What 2017 animated film, nominated for an Academy Award, tells the story of a giant but gentle bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting in the bullring?

The 2017 animated film you're thinking of is "Ferdinand (Review)." This heartwarming movie tells the story of a giant Spanish bull who, from a young age, has no interest in the traditional bullfighting path his peers pursue. Instead, Ferdinand finds joy in the simple things, like smelling flowers and appreciating nature, a gentle spirit that remains with him even as he grows to an imposing size.

The plot follows Ferdinand's journey after he is mistakenly identified as a dangerous beast and taken from his peaceful home to a bull training facility. There, he struggles to fit in with the other bulls who are all eager to prove themselves in the bullring. Despite the pressure to fight, Ferdinand holds onto his pacifist nature, ultimately seeking a way to escape and return to the flower farm and the loving girl who raised him.

"Ferdinand" was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards. The film, produced by Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox, is based on Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson's beloved 1936 children's book, "The Story of Ferdinand." The classic tale has been adapted before, notably as a Walt Disney animated short in 1938. The 2017 film, directed by Carlos Saldanha, brought this enduring message of individuality and non-violence to a new generation, with John Cena lending his voice to the titular gentle giant.