Overview
- The Academy nominated Elio for Best Animated Feature, marking a second Oscar nod for Madeline Sharafian, a third for Domee Shi—who previously won for Bao—and first-time nominations for Adrian Molina and producer Mary Alice Drumm.
- Pixar released a behind-the-scenes video, and the directors noted a compiled PDF that catalogs every Easter egg hidden in the film.
- The filmmakers cite inspirations including E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Goonies, Return to Oz, and Labyrinth to balance tension, thrills, and absurdist humor.
- Casting was intentionally ironic, with Zoe Saldaña voicing a human character despite her prominent alien roles in Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek.
- Elio amassed ten Annie nominations and Golden Globe recognition without wins as K Pop Demon Hunters dominated those shows; the Oscars air March 15 on ABC and Hulu, hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre.