About the 45th Annie Awards
45th Annie Awards honors the excellence in the field of animation. The award ceremony will take place on February 2, 2018, at the University of California, Los Angele’s Royce Hall. Coco has earned the most number of nominations (13) and the Breadwinner (10). With this year’s animation selection, there is a lot of diversity from art to background. I was a tad bit disappointed to see the movie, Window Horses do not make the best-animated film list.
Best Animated Film
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
DreamWorks Animation
Captain Underpants is based on the children’s novel by Dav Pikey. The plot follows two elementary pranksters named George and Harold. They hypnotize their strict principal, Mr. Krupp into thinking he is Captain Underpants, a superhero who fights crime while wearing underwear and a cape. The film received positive reviews and has grossed over $125 million.
Cars 3
Pixar Animation Studios
Cars 3 once again stars Lightning McQueen and other NASCAR personalities. He sets out to prove himself to a new generation of high tech racing cars and defend his title of the best race car in the world. The film has grossed over $383 million worldwide and has received positive reviews.
Coco
Pixar Animation Studios
Coco is based on an original idea by Lee Unkrich. The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who is transported to the land of the dead. He must find a dead family member to believe in his dream of becoming a musician to return home. There are many cultural references, for example, Frida Kahlo. It has grossed over $293 million worldwide and has received positive reviews. If you enjoy past Pixar movies this movie is for you.
Despicable Me 3
Illumination
Despicable Me 3 tells the story of Gru teaming up with his long-lost twin brother Dru in order to defeat 1980s child actor who grows up to become a villain, Balthazar Bratt. It is Illumination’s second movie to gross over $1 billion.
The Boss Baby
DreamWorks Animation
The Boss Baby is based on a 2010 picture book of the same name. The movie stars Alec Baldwin as the title character. The plot follows a baby who is a secret agent in the war between babies and puppies. The film received mixed reviews and grossed over $498 million worldwide. A sequel is scheduled to be released in 2021.
Best Animated Feature-Independent
In This Corner Of The World
GENCO Inc, MAPPA Co
In this corner of the world is a Japanese anime based on the manga of the same name. The movie takes place in the 1930s in Hiroshima and Kure. Nature and culture is described as well as the cruel scenes brought by the war and the atomic bomb.
Loving Vincent
BreakThru Films, Production Company Trademark FIlms, Co-Production Company
Loving Vincent is the worlds first fully painted feature film. It tells the tale of Vincent Van Gogh and the circumstances of his death.
Napping Princess
Nippon TV
Napping Princess is a Japanese anime that takes place in the near future. Kokone Morikawa has a strange dream of a society controlled by cars and the King.
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales
Folivari / Paniquel / Studiocanal
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales is a French anthology film. Adapted from Renner’s books, Le grand merchant the film is linked together by a frame narrative.
The Breadwinner
Cartoon Saloon / Aircraft Pictures / Melusine Productions
The Breadwinner is based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Ellis. A girl in Afghanistan must dress as a boy so she can support her family.
Best Animated Special Production
Imaginary Friend Society “Feeling Sad”
Hornet
The Imaginary Friend Society is our way of helping our youngest patients make sense of the many different aspects of cancer. It’s one of the many ways we’re using brains to save brains.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Pig: The Dam Keeper Poems
Tonko House, Inc.
Pig The Dam Keeper is a series written and directed by Erick Oh, we see how Pig remembers becoming the Dam Keeper. Seen through Pig’s youthful perspective, the visuals are abstract and surreal, but the source of his pain and his joy are clear.
Revolting Rhymes
Magic Light Pictures
Revolting Rhymes is an adaptation of Road Dahl’s work. It is a two half-hour animated film illustrated by Quentin Blake. A wolf wants revenge for the deaths of his beloved nephews at the hands of Red Riding Hood.
Tangled Before Ever After
Walt Disney Television Animation
Tangled before ever after is a Disney Television Animation. It takes place between the Tangled film and the animated short, Tangled ever after. Rapunzel must adjust to the life of a princess.
Best Animated Short Subject
Dear Basketball
Glen Keane Productions, Kobe Studios, Believe Entertainment Group
Dear Basketball is an inspiring poem by Kobe Bryant and set to the music of legendary composer, John Williams.
Hedgehog’s Home
National Film Board of Canada, Bonobostudio
Hedgehogs Home is an animated short of a hedgehog living in the forest.
Negative Space
IKKI Films / Manuel Cam Studio
Negative space is an adaptation of the poem by Ron Koertge. The stor is about a boy who connects with his father by learning to pack a suitcase.
Scavengers
Titmouse, Inc. Adult Swim
An 8 minute short created for adult Swim Toonami follows a pair of intergalactic explorers who become stranded on an unfamiliar planet.
Son Of Jaguar
Google Spotlight Stories, Reel FX
In the most important match of his life, the once mighty masked luchador, Son of Jaguar, faces his legacy, his family, and what it means to be a part of something bigger than himself.
The Animated Film Industry 