'Klaus' Unwraps The BAFTA For Best Animated Film

This year's awards season (animation wise) has been anything but predictable. Past experience had led many to believe that Frozen 2 would sweep away all competition and continue Disney's domination. However, despite scoring plenty of nominations, the film has (so far) only won a handful, and surprised by not even getting a nomination at the Oscars. Missing Link pulled off an upset at the Golden Globes.

But the film that currently seems to have the most momentum is Sergio Pablos's Klaus. The 2D animated film was the biggest winner at last month's Annie Awards, marking it out as the favourite of the animation industry itself. But will that translate into recognition by the wider film industry?

It seems that's a "yes" as Spa Studios and Netflix's film has added another win to its growing collection with a victory for Best Animated Film at the BAFTA Film Awards. The British Academy doesn't always make the same decisions as its Hollywood equivalent and has rewarded films such as The LEGO Movie and Kubo And The Two Strings in the past. So what this means for next week's Oscars is anybody's guess.

Klaus beat out strong competition from Frozen 2, Toy Story 4 and Shaun The Sheep Farmageddon. 

In the British Animated Short category, Maryam Mohajer's Grandad Was A Romantic took home the prize. The other nominees were Kathrin Steinbacher's In Her Boots and Naaman Azhari and Lilia Laurel's The Magic Boat.

The Visual Effects award went to Sam Mendes's World War I drama (and Best Film, Outstanding British Film and Best Director winner)  1917, beating out flashier competition Avengers Endgame, Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, The Irishman and The Lion King.

Full winners list here.