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Media Analysis of Racism and Speciesism (MARS) test finds Oscars so AnthropoScenic in contemporary animated films

Khazaal, Natalie ; Gorsevski, Ellen and Linné, Tobias LU orcid (2026) In Frontiers in Communication 10.
Abstract
Introduction: Animation transfers human races into animals, serving as a prime site for speciesism and racism.

Methods: Testing this observation on recent examples, our quantitative/qualitative study delves into a nine-year (2016-2024) span of Oscar-nominated animated feature and short films. We theorize how to make incisive, quantitative/qualitative, balanced trans-species intersectionality the foundation of critical research on racism and speciesism. We offer the Media Analysis of Racism and Speciesism Test (MARS test), a practical tool accessible to scholars, creators, and general viewers for analyzing character portrayals and interactions, helping identify and challenge normalized racist and speciesist... (More)
Introduction: Animation transfers human races into animals, serving as a prime site for speciesism and racism.

Methods: Testing this observation on recent examples, our quantitative/qualitative study delves into a nine-year (2016-2024) span of Oscar-nominated animated feature and short films. We theorize how to make incisive, quantitative/qualitative, balanced trans-species intersectionality the foundation of critical research on racism and speciesism. We offer the Media Analysis of Racism and Speciesism Test (MARS test), a practical tool accessible to scholars, creators, and general viewers for analyzing character portrayals and interactions, helping identify and challenge normalized racist and speciesist storylines.

Results: Insufficient number of films yielded transspecies allyship.

Discussion: The MARS test is for anyone who is interested in ways film and other media offer questionable implications regarding racism and speciesism that call for accountability. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Frontiers in Communication
volume
10
article number
1483941
pages
26 pages
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105029177718
ISSN
2297-900X
DOI
10.3389/fcomm.2025.1483941
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
03b8c0ac-19cb-4c1d-a0c6-d5fd314e50f0
date added to LUP
2026-01-20 16:28:22
date last changed
2026-02-20 14:42:06
@article{03b8c0ac-19cb-4c1d-a0c6-d5fd314e50f0,
  abstract     = {{Introduction: Animation transfers human races into animals, serving as a prime site for speciesism and racism.<br/><br/>Methods: Testing this observation on recent examples, our quantitative/qualitative study delves into a nine-year (2016-2024) span of Oscar-nominated animated feature and short films. We theorize how to make incisive, quantitative/qualitative, balanced trans-species intersectionality the foundation of critical research on racism and speciesism. We offer the Media Analysis of Racism and Speciesism Test (MARS test), a practical tool accessible to scholars, creators, and general viewers for analyzing character portrayals and interactions, helping identify and challenge normalized racist and speciesist storylines.<br/><br/>Results: Insufficient number of films yielded transspecies allyship.<br/><br/>Discussion: The MARS test is for anyone who is interested in ways film and other media offer questionable implications regarding racism and speciesism that call for accountability.}},
  author       = {{Khazaal, Natalie and Gorsevski, Ellen and Linné, Tobias}},
  issn         = {{2297-900X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Communication}},
  title        = {{Media Analysis of Racism and Speciesism (MARS) test finds Oscars so AnthropoScenic in contemporary animated films}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1483941}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fcomm.2025.1483941}},
  volume       = {{10}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}