Animation’s big night, the Annie Awards are always a good time to watch as they stream online and there are no shortage of gaffes, though the last couple of years has been a bit less interesting than previously, it’s nice to see an awards program that doesn’t live or die by the ratings.

ANNIE AWARDS

Best Animated Feature

Early Man
Incredibles 2 (RU:Wesley, RU:Thomas)
Isle of Dogs (RU:Peter)
Ralph Breaks the Internet (RU:Tripp)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: Although it isn’t the most nominated, it has won almost every other prize out there, so why not this one? The answer is: Disney/Pixar and DreamWorks. Those two studios have dominated these awards for so long than anything other than them winning is tough; however, acclaim could benefit Spider-Man. If not, look out for Incredibles 2.
Peter J. Patrick: The critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will likely win this over the almost equally acclaimed Isle of Dogs.
Tripp Burton: Spider-Man has a stranglehold on this awards season, and I don’t see it losing here.
Thomas LaTourette: At this point it looks like Spider-Man has the inside track and should win.

Best Animated Feature – Independent

Ce Magnifique Gâteau!
MFKZ
Mirai (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
Ruben Brandt, Collector (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Tito and the Birds

Wesley Lovell: Only one of these was an Oscar nominee and Mirai seems like a safe bet. ANy of the others could win.
Peter J. Patrick: Oscar-nominated Mirai will take this one easily.
Tripp Burton: Mirai is the Oscar nominee of the bunch, so I will go there.
Thomas LaTourette: I’m guessing that the gkids Oscar-nominated Mirai should win.

Best Animated Short Subject

Grandpa Walrus (RU:Tripp)
Lost & Found (Peter, RU:Wesley, RU:Thomas)
SOLAR WALK
Untravel
Weekends (Wesley, Tripp, Thomas, RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: Another list with a single Oscar nominee. For this group, that doesn’t matter much, but if it’s good enough for the Oscars, why not these folk?
Peter J. Patrick: I have no idea, I just threw a dart and it landed on Lost & Found.
Tripp Burton: I’ll go with the emotionally resonant Weekends, which has picked up a lot of awards.
Thomas LaTourette: I have not seen them yet, but Weekends sounds like a winner.

Best Animated Special Production

Back to the Moon (RU:Thomas)
Mary Poppins Returns (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
The Emperor’s Newest Clothes (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter)
The Highway Rat (RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: None of these are Oscar nominees, so don’t look for that to inform the choice. However, considering that one of these is a major motion picture, Mary Poppins Returns, then my prediction lies that direction.
Peter J. Patrick: Throw one to Mary Poppins‘ return.
Tripp Burton: Can Mary Poppins lose this? Probably, but I won’t bet against it.
Thomas LaTourette: This feels like it should go to Mary Poppins Returns.

Best Animated Effects

Early Man
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
Incredibles 2 (Thomas, RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp)
Next Gen
Ralph Breaks the Internet (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, RU:Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: Without the Animated Feature frontrunner in this bunch, then one of the two Disney/Pixar entries should win. Normally, I would give the edge to Incredibles 2, but Ralph Breaks the Internet was actually nominated for the Visual Effects Society award (for the writhing Ralph virus) and I suspect that consideration might be enough to carry the day.
Peter J. Patrick: Lots of effects in Ralph Breaks the Internet and Incredibles 2. Either one seems like a safe bet.
Tripp Burton: Without Spider-Man here, I’m guessing this is Disney vs. Pixar.

Best Character Animation, Animated Feature

Early Man (RU:Thomas)
Incredibles 2
Isle of Dogs (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter)
Ralph Breaks the Internet (RU:Tripp)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: When in doubt, go with the Animated Feature frontrunner. Though, this could be a true test of whether anything other than Disney/Pixar can break through.
Peter J. Patrick: Spidey wins again, but those dogs will give him a run for his money.
Tripp Burton: Go with Spider-Man.

Best Character Animation, Live Action Feature

Avengers: Infinity War (Wesley, Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Christopher Robin (RU:Tripp)
Mary Poppins Returns (Thomas, RU:Wesley, RU:Peter)
Paddington 2 (Peter)
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Wesley Lovell: The two Oscar nominees could be the most likely winners with Avengers leading Christopher Robin. That said, this is for character animation, not visual effects, which could help Mary Poppins‘ traditional cell animation style a bump.
Peter J. Patrick: The adorable Paddington seems like a safe bet.
Tripp Burton: I could see this going many ways, although I’ll bet on Thanos or Winnie the Pooh to be the big winners.

Best Character Design

Incredibles 2 (RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp)
Mary Poppins Returns (Thomas)
Next Gen
Ralph Breaks the Internet (RU:Peter)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, RU:Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: The creativity of Spider-Man should easily triumph over the sequels on this list.
Peter J. Patrick: Could be any of the nominees, but I’ll go with Spidey over Ralph.
Tripp Burton: I have no idea, but I’ll keep betting on Spider-Man.

Best Directing

Early Man – Nick Park
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – Genndy Tartakovsky
Incredibles 2 – Brad Bird (RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Ralph Breaks the Internet – Rich Moore, Phil Johnston (RU:Peter)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Bob Perischetti, Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: Another possible win for Spider-Man, but watch out for animation legends Nick Park, Genndy Tartakovsky, Brad Bird, and Rich Moore, all of whom could take the newer directing trio down.
Peter J. Patrick: Once again, it’s Spidey over Ralph.
Tripp Burton: Again, I’m gonna keep guessing Spider-Man has a big night.

Best Music

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch – Danny Elfman, Tyler the Creator (RU:Wesley, RU:Thomas)
Early Man – Harry Gregson-Williams, Tom Howe
Incredibles 2 – Michael Giacchino (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
Ralph Breaks the Internet – Henry Jackman, Alan Menken, Phil Johnston, Tom MacDougall, Dan Reynolds (RU:Peter)
Smallfoot – Heitor Pereira, Karey Kirkpatrick, Wayne Kirkpatrick (RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: When in doubt, go Michael Giacchino. Though, this group loves Henry Jackman and Harry Gregson-Williams as well, though Danny Elfman is also a rather popular figure.
Peter J. Patrick: Let’s throw one to Incredibles 2.
Tripp Burton: Incredibles 2 had a great score, but don’t guess out the surprise musical Smallfoot.

Best Production Design

Early Man
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
Isle of Dogs (Peter, Tripp, RU:Wesley)
Mary Poppins Returns (Thomas)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: The sheer creativity of the comic-book-styled animation in Spider-ManPeter J. Patrick: I think Isle of Dogs beats Spidey on this one.
Tripp Burton: I’m guessing the detail of a Wes Andersen film does well here.