This last weekend the 2017 Annie Awards were held at UCLA. Started in 1972 by voice over legend June Foray, the award ceremony is held by ASIFA-Hollywood (“Association Internationale du Film d’Animation”) and celebrates the last year’s outstanding achievements in animation.
Noted to be animation’s most glamorous yearly event, many luminaries of the field walked the red carpet:
“Moana’s” Auli’i Cravalho
Two of this year’s Winsor McCay award recipients…
Mamoru Oshii
Dale Baer
Head of Animation for “Moana,” Hyrum Osmond
Ernie Hudson
Paige O’Hara, Glen Keane, and Frank Gladstone
James Hong
Producer Osnat Shurer and Directors John Musker and Ron Clements for “Moana”
Kobe Bryant and Glen Keane
“Kubo and the Two Strings” director Travis Knight
Bill Farmer and Sam Kwasman
Friz Freleng’s daughters Sybil and Hope
“Zootopia” producer Clark Spencer and directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore
At the award ceremonies, “Zootopia” was the big winner, taking Best Animated Feature over fellow nominees “Moana,” “Finding Dory,” “Kubo and the Two Strings,” and “Kung Fu Panda 3.” It also won Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature; Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature; Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature; and Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature. Pixar’s “Piper” took Best Animated Short Subject and “Moana” took Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production. In Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature, Auli’i Cravalho and Jason Bateman tied for “Moana” and “Zootopia” respectively.
The Winsor McCay award recipients for contributions to the animation art form were legendary animator Dale Baer; independent animation champion Caroline Leaf; and influential anime director Mamoru Oshii. The Ub Iwerks Award for technical advancement was presented to Google Spotlight’s Virtual Reality Platform; and the Special Achievement Award was presented to “Life, Animated,” a documentary about how a young autistic boy’s struggle to communicate with the help of classic Disney animated characters.
The long list of quality films, shorts, and TV productions makes the current health and vigor of the animation industry obvious. Full listings of the night’s nominees and winners are available at http://annieawards.org/nominees/#23, and are a great source for new titles to put on your viewing queue.
Trending Now
Let's have a chat about an Oura Ring that Disney Adults just can’t seem to...
If you're an introvert, should you head to GEO-82 or find another lounge in Disney...
It all starts on July 8th!
You need to check out these new Stanley Cup colors on Amazon!
The resort's refurbishment lineup continues to grow.
There has been a BIG change in Magic Kingdom!
We are trying out a NEW DOLE Whip Sampler at Swirls on the Water at...
The new Starbucks Haunted Mansion tumbler is FINALLY available online!
Get over to BoxLunch NOW!
Grab these discounted Disney gifts online RIGHT NOW!
Today is the FINAL day to experience these two Magic Kingdom attractions in Liberty Square!
If you are flying home from Disney World with these souvenirs, be extra kind to...
Universal is growing... but the resort still has some issues.
Don't fall for these "scams" next time you're at Disney World.
Making park pass reservations as an Annual Passholder is changing BIG TIME this month!
We spotted our first 2026 souvenir in Disney World!
ANOTHER restaurant at Disney's Dolphin Hotel is permanently closing to make way for a new...
So you're headed for a fun day at the water park! Here are the ESSENTIALS...
Here are two of the Magic Shots you can get during Disneyland's Oogie Boogie Bash!
Should you and your family stay at Universal's Endless Summer Resort -- Dockside Inn? Find...