Los Angeles, Jan. 16 (Jiji Press)--"Kaze Tachinu" (The Wind Rises), the last directorial feature of renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film on Thursday.
If the film receives the prize, it will be the second time for Miyazaki to win an Oscar. In 2003, his "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" (Spirited Away) received the best animated film award.
Kaze Tachinu has already won several U.S. prizes, including the National Board of Review's Best Animated Feature award and the New York Film Critics Circle's Best Animated Film award.
"I'm very honored to see my last film get the Oscar nomination," Miyazaki said, adding this is "quite an honor for all staff members."
In addition, Japanese director Shuhei Morita's "Tsukumo" (Possessions) was nominated for the animated short film award.