Director: Madeline Sharafian
The first of two Pixar films on the shortlist is a guided tour of all the things that live underground, courtesy of a rabbit who is looking for his own home. To the strains of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” the bewildered and intimidated bunny encounters bugs, badgers and a whole menagerie of burrowing rodents — and since it’s Pixar, it’s impeccably made and thoroughly charming.
Will it feel substantial enough to voters? Perhaps not, but it’s hard to argue with Pixar’s track record in the category, or with the appeal of good old-fashioned craftsmanship to many voters. Plus, it has a message of tolerance, which may feel needed after the last few years.