‘Wreck-It Ralph’ Dominates 40th Annual Annie Awards

Earlier this evening, The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, held its 40th Annual Annie Awards at UCLA’s Royce Hall, in Los Angeles, CA. While addressing the myriad of technical issues for the awards show were well beyond the capabilities of Fix-It Felix Jr and his magic hammer, the clear winner of the night was Wreck-It Ralph from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The blockbuster took a total of five awards including Music in an Animated Feature Production (Henry Jackman, Skrillex, Adam Young, Matthew Thiessen, Jamie Houston, Yasushi Akimoto), Writing in an Animated Feature (Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee), Voice Acting in an Animated Feature (Alan Tudyk as King Candy), Directing in an Animated Feature (Rich Moore) and Best Animated Feature.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ short Paperman, directed by John Kahrs, also took its category of Best Animated Short Subject. Disney/Pixar’s Brave also picked up a couple of awards for Editorial in an Animated Feature (Nicholas C. Smith, A.C.E., Robert Grahamjones, A.C.E., David Suther) and Production Design in an Animated Feature (Steve Pilcher). Kristen Schaal also took the honors for Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production for her role as Mabel Pines in ‘Gravity Falls.’

Lastly, Jerome Platteaux, John Sigurdson, Ryan Hopkins, Raul Essig and Mark Chataway of Industrial Light & Magic were recognized for Animated Effects in a Live Action Film for Marvel’s The Avengers.

Juried awards honoring career achievement and exceptional contributions to animation were also awarded to Disney animator Mark Henn, one of three recognized with the Winsor McCay award, as selected by the ASIFA-Hollywood Board of Directors, for his career contributions to the art of animation. Additionally, Disney publicist and documentarian Howard Green received the June Foray Award for his significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation.