Alright animation aficionados, gather ’round! Tonight, we’re glued to the screen, refreshing like mad for the Annie Awards winners. Forget the Oscars, this is the night for animation. We’re talking about the 51st Annual Annie Awards, folks, celebrating the best and brightest in animation. I’ve got my caffeine IV drip ready to go. Let’s do this!
These awards, presented by ASIFA-Hollywood (the International Animated Film Society, Hollywood Chapter), are a huge deal. ASIFA-Hollywood has been championing animation since way back when (1972, to be exact!), so they know their stuff. Think of them as the cool, slightly nerdy uncle of the animation world – totally passionate and always ready to drop some animation history on you. This year, we’re expecting some serious surprises and maybe even a few snubs. You know how it goes.
Consider this your one-stop shop for all things Annie Awards. I’ll be updating this list LIVE as the Annie Awards winners are announced, so keep hitting that refresh button! I’m aiming for speed here, folks, so expect quick updates, maybe a little commentary (you know I can’t help myself), and hopefully no typos (but no promises!). You might also enjoy: Eric Dane’s ALS Death: Friends Launch GoFundMe for Daughters. You might also enjoy: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Show: Why the Feds Want the Lyrics.
Best Feature: And the Annie Goes To…
This is the big one, right? The category everyone’s waiting for. Last year, it was Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. What will it be this year? The nominees are:
- The Boy and the Heron
- Elemental
- Nimona
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- Suzume
UPDATE: And the Annie goes to… Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse! BOOM! Did anyone not see that coming? Seriously, that movie was a visual feast and a storytelling triumph. Deserved, totally deserved. I personally loved the animation style; it was like a comic book come to life, but, you know, without the paper cuts. It’s hard to believe this is the only award the film took home tonight!
Here’s the thing — Okay, so what’s the deal with animated features these days? It feels like we’re in a golden age, honestly. We’re seeing more diverse stories, bolder animation styles, and studios willing to take risks. Remember when everything was just trying to be a Pixar clone? Thankfully, those days are (mostly) gone. We’ve got hand-drawn masterpieces, stop-motion wonders, and CGI spectacles all vying for our attention. And that’s a good thing.
Television/Media Categories: Series Supremacy
Let’s move on to the small screen (or, you know, whatever screen you’re watching on). TV and media animation is HUGE right now. Streaming services have opened the floodgates, and we’re drowning in amazing content. Not a complaint, mind you. Here are some key categories and their winners:
Best TV/Media – Children
- Batwheels – “Holidays on Wheels” – Warner Bros. Animation
- Kiff – “Kiff’s Mix” – Disney Television Animation
- Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur – “The Beyonder” – Cinema Gypsy Productions and Marvel Animation
- StoryBots: Answer Time – “Why Do We Have to Go to School?” – Netflix
- The Smeds and The Smoos – Magic Light Pictures
UPDATE: The winner is… Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur – “The Beyonder”!
Best TV/Media – General Audience
- Bob’s Burgers – “The Plight Before Christmas” – 20th Television Animation
- Family Guy – “A Star Is Reborn” – 20th Television Animation
- 派对浪客诸葛孔明(Ya Boy Kongming!) – “Episode 9” – Avex Pictures
- Rick and Morty – “Unmortricken” – Rick and Morty LLC
- The Simpsons – “Treehouse of Horror XXXIV” – 20th Television
UPDATE: And the Annie goes to… Rick and Morty – “Unmortricken”! Well, that’s not exactly shocking, is it? Love it or hate it, Rick and Morty still manages to push boundaries and make us think (or at least question reality).
Best TV/Media – Preschool
- Bluey – “Cricket” – Ludo Studio
- Ghee Happy – “Diwal-li” – Netflix
- Hey Duggee – “The Film Badge” – Studio AKA
- Puppy Dog Pals – “Sea Captain Bob” – Wild Canary Animation / Disney Junior
- Superkitties – “A SuperKitty Christmas” – Disney Junior
UPDATE: The winner is… Bluey – “Cricket”! This is one I can actually watch with my kids and not want to pull my hair out. Smart, funny, and genuinely heartwarming. Plus, the animation is adorable.
Real talk: So, what’s next for animation on TV? I think we’re going to see even more experimentation with styles and formats. More adult animation that’s actually smart (not just crude). More shows that tackle complex issues in a way that kids can understand. And hopefully, more international collaborations. The possibilities are endless, really. I’m here for it.
Short Subject & Special Productions: Bite-Sized Brilliance
Don’t underestimate the power of a good short! These categories are where you often find the most innovative and experimental animation. It’s a chance for smaller studios and indie creators to really shine. Plus, who doesn’t love a quick dose of animated goodness?
