Oscars 2022: “Encanto” co-director Byron Howard hopes for the second Oscar win

One of the directors, Byron Howard of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, is gearing up for what is expected to be a big night for the animation.

“Encanto” has brought families together from around the world and that family theme continues for the Howards next Sunday night. Howard’s large Italian family will be watching the Oscars from their home in the Delaware Valley.

Howard’s life as an animator began at a young age. He says he was a doodler and liked cartoons.

“I had one of those flip movie things like Snoopy … and you go frame by frame. And I just couldn’t take care of it. Someone drew every single one of those animation frames,” Howard said.

From Byron Howard’s doodling days at Ardmore Avenue Elementary School, he has now made a 30-year career out of animation.

“If I could talk to my 10-year-old self, I’d say, ‘Get ready for a fun ride. We have the best job in the world because we carry these films from the very first blank page, the very first inkling of an idea to see moments like this,'” Howard said.

Encanto marks the fourth time Howard has directed a film for Walt Disney Animation Studios. He is known for mega hits like “Tangled” and “Bolt,” which earned him his first Oscar nomination. In 2017, he won for Zootopia, which took home the award for Best Animated Feature.

“I heard the name and I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll check on my teammates, did they tell us?’ And then I try not to stumble all the way to the stage,” Howard said, recalling his first win five years ago.

“Encanto” is a worldwide hit that could earn him a second coveted Oscar.

“Especially with Mirabel we had a very, very early pitch. It’s like five years ago. This pitch had this idea of ​​a young woman in a family of extraordinary people who was ordinary herself,” Howard said.

“Encanto” celebrated this awards season. Next and last stop? The Oscars.

Howard says he channels the film with his red carpet fashion choices.

“We were trying to do something like a floral ‘encanto’ thing. I have some kind of floral suit. We don’t dress up as animators very often. We usually wear t-shirts given the chance, we tried to make it to the max,” Howard said.

Encanto is produced by Disney, the station’s parent company.

The 94th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on March 27 from 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT. Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes are hosts.

Check out the full list of Oscars 2022 nominations here.