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The One and Only Ivan’s Oscar nomination

April 23, 2021 • 
Katelyn Lewis
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Image via @oneandonlyivan

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The One and Only Ivan is up for an Academy Award this weekend.

The Disney film features iconic Lakeland locations + landmarks filmed right here in Swan City. The movie was based on the Newberry Award-winning novel by Katherine Applegate + centers around a silverback gorilla named Ivan.

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Filming at the Silver Moon Drive-In | Photo via @silver_moon_drive_in

Photo via @silver_moon_drive_in

During its filming here in 2018, the move brought $134,000 to Polk County + shot at the Silver Moon Drive-in (4100 New Tampa Hwy.), Dixieland Elementary (416 Ariana St.), W. Palm Dr., and Southgate Shopping Center (2515 Florida Ave S.).

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The One and Only Ivan’s Big Top Mall aka Southgate Shopping Center | Screenshot via One and Only Ivan Trailer on YouTube

Screenshot via YouTube

Now, the movie is up for an Academy Award for the Visual Effects category alongside box office blockbusters such as “Mulan”, “The Midnight Sky”, and “Tenet”. The awards show will air this Sun., Apr. 25 at 6:30 p.m. on ABC.

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