOD. "Moana" is also available on VOD and will debut on Blu-ray and DVD in an extras-laden package on March 7.</s>Disney Animation’s “Zootopia” has won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film — the studio’s fifth straight win in the category.

“Zootopia” topped an eclectic field that included Disney’s “Moana,” Studio Ghibli/Sony Pictures Classics’ dialogue-free “The Red Turtle” and a pair for stop-motion titles — Laika/Focus Features ‘ feature film “Kubo and the Two Strings” and Gebeka Films’ orphan tale “My Life as a Zucchini.”

“Zootopia” follows Disney victories for Pixar’s “Inside Out” last year,” Disney Animation’s “Big Hero 6” and Frozen and Pixar’s “Brave” in 2013.

“Zootopia” was a massive box office success, becoming one of only 28 films to top $1 billion in worldwide box office. Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, the comedy-adventure centered on the partnership between a rabbit police officer (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and a con-artist fox (voiced by Jason Bateman) to uncover a conspiracy in a mammal metropolis.

“Zootopia” had dominated during the awards season with victories at the Golden Globes, the Producers Guild of America and the Annies. “Kubo and the Two Strings” topped “Zootopia for the best animated feature trophy at the BAFTA Awards.

Pixar was shut out of nominations this year after dominating the animation category since 2004, when “Finding Nemo” won the Emeryville-based company’s first Oscar. Other winners include “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Wall-E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3,” “Brave” and last year’s winner “Inside Out.”

However, Pixar’s “Piper,” which played before “Finding Dory,” did receive a nomination in the short animated category this year.</s>Disney animation continues its streak of Oscar domination: Zootopia, co-directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, scooped up Best Animated Film from the Academy on Sunday. Producer Clark Spencer shared in the win.

“We are so grateful to the audiences all over the world who embraced this story of tolerance being more powerful than the fear of the other,” said Moore from the stage.

The inclusive sentiment echoed that of presenter Gael García Bernal, who delivered what appeared to be a comment on President Donald Trump’s proposed wall on the Mexican boarder.

“Flesh and blood actors are migrant workers,” Bernal said. “We travel all over the world. We construct families, we build life but we cannot be divided. As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being I’m against any form of wall that wants to separate us.”

Last year, Disney’s Pixar won Best Animated Feature Film for Inside Out. Before that, it was Walt Disney Animation’s Big Hero 6 in 2015, Frozen in 2014 and Pixar’s Brave in 2013. This year, Disney had two nominees in the category — Zootopia and Moana — alongside fellow contenders Kubo and the Two Strings, The Red Turtle and My Life as a Zucchini.

Zootopia, which also won Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globes, told of a cop rabbit and a sly fox uncovering a conspiracy within a society of anthropomorphic animals. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman led an immense voice cast that included Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, Shakira and Jenny Slate.

The 89th Annual Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, are airing live from Los Angeles on ABC.</s>“We are so grateful to the audiences all over the world that embraced this film with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other,”said Zootopia co-director Rich Moore onstage tonight to big applause as the Disney pic snagged the Best Animated Feature at tonight’s Academy Awards. The remark by the filmmaker, who was joined by fellow director Bryan Howard and producer Clark Spencer was a clear but unnamed dig at the policies of Donald Trump on a night that has seen the President take a number of expected blows from Hollywood and host Jimmy Kimmel so far.

Politics aside, the Howard and Moore directed film was certainly seen as the favored contender going into tonight’s Oscars with big wins at the Annie Awards earlier this month. The multiple awards for the fourth highest grossing film of 2016 from its animated industry peers followed wins at the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Animated Feature last month.

Having said that, Zootopia wasn’t the only Disney film nominated in the category this year with the House of Mouse’s Moana competing for the ‘toon prize too. Also nominated this year were My Life as a Zucchini, The Red Turtle and Kubo and the Two Strings, with the latter also up for Best Visual Effects. Disney’s big hit sequel Finding Dory, which the President screened at the White House recently, was not in the running.

Released on March 4 last year after premiering at the Brussels Animation Film Festival the month before, the Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba and Jenny Slate voiced film about team-up between a law enforcement rabbit and a con man fox has snared more than $1 billion at the global box office. The win for Zootopia marks the fifth Oscars in a row that a Disney film or Disney-owned entity has won the Best Animated Feature. In 2012, Brave took the now 15-year old award, followed by Frozen in 2013, a surprise win for Big Hero 6 in 2014 and Inside Out last year.

Nominated for 11 Annie Awards, Zootopia took home half a dozen at the February 4 show at UCLA’s Royce Hall.</s>Zootopia has won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 89th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night. The Disney film, a buddy comedy between a rabbit police officer and a fox con artist set in a city full of anthropomorphic animals, was the frontrunner at Hollywood's biggest night, having won the Golden Globe, Annie, and Critics' Choice awards previously.

"Thank you Academy, this is an incredible honour. About five years ago, almost six now, we got this crazy idea about humanity with talking animals, in the hopes that when the film came out, it would make the world just a slightly better place," Byron Howard, co-director on Zootopia, said in his acceptance speech.

"And we are so grateful to the audiences over the world who embraced this film, with this story of tolerance being more powerful than fear of the other," co-director Rich Moore added.

Zootopia was one of our favourite movies from last year, not just for its heartfelt storytelling, but more so for how it tackled a variety of topical themes - gender stereotyping, xenophobia, and racial diversiry - in a kids' friendly package.

The critical acclaim it garnered has helped the movie to its multiple award wins, but Zootopia was also the most commercially successful Oscar nominee with its $1-billion-plus at the worldwide box office, beating out Moana, Kubo and the Two Strings, My Life as a Zucchini, and The Red Turtle.

Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, and co-directed by Jared Bush, the Disney animated adventure featured an extensive voice cast of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Tommy Chong, J. K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk, and Shakira.

The Oscars are still on-going in Los Angeles, with some of the biggest awards - Best Picture, and Best Actor/ Actress among others - yet to be given out. Mahershala Ali won the first Oscar of the night - Best Supporting Actor - for his work on Moonlight. Suicide Squad took home Best Makeup and Hairstyling, while Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them won Best Costume Design.
Zootopia wins the Best Animated Feature.