We were pleased to see Banksy's ace documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop get recognised in the 2011 Oscar nominations.
Whether or not it's an attempt by the Academy to seem cool, we don't care! It's great that the occasionally stuffy Best Documentary Feature category will get a shake up.
Throughout the film, street-artist extraordinaire Banksy keeps his identity hidden via convenient shadows and voice modulation.
Will the artist's identity now be revealed at the 2011 Academy Awards on February 27th?
Responding to the news of the nomination, Banksy released a cryptic statement: "This is a big surprise."
"I don't agree with the concept of award ceremonies, but I'm prepared to make an exception for the ones I'm nominated for. The last time there was a naked man covered in gold paint in my house, it was me."
One thing's for sure, the inclusion of Exit Through the Gift Shop is going to make the Documentary Feature category much more interesting this year.
The film is up against GasLand , Inside Job , Restrepo and Waste Land : does it have a shot at gold?
The British artist made headlines worldwide last year when he created a controversial couch gag for The Simpsons , and his subversive artworks have gained him a cult following.
