Oscars 2024: NZ’s Wētā FX recognised as War is Over! wins Best Animated Short
The 96th Academy Awards ceremony is underway at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles - and New Zealand’s own Wētā FX has been recognised for its work on one award-winning film.
The award for Best Animated Short film was handed out earlier today by Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy, with Pachyderm and Ninety-Five Senses among the nominations.
But you might have heard a familiar name as the creators of War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko accepted the win.
That name was Peter Jackson — and it turns out that the award-winning Kiwi director had a hand in the film, as its visual effects and animation were created by Aotearoa-based Wētā FX.
A Wētā FX spokesperson confirmed to the NZ Herald last week that the New Zealand visual effects company was not named on the actual nomination ticket but noted that their work was being recognised.
Wētā FX Executive VFX Producer David Conley said, “We are incredibly proud to have played a pivotal role in this meaningful and visually stunning short film.
“For it to be recognised with an Academy Award speaks volumes to the filmmakers’ creative vision and leadership, and we could not be prouder to have worked alongside them to bring it to life.”
Wētā FX were nominated for the Best Visual Effects Oscar this year for their work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
The win marked the first Oscar for filmmakers Brad Booker and Dave Mullins, who were joined on stage by executive producer Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. He took the opportunity to wish his mother a happy Mother’s Day, as the UK celebrates today.
The film is set to the the soundtrack of Lennon and Ono’s classic Christmas song Happy Xmas (War is Over), and follows two World War I soldiers playing a game of chess via carrier pigeon, though they’re fighting on opposite sides.
Despite the industry seeing the historic WGA and Sag-Aftra strikes last year, Hollywood is coming back together again at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate their best, their brightest and some names who just might be the next big thing.
Oppenheimer, Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon lead the nominations, and Kiwi movie fans hoping to watch the awards unfold live can tune in through Disney+ , or follow along here for the Herald’s coverage.
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And that concludes the 96th Academy Awards.
Oppenheimer was the big award winner of the night and of course, took home the gong for Best Picture.
But I think we can all agree that the real winner was Ryan Gosling for that epic performance of I'm Just Ken.
See you in our dreams Ryan and thank you for following along with our live blog.
See you next year!
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And the Oscar for Best Picture goes to...
OPPENHEIMER!
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The nominees for Best picture are:
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
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This is her second win, having won in 2017 for La La Land.
Emma turned around to reveal her dress had broken at the back "I think it happened during I'm Just Ken," the actress laughed.
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And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to...
Emma Stone, Poor Things.
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The nominees for Best Actress are:
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things
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Two awards to go - Best Actress and Best Picture.
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Steven Spielberg has taken the Stage to Present the Oscar for Best Director.
And the Oscar goes to...
Christopher Nolon for Oppenheimer!
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It's the Irish actor's first win and nomination.
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And the Oscar for Best Actor goes to...
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer!
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The nominees for Best Actor are:
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
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The in Memorium is playing as Time to Say Goodbye is performed by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli.
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The Academy is now paying tribute to all the great actors and industry members who passed away over the last year.
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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo also present Best Original Song. And the Oscar goes to...
Billie Eilish and Finneas for What Was I Made For from the movie Barbie.
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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo take the stage to present Best Original Score. And the Oscar goes to...
Oppenheimer!
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Our heart rates may never recover after that performance and social media agrees with posts flooding in after the performance by Ryan Gosling.
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Gosling has given us easily the best moment of the Oscars - complete with a guitar solo from Slash himself. A standing ovation for everyone.
He's forever our Ken!
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Ryan Gosling emerged from behind Margot Robbie in the audience wearing a pink suit and hat and walked through the audience to join Mark Ronson on stage. The pair went on to perform the Oscar-nominated hit song from Barbie, I'm Just Ken.
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John Mulaney Presents the Oscar for Achievement in Sound. And the Oscar goes to...
The Zone of Interest.
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The Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film goes to...
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.
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The Oscar for Best Cinematography goes to...
Oppenheimer.
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The Oscar for Best Documentary Feature goes to...
20 Days in Mariupol.
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The Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film goes to...
The Last Repair Shop.
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Messi gets our vote tbh
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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are also presenting the Oscar for Best Film Editing. And the Oscar goes to...
Oppenheimer.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are presenting the Oscar for Achievement in Visual Effects. And the Oscar goes to...
