The Irish animation 'Wolfwalkers' has won Best Animated Feature at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. LAFCA is one of the most important critics groups of awards season.
'Wolfwalkers' is directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart and is the latest from Cartoon Saloon. The studio previously produced 'Song of the Sea', 'The Secret of Kells' and 'The Breadwinner'.
The feature beat Disney Pixar movie 'Soul' for the top prize. This makes the Irish movie's prospects at the Oscars all the more hopeful.
Other LAFCA winners included 'Small Axe' for Best Picture and Chloé Zhao for Best Director for 'Nomadland'.
Chadwick Boseman posthumously won Best Actor for 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' while Carey Mulligan won Best Actress for 'Promising Young Woman'.
'Wolfwalkers' follows Robyn Goodfellowe, the daughter of a hunter. After wandering into a nearby forest, she befriends a wild girl living there named Mebh. The two become friends and band together to protect the last wolf pack, which Robyn's father has been assigned to exterminate.
The voice cast includes Sean Bean, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Tommy Tiernan, Simon McBurney, Honor Kneafsey and Eva Whittaker.
The movie has been getting stellar reviews across the globe following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September.
It also won Best Animated Feature at the New York and Boston Film Critics Circle Awards.
