Oscar nod for city-set film

THE Illusionist, an animated "love letter" set in Edinburgh, has been nominated for an Oscar.

The film, which opened last year's Edinburgh International Film Festival and went on to garner huge praise worldwide, has been nominated for Best Animated Feature Film.

Directed by French artist Sylvain Chomet, who previously made the Oscar-nominated Belleville Rendez-vous, The Illusionist tells the story of a magician who travels to Edinburgh from Paris.

It is facing tough competition for the prize however, in the shape of two computer-generated 3D blockbusters - Toy Story 3 and How To Train Your Dragon.