Encanto Wins Oscar For Best Animated Feature Film

Disney's Encanto has bagged the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2022 Academy Awards.

The news will come as no surprise to the fans, with the fantasy comedy proving to be a huge success after it arrived on Disney Plus over the Christmas holidays.

It quickly became one of the highest grossing films of the season.

Encanto reigned champion at the awards ceremony, beating out competition from Luca, Raya and the Last Dragon, Flee and The Mitchells vs. The Machines.

One of the film's producers, Yvett Merino, also made history as the first Latina to win an Oscar for an animated feature.

During her acceptance speech, Merino said: "I am so proud to be a part of a film that puts beautiful, diverse characters in front and centre, and that people everywhere are seeing themselves in the film."

The film itself centres on the Mardigals - a family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto.

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Each Madrigal child has been gifted with a magical power - except for Mirabel. However, she goes on to be the last hope for the family after discovering the magic surrounding Encanto is in danger.

The story captured the hearts of families worldwide, as did one of its songs 'We Don't Talk About Bruno', which did so well, it managed to surpass Frozen's 'Let It Go' as Disney's highest-charting song on the UK singles chart.

Another notable song in the film's soundtrack is the poignant ballad 'Waiting On a Miracle'.

Stephanie Beatriz, who provides the voice for Mirabel, revealed she recorded the song whilst in labour with her first child.

Beatriz, who starred as Rosa in the cult sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, shared the mind-blowing tidbit in an interview with Variety.

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"I didn't want to tell anybody at Disney because I didn't want anyone to freak out. But I was already having some contractions when we were scheduled to record that day.

"I was like 'Well, fingers crossed I finish the song before [the baby] comes!"

Beatriz gave birth to her daughter Rosaline Hoss the day after the recording session took place in August 2021.

Co-director Bryan Howard revealed he knew Beatriz was 'very, very, very, very, very' ready to give birth but was not aware she was actually in labour.

Words: Daisy Phillipson