Statement by the Honourable James Moore on the Announcement of the 85th Academy Award Nominees

OTTAWA, January 10, 2013 - I was pleased to learn that, for the third consecutive year, a Canadian film has been nominated for the Oscar for best foreign‑language film—Rebelle (War Witch), directed by Kim Nguyen and produced by Pierre Even and Marie-Claude Poulin. Canadians can be proud as artists from our country distinguish themselves on the world stage and strengthen our reputation for cinematic excellence.

I would like to congratulate all the Canadians who are also on the official list of nominees:

Best song:

• Mychael Danna – Pi’s Lullaby from Life of Pi

Best Original Score:

• Mychael Danna – Life of Pi

Visual Effects:

• Guillaume Rocheron –  Life of Pi

Short Film Live Action:

• Yan England – Henry
• Ariel Nasr – Buzkashi Boys

Best Picture:

• Life of Pi – Based on a book by Canadian author Yann Martel

I would also like to applaud Doug James, a Canadian software developer who is one of the first Academy Award winners of the year. With his three colleagues, Nils Thuerey, Theodore Kim and Markus Gross, he won a Technical Achievement Award for developing the Wavelet Turbulence software.

On behalf of the Government of Canada and of all Canadians, I wish the nominees the best of luck at the upcoming 85^th Academy Awards ceremony on February 24.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788