Annie Awards 2026: Nominations and Honorees Announced
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The 53rd Annual Annie Awards nominations have been announced,recognizing the best in animation. kpop Demon Hunters, a Netflix production, leads the pack with 13 nominations, closely followed by Pixar’s Elio with 10. Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 and GK Films’ Little Amélie or the Character of Rain each received five nominations.
Best Film Nominees
The competition for Best Film includes KPop Demon Hunters, Elio, Zootopia 2, and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, alongside the Bad Guys 2 from DreamWorks animation. The following films are competing for Best Self-reliant film: Arco, I’m Frankelda, Lost in Starlight, A Magnificent Life, and Scarlet.
Jury Awards Recognize Lifetime Achievement
In addition too the competitive awards, ASIFA-hollywood announced the recipients of the 2026 Jury Awards, honoring important contributions to the animation industry.These awards recognize unparalleled achievement and dedication to the art form.
Winsor McCay Award
The prestigious Winsor McCay Award, celebrating lifetime or career contributions, will be presented to animator, screenwriter, and director Michaël Dudok de Wit, and also to directors Christopher Miller and Phil lord, and screenwriter and director Chris Sanders. This award acknowledges their lasting impact on the field of animation.
June Foray Award
Sandy Rabins, an animation and live-action producer and the founder and leader of the AnimAID initiative, will receive the June Foray award. This award recognizes her significant and beneficial impact on the animation community, particularly her work supporting those affected by the Los Angeles fires.
Ub Iwerks Award
Wacom, the manufacturer of the Cintiq graphics tablet and other essential tools for animation production, will be honored with the Ub Iwerks Award for Technical Advancement. This award acknowledges Wacom’s influence on the animation industry through its innovative technology.
Special Achievement Award
The Special Achievement Award, recognizing unique and extraordinary accomplishments, will be presented to LightBox Expo, an annual event that fosters a vibrant community of animation filmmakers, students, and enthusiasts.
Awards Ceremony Details
the Annie awards ceremony will be held on February 21st at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Historically, the Annie Awards have been a strong indicator of success at the Academy Awards, with 14 out of the last 23 winners of the Best animated Feature Oscar also taking home the Annie Award for Best Film. However, in the most recent awards season, Flow won the Oscar despite not being the top nominee at the Annies, demonstrating a potential shift in the awards landscape.
Published: 2026/01/06 03:23:05
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