Annie Awards 2022 Nominations & Winners

How did the Annie Awards begin?

It was a clear beginning. June recounts, one of the creators of this event.

It all started in 1972

“I suggested that we give animation awards,” I remarked. Everyone else receives recognition, but animation does not. Max Fleischer had recently passed away, and he was a true pioneer of animation, having created Betty Boop, Olive Oyl, Popeye, and other characters and inventing rotoscoping. So I thought it would be a great idea to honor him and his brother, Dave Fleischer, who directed so many of the pictures.”

June organized the event with the permission of ASIFA-Hollywood president Nick Bosustow. First and foremost, the event required a name. She didn’t have to look very hard for this. “As long as it’s an animation prize, why not call it the Annie?” June recalls her husband saying. June’s husband, Hobart Donavan, came up with the award’s iconic title.

When will the Annie Awards 2022 be held?  

The 49th Annual Annie AwardsTM, initially scheduled for Saturday, February 26, has been rescheduled to a virtual format. The adjustment raised concerns about the Omicron variant’s fast proliferation.

On Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 7 p.m. (Pacific Time), The Annies will be streamed live. The live stream connection will be free and open to anybody who wishes to watch the event. The following day, a complete video will be accessible on the Annie Award website – www.annieawards.org.

What are the 49th Annie Awards Nominations?

On Tuesday, ASIFA-Hollywood released the 49th Annie Awards for animation nominees. Walt Disney Animation Studios took the lead in the feature competition with ten nominations for Raya and the Last Dragon and nine nominations for Encanto. Luca from Pixar and The Mitchells vs. The Machines from Sony Pictures Animation/Netflix are tied for second place with eight nominations each.

The nominations are as follows: 

• Best Feature

Encanto, Walt Disney Animation Studios

Luca, Pixar Animation Studios

Raya and the Last Dragon, Walt Disney Animation Studios

Sing 2, Illumination

The Mitchells vs. The Machines, Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix

• Best Indie Feature

Belle, Studio Chizu / Distributed by GKIDS

Flee, Final Cut For Real, Sun Creature, Vivement Lundi !, MostFilm, Mer Film, VICE, Left HandFilms, Participant

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, STUDIO 4oC / Distributed by GKIDS

Pompo the Cinephile, CLAP Animation Studio / Distributed by GKIDS

The Summit of the Gods, Julianne Films, Folivari and Mélusine Productions Present In co-production with France 3 Cinéma and Auvergne-Rhône- Alpes Cinéma in association with Wild Bunch in association with Palatine Etoile 17, Cinémage 14, Indéfilms 8 for Netflix

• Best Special Production

For Auld Lang Syne, WildBrain Studios, in association with Apple

La Vie de Château, Films Grand Huit in association with Miyu Productions

Mum Is Pouring Rain, Laïdak Films & Dandelooo

Namoo, Baobab Studios

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, STUDIO MIR for Netflix

• Best Short Subject

Bestia, Trebol 3 Producciones, MALEZA Estudio

Easter Eggs, Animal Tank / Brecht Van Elslande

MAALBEEK, Films Grand Huit Films à Vif

Night Bus, Joe Hsieh Independent Production

Steakhouse, Finta Film, Fabian & Fred, RTV Slovenija, Miyu Productions

• Best Character Animation – Feature

Encanto, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Dave Hardin

Luca, Pixar Animation Studios
Tarun Lak

Raya and the Last Dragon, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Jennifer Hager

The Boss Baby: Family Business, Dreamworks Animation
Ravi Kamble Govind

Wish Dragon,  Netflix Presents A Columbia Pictures, Beijing Sparkle Roll Media Corporation, Tencent Pictures, Base Media Presentation / A Sony Pictures Animation Production, Ketan Adikhari

• Best Character Design – TV/Media

Arcane
Episode: Some Mysteries Better Left Unsolved
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
Evan Monteiro

Batman: The Long Halloween Part One Episode: Broadcast Special, Warner Bros. Animation
Otto Schmidt

Kid Cosmic
Episode: The Rings of Power, A Netflix Original Series
Craig McCracken

Maya and the Three Episode: The Sun and the Moon, A Netflix Series
Jorge R. Gutierrez

Yuki 7
Episode: They Called Her Number Seven
Chromosphere
Keiko Murayama

The Winners are:

• Best Feature:

• Best Indie Feature

• Best Character Animation – Feature

• Best Character Design – TV/Media

Arash Naghdi

Arash is the equivalent of Buzz in Toy Story when he goes to infinity and beyond, but never comes back! responsible for our blog and content marketing efforts, he always delights the audience with his tenacity and passion in creating the extraordinary.