The animation industry’s biggest night is officially taking shape. The 2026 Annie Awards nominations have been unveiled, spotlighting a year defined by creative ambition, technical innovation, and bold storytelling across film, television, and emerging media. Presented by ASIFA-Hollywood, the Annies remain the highest honor in animation. And this year’s slate reflects an industry operating at the height of its artistic power.
Leading the film nominations are Elio of Pixar Animation Studios and KPop Demon Hunters of Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix, each earning an impressive ten nods, including Best Feature. The two visually striking projects will face formidable competition in the top category from Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Zootopia 2, and The Bad Guys 2. Highlighting the diversity of tone and style shaping contemporary animated cinema from introspective storytelling to franchise-driven spectacle.
Beyond the marquee titles, films like Arco secured five nominations, while The Twits and Scarlet earned three each, highlighting the Annie Awards’ continued commitment to recognizing both mainstream and independent excellence.
On the television side, Win or Lose emerged as a dominant force with six nominations, reaffirming Pixar’s expanding influence in serialized storytelling. Close behind are Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight with five nods and Common Side Effects, signaling a strong year for animation that pushes narrative boundaries across age groups and formats. From preschool programming to mature, genre-defying series, the TV categories reflect animation’s growing role as a primary storytelling medium rather than a niche genre.
In addition to competitive awards, the Annies will honor industry legends and changemakers through a series of juried awards celebrating lifetime achievement and innovation. The prestigious Windsor McCay Award will be presented to Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, whose work has reshaped modern animation, alongside acclaimed animator Michaël Dudok de Wit and writer-director Chris Sanders. The June Foray Award will recognize producer Sandy Rabins for her humanitarian leadership through AnimAID, supporting animation professionals affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Technical excellence will also take center stage, with the Ub Iwerks Award being presented to Wacom for its groundbreaking contributions to animation technology—tools that have become indispensable across studios worldwide. Meanwhile, LightBox Expo will receive a Special Achievement Award for its vital role in uniting filmmakers, students, and fans into one of the industry’s most influential creative communities.
Set to take place on February 21st, 2026 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, the 53rd Annie Awards promise to be both a celebration and a statement—honoring not just the year’s best work, but the people, tools, and ideas pushing animation forward. As the industry continues to evolve across platforms and audiences, this year’s nominations affirm one undeniable truth: animation is not only thriving—it is leading the future of storytelling.
