Armenian-American filmmaker Madeline Sharafian has earned her second Academy Award nomination, this time for directing Disney/Pixar’s feature film “ELIO,” marking a historic milestone in both her career and Pixar’s legacy. The nomination comes as “ELIO” marks Sharafian’s feature directorial debut, making her the first Armenian and only the third woman ever to direct a feature-length film at Pixar, ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
This was first reported by the Armenian Film Society.
Sharafian serves as a director of “ELIO” alongside Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, marking her transition from short-form animation to feature filmmaking at Pixar. The achievement represents a landmark moment for Armenian representation in animation and global cinema.
“ELIO” follows an 11-year-old space fanatic with an active imagination who is unintentionally thrust into a cosmic adventure after becoming Earth’s intergalactic ambassador. As he navigates an escalating crisis of galactic proportions, Elio must form new bonds with alien lifeforms and ultimately discover who he is truly meant to be. The film has drawn praise for its emotional depth, imaginative world-building, and themes of identity and belonging.
Sharafian previously received her first Academy Award nomination in 2021 for Best Animated Short Film for Pixar’s “BURROW.” She joined Pixar straight out of college in 2015, and her rapid ascent from short-form storytelling to feature filmmaking reflects a remarkable creative trajectory within the studio.
The Oscar nomination builds on strong awards-season momentum for “ELIO.” In December, the film earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Animated at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, placing it in a competitive field alongside “Arco,” “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle,” “KPop Demon Hunters,” “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” and “Zootopia 2.” The Golden Globe Awards aired on Sunday, January 11, 2026, further cementing the film’s position as one of the year’s standout animated features.
In recognition of her contributions to film and animation, Madeline Sharafian was honored at the 2025 Armenian Film Society Gala, where her award was presented by her colleague and fellow Armenian Pixar producer Katherine Sarafian.
For Armenian audiences worldwide, Sharafian’s continued success represents more than an individual achievement. Organizations such as the Armenian Film Society, which for over a decade has hosted screenings, Q&As, workshops, and launched the Armenian Film Festival, have helped build the foundation for this level of Armenian visibility and recognition in global cinema.
The 2026 Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
