Oscars 2013: Brenda Chapman's 'Brave' Win a Vindication After Being Fired From the Project

In a fairy-tale ending, director Brenda Chapman took the stage at the Academy Awards on Sunday to accept the Oscar for best animated feature for Pixar's Brave -- a project she was fired from in early 2011 over creative differences.

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Chapman shared the win with Mark Andrews, who took over directing duties upon Chapman's exit. She had worked on Brave for eight years.

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"It is absolutely a vindication," Chapman said backstage, flanked by Andrews (who wore a green kilt).

"I wanted to honor her when I came on board," Andrews said.

Chiming in, Chapman said, "I very much feel he did."

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Brave's win, in and of itself, was a major upset and continues Pixar's dazzling Oscar run. Many considered Wreck-It-Ralph -- from sister Pixar company Disney Animation Studios -- to be a front-runner along with Tim Burton's Frankenweenie.

Brave's win marks the seventh time that a Pixar film has won the Academy Award for best animated feature (the category was created a decade ago).