Ahead of its European premiere at the London Film Festival next weekend, the Irish animated feature Song of the Sea from Kilkenny's Cartoon Saloon has been tipped by US website Indiewire as a contender for the Oscars shortlist.
In its Oscar predictions, Indiewire says Song of the Sea, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Mr Peabody & Sherman and The Boxtrolls have "very good shots" at making the shortlist.
Directed by Cartoon Saloon's Tomm Moore, and based around the legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea follows the adventures of Saoirse and her brother Ben.
It features the voices of Lucy O'Connell, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, Jon Kenny, Pat Shortt, Liam Hourican and Colm Ó Snodaigh.
Moore also directed Cartoon Saloon's Oscar-nominated The Secret of Kells.
Song of the Sea will be released in France in November and North America in December, with an Irish release planned for February or March 2015.
Indiewire has The LEGO Movie as "the current frontrunner" for the Oscars, with Big Hero 6 and The Book of Life "the two that could sweep in".
The Tale of Princess Kaguya, The Penguins of Madagascar and Rio 2 are listed as "dark horses".
