Korean Animated Short 'Magic Candies' Nominated for 97th Academy Awards

The animated short film 'Magic Candies' (알사탕), based on the bestselling children's book by acclaimed author Baek Heena, has been nominated for the Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. The ceremony will take place on March 3, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Produced by Japan's Toei Animation, the film draws inspiration from Baek's picture books 'Magic Candies' and 'I Am a Dog'. The story follows a lonely child named Dongdong, who receives magical, colorful candies from a stationery store owner, leading to enchanting experiences where he hears the 'inner voices' of those around him, including his nagging father and his late grandmother.

The film is directed by Daisuke Nishio and produced by Takashi Washio, both known for their work on the popular 'Precure' series. Following the announcement of the nomination, Washio expressed that this recognition reflects the team's dedication to capturing the essence of the original book in animated form, while Nishio noted the emotional impact the story has had on audiences worldwide.

Baek Heena, who has received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), often creates unique characters through handcrafted methods and cinematic techniques. She shared her initial concerns about collaborating with a foreign production team, fearing that the Korean cultural context might be lost. However, she praised Toei Animation for their commitment to authentically representing Korean sentiments by exploring various neighborhoods in Seoul.

'Magic Candies' has already garnered accolades, winning the Jury Award and Audience Award at the 25th New York International Children's Film Festival and receiving official invitations to prestigious events like the 50th Seattle International Film Festival and the 57th Sitges Film Festival.