CalArtians Pete Docter and Genndy Tartakovsky took home Annie Awards at the virtual ceremony on April 16. | Courtesy: ASIFA
On Friday (April 16), the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA-Hollywood) announced the winners of the 48th annual Annie Awards during a virtual ceremony. Pixar’s Soul, directed by CalArts alum Pete Docter (Film/Video BFA 90) and co-director Kemp Powers, picked up seven Annies, including Best Feature.
Docter and Powers, along with Mike Jones, also won the Annie for writing. The film, about a New York jazz pianist (Jamie Foxx) who finds himself trapped in a strange place between Earth and the afterlife, also earned Annie Awards in the editing, special effects, character animation, storyboarding, and music categories.
Primal, created by Genndy Tartakovsky (Film/Video 92) won in the Best TV/Media, General Audience category for the episode, “Coven Of The Damned.” Tartakovsky also took home the trophy for Best Direction, TV/Media for Primal’s episode “Plague Of Madness.” (And in true CalArts fashion, he accepted the award from his shower!)
During the ceremony, animator, producer, director, and CalArts alum Bruce W. Smith (Film/Video BFA 83) was honored as a recipient of The Winsor McCay Award, one of the animation industry’s highest honors as it recognizes career contributions to animation. He, too, had a little fun while accepting the award from his mother’s house, dressed in a tux up top and pajama bottoms.
- View all of the Annie Award winners.
- Watch the entire ceremony on the Annie Awards website.