In yet another year with many critically acclaimed animated features for the Academy to choose from, the non-dialog graphic novel adaptation Robot Dreams was a surprise entry — although a most welcome one — on the list of five nominees for the 96th Oscars.
The movie, which will be released by Neon in U.S. theaters later this year, is directed by Spanish auteur Pablo Berger, who was kind enough to share his experience and reaction to the honor, as well as a clip of the team learning the exciting news as it was announced!
Animation Magazine: Where were you when you heard the news?
Pablo Berger: My producers and I were watching the announcement in a hotel lobby in Barcelona. When we heard “… Robot Dreams,” we jumped out of the sofa and screamed and screamed until the hotel staff came running to warn us about the noise. We told them: “We are nominated for the Oscars!” and they also started screaming with us. Then the hotel manager came out with a bottle of champagne and all of us celebrated the nomination together.
What does it all mean to you?
The Oscars are the biggest film influencer in the world, so this nomination means that cinema lovers from all over the world are going to discover Robot Dreams. And this is not Robot’s dream, but mine, and all the people who worked on the film.
Read all about the making of the celebrated European import in Animation Magazine‘s feature story on Robot Dreams here.
