Sheridan Students Celebrate Oscar Nominations for KPop Demon Hunters and Elio

Students at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, are celebrating the Oscar nominations for two films created by their fellow graduates. Both KPop Demon Hunters and Elio have been nominated for best animated feature film at the 98th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. In addition, KPop Demon Hunters received a nomination for best original song for its track “Golden.”

The success of directors Maggie Kang and Domee Shi resonates deeply with current animation students. Fourth-year student Phoebe Yeonsu Lee, who shares a cultural background with Kang, expressed her excitement. “I grew up with K-pop during my teenage years, and it’s really just exciting and a surprise to me because I did not expect my culture could be a big thing,” Lee said. “For me, [Kang] is really amazing and she’s somebody that I could be like.”

Kang’s achievements reflect Sheridan’s long-standing tradition of producing talented filmmakers. According to Mario Positano, program coordinator of the college’s animation school, “The program is quite old; it’s just over 60 years old.” He added that the college consistently encounters alumni who are making significant contributions to the industry.

Over the years, Sheridan graduates have been behind numerous award-winning projects. Chris Williams won an Oscar for best animated feature for Big Hero 6 in 2015, while Shi won for best animated short for Bao in 2019. Shi was also nominated for her feature film Turning Red in 2023, which drew inspiration from her experiences as a Chinese Canadian in Toronto.

Many Sheridan alumni find employment at animation studios across Canada, particularly in cities such as Vancouver and Toronto. Others venture to the United States, joining major studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Sony Pictures Animation. Kang, who graduated in 2004, was recruited by DreamWorks Animation during her final year.

The success of filmmakers like Kang and Shi serves as a source of motivation for current students. Positano emphasized the importance of providing students with opportunities to explore both technology and the art of animation. “Any one of them can do huge things,” he stated.

The narrative of KPop Demon Hunters has struck a chord with students across the globe. Molly McCutcheon, an Australian student in Sheridan’s animation program, highlighted the film’s themes and strong female characters as particularly inspiring. The film portrays a K-pop girl group who double as demon hunters, determined to protect their fans from supernatural threats. McCutcheon remarked, “It does make you kind of delusional, like it can be me one day.”

The Academy Awards offer a significant platform for recognition, and the nominations for both KPop Demon Hunters and Elio underscore the talent emerging from Sheridan College. Students are hopeful that these achievements will pave the way for their own future successes in the film industry.