The 2018 Academy Awards are drawing near. As Oscar nominees prepare their winning speeches and their humble losing faces, an organization has shifted its focus to animal welfare. PETA’s Animals in Film and Television Division has formed its own awards — the PETA Oscats — to celebrate the Oscars while showing appreciation for the “best animal-friendly films and actors” of 2017.
This year’s event is already set to see a slight shift toward compassion; the 2018 nominees will receive gift bags featuring vegan products. Notably, the recent British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) featured the ceremony’s first-ever vegan appetizer which was served to all of the guests.
But without further ado…
The winners of the first annual PETA Oscats are…
Best Computer-Generated Imagery
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”
This film used completely digital methods to set even the most chaotic, animal-heavy scenes. According to PETA, the film even bettered the original with their “effervescent elephants and hulking hippos”.
Best Original Screenplay
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
PETA points out that the writers of the film “wove in messages of compassion for animals”. From the horse-like ‘fathiers’ being set free after being used for racing, and Chewbacca’s arguably vegan epiphany.
Best Animated Film
“Ferdinand”
The creators of Ice Age and Rio put together this heart-warming animation about a “giant bull with a big heart”. The narrative explores misunderstood animals and their rights to freedom.
Specifically, Ferdinand addresses bullfighting. A practise that, increasingly, is becoming a thing of the past; a city in Venezuela recently banned the outdated practise.
Best Live-Action Film
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
This epic film deserved two awards, in PETA’s eyes. The title of Best Live-Action Film was given due to the story’s positive animal welfare messages, showing that “true heroes help animals” and the movie’s use of CGI creatures. Additionally, actress Daisy Ridley is a vegan.
Best Director
Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water”
The “pro-veg and anti-bullfighting” director strikes again with an animated film that “encourages equal consideration and kindness for others”.
Best Actress
Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
According to PETA, during a moment of contemplation, a grieving mother “thoughtfully puts a bug who’d fallen onto his back gently on his feet”. Subtle? Very. Though, perhaps symbolic in a much larger picture.
Best Actor
Tied: Andy Serkis in “War for the Planet of the Apes”
Serkis’ performance as chimpanzee Caesar meant that no real great apes were used in the film for entertainment. PETA also highlighted that the actor advocated for the animal welfare of primates.
Doug Jones in “The Shape of Water”
Doug Jones received a mention due to his portrayal of Amphibian Man, who emphasized the “sadness and desperation of being abused and chained – the harsh reality for animals in laboratories”.
Best Documentary
“What the Health”
This film may have been one of the most iconic documentaries of 2017. As well as securing a nomination for a prestigious film award, What the Health has been rapidly turning musicians, athletes, superstars, celebrities and meat-lovers vegan.
Pigs’ Choice Award
“Okja”
This Netflix original is “changing the world one heart at a time”. The film even made the New York Times’ top ten list of best movies of 2017. Notably, the film’s director Bong Joon-Ho was inspired to go vegan “after one visit to a slaughterhouse”.
Best Costume
Ryan Gosling’s shearling-free coat in “Blade Runner 2049”
Hollywood’s Ryan Gosling was spotted in a faux-sheepskin jacket for his depiction of Officer K in the sci-fi blockbuster. The item of clothing was completely vegan. Some have rumoured that Gosling, who is noted as a “die-hard animal lover”, may secretly be an animal rights activist.
Rising Star
Ahn Seo-hyun in “Okja”
Seo-hyun’s passionate efforts to save “super-pig” has reportedly been turning viewers vegan after watching the film. Even Richard Branson wrote about the movie, naming it a “chilling statement against factory farming”.
