The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced that the 48th Annie Awards ceremony will be held — either virtually or live — on April 16. The final decision on the show format will be made in the fall, in consideration of the pandemic.
As to rules, the eligibility requirements for best feature and best feature-independent categories were slightly revised due to the pandemic. The best animated feature category will recognize animated movies with a production budget over $40 million, with at least 60 percent of the budget financed via a major studio or corporation. To be eligible for that award, the film must have one public theatrical screening during 2020 in the U.S. or be screened in an Annie Award sanctioned international film festival such as Annecy.
The best animated feature-independent category doesn’t require a theatrical screening. To be eligible in that category, the film must have a production budget under $40 million, with 60 percent or more of the production budget financed via an independent studio or corporation.
Also this year, the virtual reality category has been eliminated. According to the rules, these projects may qualify in short subject or special production categories.
Here’s the schedule:
Jan. 4, 2021 Call for Entries
Feb. 1 Submissions deadline
March 3 Nominations announcement
March 29- April 9 Online balloting
April 16 Annie Awards ceremony