The Annie Awards are animation’s biggest event every year and is usually a great deal of fun to watch when it’s telecast. Three of the categories can be portents to Oscar glory, Animated Feature, Independent Animated Feature, and Animated Short Subject. Here are all of our thoughts on the races. (Editor’s Note: These awards have been shifted to 3/12/22. Will leave this post live and re-post closer to the event date)

ANNIE AWARDS

Best Animated Feature

Encanto (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Luca (RU:Peter)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Thomas, RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp)
Raya and the Last Dragon
Sing 2

Wesley Lovell: The big question is whether the Netflix title upsets the Disney/Pixar selection as it did with Klaus. It’s entirely possible, but Encanto is such an endearing film and has managed to enter the zeitgeist in a way The Mitchells vs. the Machines hasn’t, I’m leaning towards an Encanto victory, but only slightly.
Peter J. Patrick: Disney will surely win this one for Encanto with Disney-Pixar’s Luca, its closest rival.
Tripp Burton: This year has been The Mitchells vs. The Madrigals, and it could be that way down to Oscar night. In this case, the Annie’s tend to go beyond Disney a lot, and I’ll guess The Mitchells gain some ground.
Thomas LaTourette: Even though Raya and the Last Dragon has the most Annie Award nominations, I expect the top prize to go to Encanto, which seems to have become the favorite. In some ways I liked Pixar’s Luca better, but it never seemed to quite make a splash with audiences or critics. The Mitchells vs. the Machines has by far the most precursors, though not the Golden Globe. That may not mean much anymore, but it is still probably the biggest precursor out there. I expect Encanto to win.

Best Animated Feature – Independent

Belle (Tripp, Thomas, RU:Wesley, RU:Peter)
Flee (Wesley, Peter, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
Pomp the Cinephile
The Summit of the Gods

Wesley Lovell: Only one Oscar nominee is on this list and it’s Flee, which managed to stun with the first non-fiction nomination in the category at the Oscars. That alone may be enough to hand it the win. Belle is the only other title that could conceivably triumph, but I’d be taken aback if it did.
Peter J. Patrick: Flee, which is a triple Oscar nominee for Animated Feature, Documentary, and International Feature, should handily win this one with Belle its closest rival.
Tripp Burton: Flee would be the odds-on favorite here, but I’m not sure if the Annie’s are keen to give this to a documentary over a more traditional film.
Thomas LaTourette: Flee was much the better film, but Belle had flashier animation, so I could see it winning, though I would prefer it going the other way. Flee had simpler work but told a gripping story that kept the viewer engaged. The Summit of the Gods was more noted for its backgrounds than for the characters, which will hurt its chances of winning. I know nothing about the other two films. Belle had striking imagery, but it just felt long. I think it will win, but am hoping that Flee does.

Best Animated Short Subject

Bestia (Wesley, Tripp, Thomas)
Easter Eggs
MAALBEEK (RU:Tripp)
Night Bus (Peter, RU:Wesley, RU:Thomas)
Steakhouse (RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: Bestia is the only Oscar nominee on the list, so it should have an advantage, but this is a rather volatile category where surprises can sometimes happen. After that title, I’m not really sure which other short could win.
Peter J. Patrick: Pure guesswork on my part, but Night Bus wins the coin toss over Steakhouse.
Tripp Burton: Pure guess.
Thomas LaTourette: Bestia was nominated for the Oscars, so I will go for it to win, but I know little about the rest. I am choosing MAALBEEK as the runner up simply because it has the most interesting title.

Best Animated Special Production

For Auld Lang Syne (Peter, RU:Wesley)
Mum Is Pouring Rain (RU:Tripp)
Namoo (Wesley, Tripp, Thomas)
La Vie de Chateau (RU:Peter)
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (RU:Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: I will admit to not knowing anything about this batch and not having the slightest clue which will win. Namoo is the only title I remember hearing about prior to its nomination, so I’m giving it the edge. That’s just a wild guess, though.
Peter J. Patrick: Another guess with Auld Lang Syne taking the win over La Vie de Chateau.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: These were Oscar shortlisted, so perhaps one of them will win. I know nothing about any of them.

Best Character Animation, Animated Feature

The Boss Baby: Family Reunion
Encanto (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
Luca (RU:Peter, RU:Thomas)
Raya and the Last Dragon (RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp)
Wish Dragon

Wesley Lovell: The most creative characters often win out here and with each character in the film having different personalities based on their powers, I could see ASIFA Hollywood giving that film the win. That said, Raya and the Last Dragon had a lot of unique character animations, so that one’s also a possibility. Then again, anything can happen here.
Peter J. Patrick: Encanto has lots of nicely defined characters making it a safe bet over Luca.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: I don’t know if Encanto will sweep, as sometimes the Annies are biased against Disney films, but it feels like the likely winner.

Best Character Animation, Live Action Feature

Flora & Ulysses
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Peter, Tripp, RU:Wesley, RU:Thomas)
The Suicide Squad (Wesley, Thomas, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp)
The Tomorrow War
Y: The Last Man

Wesley Lovell: For diversity of characters, Shang-Chi and The Suicide Squad seem like the most broad and potentially accessible of the nominees. I land on Suicide Squad because of it has more main characters that are animated than Shang-Chi does.
Peter J. Patrick: I’m sensing that the strong animation in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will win this over The Suicide Squad.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: Shang-Chi felt like it had the better integrated effects, so I think it will win.