Godzilla.
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Want to see the hottest Oscars looks and arrivals?
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"I'd like to thank my terrible childhood, and the academy, in that order," says Downey Jr. while accepting his first ever Oscar.
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To present the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role we have 5 past winners on stage - continuing the format where each nominee is given a nod to their work, by someone who has won in that category.
And the Oscar goes to...
Robert Downey Jr.!!!!
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Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling are on stage paying tribute to the stunt performers of the industry.
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Bad Bunny are presenting Best International Feature Film. And the Oscar goes to....
The Zone of Interest.
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Cena's nudity was a skit in reference to the 1974 Oscars when the stage saw it's very first and last streaker Robert Opal, an LGBT activist and teacher managed to enter the annual ceremony after posing as a journalist.
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John Cena is presenting the award for Best Costume Design - AND HE IS NAKED!
But the Oscar goes to... Poor Things.
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Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara are back to present the Oscar for Best Production Design. And the Oscar goes to...
Poor Things.
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Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara present the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. And the Oscar goes to...
Poor Things.
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Now performing the Oscar-nominated song What Was I Made For, from the movie Barbie, are Billie Eilish and Finneas.
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Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer are now back to present Best Adapted Screenplay. And the Oscar goes to...
American Fiction.
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Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer present Best Original Screenplay. And the Oscar goes to...
Anatomy of a Fall.
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Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy are also presenting the award for Best Animated Feature. And the Oscar goes to...
The Boy and the Heron.
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New Zealand film-maker Peter Jackson collaborated with the team behind the now Oscar-winning film
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Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy are presenting the award for Best Animated Short. And the Oscar goes to...
War is Over.
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Jimmy Kimmel is back on stage, and honestly, the vibe is just kind of off tonight? This audience seems unsure of what to expect from the host.
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Da’Vine Joy Randolph is overwhelmed with emotion as she accepts the award with tears running down her face.
"I thank you for seeing me," she concludes her speech.
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And the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress goes to...
Da’Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers!
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It's certainly a longer format, but seems fitting for such a huge accolade. So far we are loving it and the emotions are real in the crowd.
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The first award tonight is Best Supporting Actress and this year we see an old format back, where 5 past winners of the award present in each category and shout-out each nominee.
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So many of Kimmel's jokes appear to be falling flat with his celeb audience. Awkward.
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Jimmy Kimmel has begun his opening monologue - alluding to Robert Downey Jr's past addiction issues (which totally missed the mark) and taking aim at the Margot Robbie snub.
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The carpet has officially concluded - saving the best for last - and the awards are about to start. Grab your popcorn!
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Margot has arrived, and guys.... she has put Barbie to bed. RIP Barbie chic.
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No sign of Margot Robbie yet. We are hoping for one last epic Barbie look from our queen.
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The celebs have started to take their seats as we get ready for the official awards to begin and the red carpet winds down.
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Some big names have been spotted inside, but seem to have skipped the carpet. Is there a secret side door we don't know about?
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Ryan Gosling, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ken in Barbie, has arrived in a black suit with shimmery trim/statement trim.
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Messi, the border collie who stole our hearts as Snoop in Anatomy of a Fall - nominated for Best Picture - has been spotted in the Oscars audience.
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Many artists have been spotted donning a red pin on their outfits, depicting a raised hand with a black heart sitting in the middle. What does it mean? The image is the official symbol for the Artists for Ceasefire initiative and expresses support for a humanitarian solution in Gaza. The initiative was started through an open letter, signed by industry members and creatives, which asked the US President and Congress to take steps to de-escalate the conflict between Gaza and Israel and support an immediate ceasefire in the region.
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The Rock has arrived and chosen a very unforgiving fabric for his Oscars ensemble.
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The red carpet has been an eventful affair with Vanessa Hudgens debuting her baby bump months after marrying baseball player Cole Tucker. Elsewhere, actress Liza Koshy was caught falling over on the carpet and after having a chuckle, got back up and continued her carpet appearance.
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski arrived at the Academy Awards, putting on a united front with their red-carpet appearance after divorce rumours began swirling in January.
Seen at the Golden Globes earlier this year, fans speculated Krasinski told Blunt, “I can’t wait to divorce”, however, a source told US Weekly shortly afterwards: “There are no issues with Emily and John. They are absolutely not talking about divorce.”