In a category that is often filled with animated films geared toward children and families, “Memoir of a Snail” and its themes of depression and conversion therapy immediately stand out in this year’s Best Animated Feature category. But this isn’t the first time that director Adam Elliot has found himself at the Academy Awards, with his short “Harvie Krumpet” winning 21 years ago.

Elliot notes how the success of “Harvie Krumpet” helped get “Mary & Max” off the ground, which released to critical acclaim after its 2009 Sundance premiere. On the campaign trail for “Memoir of a Snail,” Elliot finds himself back in the artistic hub of Los Angeles after 15 years, meeting agents and representatives from major studios like Netflix and Sony. “They’re all very lovely and nice but they all want me to direct one of their films,” he explains. “So far, it’s always been something for...