Not Another Oscars, Annual Annies Set for 31st Frame

A few weeks before the big one at the Kodak Theater, the International Animated Film Society will present its picks for the best in TV and film animation of 2003.

Hosted by Emmy- and Annie-nominated comic Steve Marmel, the 31st frame of the Annie Awards will take place at the Alex Theater in Glendale, Calif. on February 7th. Marmel will be joined by a supporting cast of presenters that includes: noted voice actors Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Alexander Gould, (the voice of Nemo in the worldwide phenom Finding Nemo) and Nancy Cartwright, (Bart Simpson in The Simpsons). Also scheduled to appear is Roy E. Disney, June Foray and a number of "surprise" celebrity guest presenters. A post-show celebration immediately follows the awards show.

The original awards of the animation industry, the Annie’s are well supported and attended by the studios and entertainment community and are seen as the pre-curser to the annual Oscar for animation.

The Annie Awards honor animation excellence across 22 categories including production design, character animation, effects animation, writing, music, directing, storyboarding and voice acting for both film and television productions. Entries submitted for consideration must be from productions that originally aired, were exhibited in an animation festival, or commercially released in their country of origin between January 1st and December 31st, 2003. Special juried awards for lifetime or special achievement will also be given.

This year, Pixar’s Finding Nemo leads with 12 feature nominations while Brother Bear from Walt Disney Pictures follows with seven.

Both are nominated for Outstanding Achievement in an animated theatrical feature as well as Looney Tunes: Back In Action from Warner Bros. Animation, Millennium Actress from Go Fish Pictures and The Triplets of Belleville from Les Armateurs (Sony Pictures Classics). For a complete listing of Annie Award nominations and further information, log onto www.asifa-hollywood.org

Tickets for the awards are $50 for the general public and $35 for ASIFA-Hollywood members. Tickets include admission to both pre- and post-show receptions offering the opportunity to mingle with top animation and entertainment industry professionals. For tickets and information on the 31st Annual Annie Awards, contact ASIFA-Hollywood at (818) 842-8330 or see asifa-hollywood.org.