Belle (a.k.a. Belle: The Dragon and the Freckled Princess)

Director: Mamoru Hosoda

Released by: GKIDS

Production Studio: Studio Chizu

Voice Cast: Kaho Nakamura, Takeru Satoh, Kōji Yakusho

Synopsis: A teenager divides her time between the real world and a virtual world called “U” in which she is a pop music icon.

Release Date: July 15 (Cannes), July 16 (Japan), October 23 (L.A.)

Director Talk: “My daughter is five years old. I thought a lot about her future while making this film … I imagined what it would be like when my daughter and her generation, who were born with the internet, are grown up.” — Mamoru Hosoda

The Word: “Though constructed around teenage neurosis, which can get pretty grim at times, Belle is an immersive experience for anyone willing to give anime a try.” — Deborah Young, The Hollywood Reporter Nomination Chances: Possible, given Hosada’s name recognition among Academy voters and his previous work (Mirai, Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt through Time). The social media plotline may be a bit convoluted, but the animation is simply stunning. Also, GKIDS has an amazing track record when it comes to the Oscar and Annie races.