On Monday (Dec. 9), the nominees were announced for the 82nd annual Golden Globes, recognizing excellence in film and television across 27 categories. Two CalArtian-directed films earned nods this year for Best Motion Picture – Animated: Universal Pictures’ The Wild Robot and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures’ Moana 2.
Helmed by writer-director Chris Sanders (Film/Video BFA 84), The Wild Robot is an adaptation of the bestselling book by Peter Brown. The film follows ROZZUM unit 7134, or “Roz,” a robot who becomes stranded on an island, and her journey navigating the harsh wilderness—all the while forming unexpected bonds with the local fauna.
Sanders’ fellow CalArtians played key roles in bringing the film to the silver screen, including head of story Heidi Jo Gilbert (Film/Video BFA 07); story artists Benjamin Balistreri (Film/Video MFA 97) and Steven Macleod (BFA 07); character designer Heidi Smith (Film/Video BFA 08); animation supervisor Drew Adams (Film/Video BFA 98); and animator Ed Bell (Film/Video BFA 98).
The film is also nominated in the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song categories. Watch the trailer above.
Also in the running for Best Animated Picture is Moana 2, directed by David Derrick Jr. (Film/Video 04), Jason Hand (Film/Video BFA 02), and Dana Ledoux Miller. Set three years after the events of the first film, the titular character and demigod Maui set sail for a new wayfinding adventure after an unexpected call from Moana’s ancestors. The sequel became an instant box office darling over Thanksgiving weekend, breaking the record for highest-grossing five-day opening with $221 million domestically, per CNN.
Watch the trailer below.
Find the full list of 2025 nominees at the Golden Globes website.
The 82nd annual Golden Globes will broadcast live on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at 5 pm PT on CBS. The ceremony will also be available to view on Paramount+.
