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52nd Annie Awards Nominations Announced

On December 20, 2024, ASIFA-Hollywood unveiled the nominations for the prestigious 52nd Annie Awards™. This annual celebration recognizes outstanding achievements in the realm of animation. The event is set to take place on February 8, 2025, in UCLA's iconic Royce Hall, making it a highly anticipated occasion for animation enthusiasts around the globe.

The ceremony will kick off with a glamorous red carpet and pre-reception starting at 4:30 PM, culminating in the awards ceremony at 7:00 PM. The Annie Awards™ cover an impressive 36 categories, honoring various forms of animated artistry, including 'Best Animated Feature' and 'Best Animated Feature-Independent'. This year's notable contenders in the animated feature category feature illustrious titles from leading studios:

• - Inside Out 2 by Pixar Animation Studios
• - Kung Fu Panda 4 from DreamWorks Animation
• - That Christmas produced by Locksmith Animation for Netflix
• - The Wild Robot, also from DreamWorks Animation
• - Ultraman Rising in collaboration with Tsuburaya Productions and Netflix presents
• - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, an endeavor by Aardman and Netflix.

For the independent film segment, a range of captivating titles have emerged, showcasing creative voices from smaller studios. These include:

• - Chicken for Linda! from Dolce Vita Films, among others.
• - Flow, a collaborative project from Sacrebleu Productions and Dream Well Studio
• - Kensuke's Kingdom produced by Paramount Pictures
• - Memoir of a Snail by Snails Pace Films

ASIFA-Hollywood's Executive Director, Aubry Mintz, expressed excitement over the diverse range of talent highlighted in this year's nominations, emphasizing the growing breadth of creativity within the animation field. He stated, “This exemplifies the diverse talents and approaches in our vibrant art form.”

One of the key highlights of the event will be the presentation of the Juried Awards. These awards honor significant lifetime contributions to animation and acknowledge remarkable achievements from both commercial studios and independent filmmakers alike. Notable awardees include:

• - Winsor McCay Award recipients, featuring Disney's Aaron Blaise and the late Eunice Macaulay from the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).
• - June Foray Award bestowed upon Women In Animation, a vital advocacy group for gender equity in the animation industry.
• - Ub Iwerks Award recognizing advancements in technical innovation awarded to performance capture pioneer Alberto Menache.

Additionally, a Special Achievement Award will honor the important historical work of 'Directing at Disney – The Original Directors of Walt's Animated Films', authored by Pete Docter and Don Peri.

This year, the event is made possible by significant support from sponsors, including Platinum sponsors such as DreamWorks Animation and Netflix, showcasing a collective effort to uplift the animation community.

Founded in 1972 by esteemed voice talent June Foray, the Annie Awards™ have evolved significantly, becoming a leading authority in recognizing exceptional animation work across various platforms. As ASIFA-Hollywood continues to promote animators worldwide, the Annie Awards serve as a crucial celebration of talent, dedication, and innovation in the animation industry.

For more information on the Annie Awards™, including a complete list of nominations and ticket details, visit Annie Awards Official Website. Let the celebration of creativity commence as the world of animation comes together to honor its finest!