Best Character Design

Luca (Peter)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Thomas, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp)
Raya and the Last Dragon (Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Ron’s Gone Wrong (RU:Wesley)
Vivo (Wesley)

Wesley Lovell: If character animation isn’t a category with a history of bountiful selections, this category is even more so eccentric. The most interesting designs often win this one, which is why I’ve gone with Vivo for the sheer diversity of characters that needed design, mostly animals. Mitchells and Luca didn’t have a lot of variety, but Raya and the Last Dragon did as well. That said, I’m going out on a limb for both my pick and the runner-up because the number of unique personalities that needed to be given to the characters in Ron’s Gone Wrong could make it a surprise winner.
Peter J. Patrick: With no Encanto here, I’d say Luca and The Mitchells vs. the Machines will battle it out for the win with Luca having a slight edge.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: This feels like a place like Raya could win.

Best Animated Effects

Belle (RU:Tripp)
Encanto (Peter, Thomas)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Tripp, RU:Wesley, RU:Peter)
Raya and the Last Dragon (Wesley, RU:Thomas)
Vivo

Wesley Lovell: A category built on unique and bountiful effects. The film with the most in that regard are Encanto and The Mitchells vs. the Machines. Once again, I’m going with the one with the most stunning, rich, and diverse effects designs to win.
Peter J. Patrick: Encanto unless they think it’s winning too many awards, then The Mitchells vs. the Machines.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: Belle or The Mitchells vs. the Machines might best Encanto here.

Best Storyboarding

The Addams Family 2
Encanto (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
Raya and the Last Dragon (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Spirit Untamed
Vivo

Wesley Lovell: Having not seen the storyboards for this category, it’s hard to come to a firm conclusion. I think the voters typically go for Disney/Pixar because of the sheer number of storyboard artists they employ. And since Encanto is the most popular of those choices, I’ll lean in that direction, but wouldn’t be surprised to see something else win.
Peter J. Patrick: I’d say Encanto unless they want to give something to Raya and the Last Dragon.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: Encanto feels like the likely winner here as well.

Best Directing

Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith – Encanto (Peter, Tripp, RU:Wesley)
Enrico Casarosa – Luca (RU:Peter)
Mamoru Hosoda – Belle
Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Kenneth Ladekjaer – Flee (RU:Thomas)
Mike Rianda, Jeff Rowe – The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Wesley, Thomas, RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: While I see Encanto winning out in the top category, I think Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe had more to do in terms of directorial flow with The Mitchells vs. the Machines, so I’m going with them over the trio from Encanto.
Peter J. Patrick: Easily Encanto‘s to lose, in which case I’d say Luca has a chance.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: I will go with Encanto to win here as well.

Best Voice Acting

Stephanie Beatriz – Encanto (Wesley, Peter)
Jack Dylan Grazer – Luca (RU:Peter)
Abbi Jacobson – The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Thomas, RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp)
John Leguizamo – Encanto (Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Kelly Marie Tran – Raya and the Last Dragon

Wesley Lovell: This category has yielded many surprises in the past and the most famous name on the list doesn’t always win. I remain surprised that John Leguizamo was nominated considering there’s not much to his character in the film, but Stephanie Beatriz has a lot to do including singing and voice acting, which is more than any of the others have to do. Abbi Jacobson could also surprise with a win.
Peter J. Patrick: The girl from Encanto would seem to have the edge over the boy from Luca for this one.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: They often seem to go for the more over the top performance, so I will go with John Leguizamo.

Best Writing

Belle
Flee (Tripp, Thomas, RU:Peter)
Luca (Peter, RU:Wesley)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Wesley, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Raya and the Last Dragon

Wesley Lovell: This is a tough choice, but with Encanto out of the picture, the way is cleared for The Mitchells vs. the Machines, which has such an intense, broad, and intricate story that I can’t imagine the other more traditional narratives winning out.
Peter J. Patrick: This is a tough one. I’d say Luca with Flee a possible upset.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: Flee would be a deserving winner, though they may like a more traditional film like The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

Best Music

Encanto (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
Luca (RU:Peter, RU:Tripp)
Poupelle of Chimney Town
Raya and the Last Dragon
Vivo (RU:Wesley, RU:Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: I often go with the Oscar nominee for this list and we have one this year in Encanto. I don’t see many scenarios in which it loses to these other scores.
Peter J. Patrick: Surely Encanto will win this one with Luca at the top of the line in runners-up.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: With Encanto scoring an Oscar nom, it seems the likely winner, though the charming Luca could surprise.

Best Editing

Encanto (Peter, Tripp, RU:Wesley)
Flee (Thomas, RU:Peter)
Luca
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Wesley, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Raya and the Last Dragon

Wesley Lovell: One doesn’t often think of editing as a crucial element of animated filmmaking, but it is. As such, keeping a complex story going is definitely tough work and The Mitchells vs. the Machines is probably the most complex to cut, especially with all those action sequences that none of the other nominees have in much abundance.
Peter J. Patrick: Likely Encanto, but triple-threat Flee could easily pull an upset here.
Tripp Burton: (no commentary provided)
Thomas LaTourette: The Mitchells vs. the Machines is flashier and could win. I am just thinking that the popular Encanto may win.