KUALA LUMPUR: Popular local animated duo Upin & Ipin has a chance at Oscar glory.
The beloved twins’ blockbuster 2019 film, “Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal”, has been included in the longlist for nominees for Best Animated Film at the 2020 Academy Awards.
The film is one of 32 animated motion picture features from around the world now being considered as one of five nominees in the category, which will be announced in January, Bernama reported.
The 91st Academy Awards will be held on Feb 24, 2020.
News of Upin & Ipin’s inclusion in the Oscars longlist was announced by local production company Les’ Copaque Production via its official Instagram and Twitter accounts.
“’Keris Siamang Tunggal’ is listed together with 32 international animation films for 2020 Oscar nomination.
“Thank you, Malaysians for the extraordinary support for the movie,” they wrote.
Other animated films in the longlist include “The Angry Birds Movie 2”, “Toy Story 4”, “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Frozen 2”.
“Keris Siamang Tunggal” debuted on March 21 and raked in RM25 million at the local box office after just three weeks, with over two million people in Malaysia flocking to see it. The crowd-pleaser also graced big screens in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan and India.
The film – produced for RM20 million – features Malaysia’s favourite twins interacting with characters from traditional Malay folktales, such as Mat Jenin, Raja Bersiong, Nakhoda Ragam and Si Tanggang.
“Keris Siamang Tunggal” was awarded the Best Film Story at the 2019 International Animation Film Festival (Animaze) in Montreal, Canada.