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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.
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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!)
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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.