• Swindon & Wiltshire Media
• Friday January 24 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Oscar nomination for record-breaking Wallace and Gromit movie

Bristol-based animation company Aardman Studios has been nominated for an Oscar for the latest movie in the Wallace and Gromit series.

Vengeance Most Fowl was announced as one of five nominees in the Best Animated Film category yesterday (Thursday).

It is pitted against Disney/Pixar hit Inside Out 2.

Vengeance Most Fowl was released in cinemas before being shown on BBC One on Christmas Day and then released worldwide via Netflix.

In the race for the biggest Christmas TV ratings, the BBC transmission of Vengeance Most Fowl came second behind another BBC production: Gavin and Stacey: The Finale.

But figures released by the BBC yesterday (Thursday) show the Bristol-made animated caper has overtaken its South Wales rival with 21.6 million views, thanks to sustained popularity throughout January on the BBC iPlayer.

This makes it the best-watched UK animation since modern records began in 2002.

Aardman – which has been based in Bristol for more than 40 years – has previously won four Oscars from seven nominations.

Its trophy cabinet includes statuettes for The Wrong Trousers (1993) and A Close Shave (1995).

This year’s ceremony will take place on March 2 in Hollywood.

Latest: Bristol’s Aardman wins two Baftas, sets sights on Oscars