Students enrolled in Sheridan College’s animation program in Oakville, Ontario, are thrilled to see two films created by alumni receiving Oscar nominations. The films, “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Elio,” directed by Maggie Kang and Domee Shi from Toronto, have been recognized for Best Animated Feature Film at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. Additionally, “KPop Demon Hunters” earned a nomination for Best Original Song with “Golden.”
Phoebe Yeonsu Lee, a fourth-year animation student at Sheridan, expressed her admiration for Kang’s achievement, particularly as a woman of Korean descent. Lee shared her excitement, stating that growing up with K-pop has made Kang’s success even more impactful and inspiring for her and fellow Korean-Canadians. She sees Kang as a role model and hopes to follow in her footsteps.
Mario Positano, the program coordinator at Sheridan’s school of animation, highlighted the college’s longstanding tradition of producing award-winning filmmakers. He emphasized the success of Sheridan alumni in the industry, noting directors like Chris Williams and Domee Shi, who have previously won Oscars for their work. Positano mentioned that many graduates pursue careers in animation studios across Canada and the United States, including prominent studios like Pixar and DreamWorks.
Witnessing filmmakers like Shi and Kang achieve recognition at prestigious events such as the Oscars and Golden Globes serves as a source of motivation for current students. Positano emphasized the importance of providing students with the freedom to explore their creativity while staying abreast of technological advancements in the field. He expressed confidence in the potential of Sheridan’s students to achieve significant success in the animation industry.
Another student, Molly McCutcheon, who relocated from Australia to attend Sheridan College’s animation program, shared how the storyline and strong female characters in “KPop Demon Hunters” resonated with her. McCutcheon highlighted the impact of seeing graduates like Kang and Shi succeed, inspiring her to pursue her filmmaking aspirations.
The Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15 in Los Angeles, where the winners will be announced. The achievements of Sheridan alumni continue to inspire current students to strive for excellence in their animation careers.