Best Short Subject
- Boom – Late Night Work Club
- Carrot Cake – Nick Park
- Eeva – HOHOHO
- HUMO – Akhila Palat Chengappa
- War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko – Sean Ono Lennon, Peter Jackson
UPDATE: The Annie goes to… War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko! A powerful message and stunning visuals. Definitely worth checking out if you haven’t seen it.
Best Special Production
- Invincible: Atom Eve – Amazon MGM Studios
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – Insomniac Games
- Migration (Video Game Trailer) – Illumination Studios
- Nintendo x Illumination: The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Special Nintendo Direct – Illumination Studios
- Pokémon Concierge – Dwarf Studio / Netflix
UPDATE: The winner is… Pokémon Concierge! Okay, I’ll admit it, I haven’t seen this one yet. But I’m a sucker for Pokemon, so I’m adding it to my list. Plus, the concept sounds super chill.
Short-form animation is so important because it’s a training ground. It’s where new talent gets discovered, where crazy ideas get tested, and where the future of animation is being shaped. These awards can be a huge boost for smaller studios, giving them the recognition they need to attract funding and new projects.
Individual Achievement Awards: Recognizing Talent
Animation is a team sport. It takes hundreds of talented people working together to bring these stories to life. So, let’s give some love to the individuals who make the magic happen.
I’m not going to list every category here (we’d be here all night!), but I’ll highlight some of the key ones:
Character Animation – TV/Media
- Alberto Abril – Star Wars: Visions – Screecher’s Reach – Lucasfilm Ltd.
- Matteo Arevalos – Hilda – “Chapter 8: The Fairy Isle” – Mercury Filmworks / Netflix / Silvergate Media
- Sylvain Cabanas – Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire – “Moremi” – Triggerfish / Disney
- Joaquín Reyes Carmona – 派对浪客诸葛孔明(Ya Boy Kongming!) – “Episode 9” – Avex Pictures
- Jennifer Dickie – Praise Petey – “Petey’s Magical Journey to Self Acceptance” – ShadowMachine / Freeform
UPDATE: The winner is… Alberto Abril for Star Wars: Visions – Screecher’s Reach!
Directing – Feature
- Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Sony Pictures Animation
- Peter Sohn – Elemental – Pixar Animation Studios
- Chris Miller, Phil Lord – The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Illumination
- Nick Bruno, Troy Quane – Nimona – Annapurna Animation
- Hayao Miyazaki – The Boy and the Heron – Studio Ghibli
UPDATE: The Annie goes to… Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!
Writing – Feature
- Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Sony Pictures Animation
- Brendan Hay, Robert L. Baird – Nimona – Annapurna Animation
- Mike White – Migration – Illumination
- Ken Keisel, Kirk DeMicco – Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken – DreamWorks Animation
- Hayao Miyazaki – The Boy and the Heron – Studio Ghibli
UPDATE: The winner is… Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!
These individual awards are so important because they highlight the specific skills and talents that go into making animation so special. From the character animators who breathe life into our favorite characters to the writers who craft compelling stories, every role is crucial. And let’s not forget the voice actors! They deserve all the praise in the world.
Juried Awards: Honoring Lifetime Achievement
These awards aren’t about one specific project; they’re about a lifetime of contributions to the art of animation. It’s a chance to honor the legends and pioneers who paved the way for all the amazing animation we enjoy today.
This year’s Winsor McCay Award winners are:
- Charlotte “Lotte” Reiniger (posthumously)
- Willis O’Brien (posthumously)
- Frank Gladstone
The June Foray Award was given to:
- Kevin Koch
These folks are giants. Reiniger, a pioneer of silhouette animation, created The Adventures of Prince Achmed way back in 1926. O’Brien was a stop-motion genius who brought King Kong to life. Gladstone has been a tireless advocate for animation for decades. Koch’s decades of service to ASIFA-Hollywood make this a well-deserved honor. Their contributions have shaped the industry in countless ways.
Looking back at the history of animation, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. From hand-drawn cels to CGI masterpieces, the technology has changed dramatically, but the core principles of storytelling and character design remain the same. And these honorees have all played a vital role in that evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the Annie Awards?
A: The Annie Awards are presented by ASIFA-Hollywood to recognize excellence in animation across film, television, and other media. they’re considered one of the highest honors in the field of animation.
Q: Who votes for the Annie Awards?
A: Members of ASIFA-Hollywood, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art of animation, vote for the Annie Awards.
Q: Where can I watch the Annie Awards ceremony?
A: The Annie Awards ceremony is typically streamed online. Check the ASIFA-Hollywood website or their social media channels for details on how to watch.
So, that’s a wrap on the 51st Annual Annie Awards winners! Did your favorites win? Any surprises? Any snubs that made you want to throw your popcorn at the screen? Let me know in the comments. And most importantly: go watch some animation! Support the artists, the studios, and the stories that move you. The future of animation depends on it.
