(January 31, 2012)

Artist-in-residence nominated for Academy Award

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College Artist-in-Residence William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg from Moonbot Studios have been nominated to receive an Academy Award for their first animated short film, "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore." The winner will be announced at the 84th Academy Awards on February 26.

"Morris Lessmore" is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. The film has already won 13 awards, including "Best Animated Short" and "Audience Award Winner" at the Austin Film Festival and "Best Animated Short" at the Cinequest Film Fest.

Hailed by Newsweek as one of the top 100 people to watch in the new millennium, William Joyce wrote his first book in the fourth grade and has since produced a slew of classics beloved by both children and adults. Among those books are George Shrinks, Santa Calls, Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo, The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs, and A Day with Wilbur Robinson. Joyce has won three Emmys for his popular children's show "William Joyce's Role Polie Olie," a Disney animated series. His illustrations have appeared on the cover of The New Yorker, and his paintings are displayed at museums and art galleries nationwide.

Since affiliating with Centenary, Joyce has supported the educational goals of the College by sharing his time and talents with staff and students in the form of lectures, in-house demonstrations, office tours, employment opportunities and internships as his production schedule allows.

Founded in 2010, Moonbot Studios is an animation and storytelling company based in Shreveport, LA. Moonbot Studios was co-founded by award-winning artists and filmmakers William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg and veteran film producer Lampton Enochs.

An official iPad app based on "Morris Lessmore" is available in the Apple App Store. A book adaption is expected to be released in late 2012.