Apple honoured with historic first Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature for “Wolfwalkers” and Best Sound for “Greyhound”

Cupertino, California — Apple today was honoured with historic first Academy Award nominations for its feature films since the Apple TV+ global launch of Apple Original Films just over a year ago. The widely acclaimed “Wolfwalkers” was nominated for Best Animated Feature and the epic war film “Greyhound,” starring and written by Tom Hanks, for Best Sound. Including today’s nominations, Apple has been honoured with a total of 81 awards wins and 329 nominations to date. 

“Nothing is more exciting than seeing these unique and meaningful films resonating with both critics and audiences globally,” said Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “We are incredibly proud of what we’re building at Apple, and to have these films celebrated in this way — and in such a short space of time — we’re humbled and thankful for the artists and filmmakers who have partnered with us.”

“We’re grateful for the Academy’s recognition of ‘Wolfwalkers’ and ’Greyhound,’” said Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “We want to congratulate the filmmakers and the cast and crew who brought these brilliant stories to the screen, and to everyone who has championed these films around the world. We are excited to continue sharing exceptional storytelling from the most creative visionaries in the year ahead and beyond.”

Apple’s “Wolfwalkers” is the latest from two-time Academy Award-nominated director Tomm Moore and director Ross Stewart, and co-produced by the award-winning animation studios Cartoon Saloon and Melusine Productions. “Wolfwalkers” has won an AFI FEST prize and has been named best animated film across multiple critics groups, including by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle, Dublin Critics Circle, Chicago Film Critics Association, San Diego Film Critics Society, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and more. A BAFTA- and Golden Globe Award-nominated film, “Wolfwalkers” is also up for 10 Annie Awards and was nominated by the Producers Guild of America in the category of Best Animated Feature.

This week, “Wolfwalkers” will be returning to cinemas starting with a New York theatrical run at the Angelika Film Center beginning Friday, March 19. Additional theatres in major North American markets will be added throughout March and April. 

In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumoured to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the “Wolfwalkers” and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy. “Wolfwalkers” is produced by Paul Young, Nora Twomey, Tomm Moore, and Stéphan Roelants. GKIDS serves as the theatrical distribution partner in North America. WildCard serves as the theatrical distributor for the film in the UK.

In the epic war film “Greyhound,” Tom Hanks stars as a longtime Navy veteran who, as a first-time captain, is tasked with protecting a convoy of 37 ships carrying thousands of soldiers and much-needed supplies across the treacherous waters of the Atlantic during World War II. For five days with no air cover, the captain and his small force of three escort ships must make their way through an area of the ocean known as “the Black Pit,” battling Nazi U-boats while protecting their invaluable ships and soldiers. “Greyhound” is inspired by events during the Battle of the Atlantic, which took place in the earliest months of America’s alliance with Great Britain and the Allied Forces. Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan, and Elisabeth Shue star alongside Hanks. The film was written by Tom Hanks, directed by Aaron Schneider, and produced by Gary Goetzman.

The Oscar nomination for “Greyhound” follows recognition from BAFTA, where the film is nominated for Special Visual Effects and Sound; the Visual Effects Society and Motion Picture Sound Editors, where it is nominated in two awards categories each; and the Cinema Audio Society, which nominated it for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing. The film has also received nominations from the People’s Choice Awards, Critics Choice Super Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and multiple critics groups.

Apple TV+ is home to award-winning Apple Originals from today’s most imaginative storytellers. Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favourite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. Apple Originals have been honoured with Golden Globe Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Critics Choice Documentary Awards, Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards, an NAACP Image Award, a Peabody Award, and more.

Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac, select Samsung, LG, Sony, and VIZIO smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for £4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, or iPod touch can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free. This special offer is good for three months after the first activation of the eligible device.