It was an evening few in attendance will forget at tonights 52st Annual Annie Awards, held in tribute to victims of last months horrific and tragic Los Angeles wildfires. Though not one but two separate false fire alarms temporarily halted the Royce Hall festivities, nothing could impede the tremendous awards season trajectory of DreamWorks Animation and Chris Sanders blockbuster, The Wild Robot, which took home nine Annie Awards, followed closely by Netflix and Riot Games fan favorite series, Arcane, which took home seven.The evening was also marked by several tributes and shout outs to the brave men and women of the LA Fire Department, first responders in most every emergency that happen across the expansive, sprawling SoCal landscape that more than 23 million people call home.Actor Steve Buscemi, a former member of the FDNY, started the evening off, joined at the podium by LA firefighter Brian McGrath. Later, ASIFA-Hollywoodannounced a special fundraising campaign,AnimAID, that was created in collaboration with industry co-workers and animation studios, to provide financial support for those in the animation community who have suffered tremendous losses during recent LA fires. AnimAID also plans to also partner with Sotheby's this spring for a prestigious online auction of animation art, followed by other events to come. Info on AnimAID and the code for making tax-deductible donations can be found here: https://www.asifa-hollywood.org/animaid-donate/.The Annie Awards cover 32 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Feature-Independent, Special Productions, Sponsored Films, Short Subjects, Student Films and Outstanding Individual Achievements, as well as the honorary Juried Awards. The Winsor McCay Award in recognition of lifetime or career contributions was presented to three recipients: Aaron Blaise, Eunice Macaulay, and Normand Roger.The June Foray Award for significant and benevolent or charitable impact wasawarded to Women in Animation.The Ub Iwerks Award for technical advancement affecting the animation industry was presented to Alberto Menache, who dryly noted that when he first started developing motion capture, many referred to it as "The Devil's Rotoscope." The Special Achievement Award recognizing unique and outstanding achievement not recognized within the existing award category structure waspresented to a new book recognizing pioneering Disney directors: "Directing at Disney: The Original Directors of Walts Animated Films."ASIFA-Hollywood is the worlds first and foremost professional organization dedicated to promoting the Art of Animation and celebrating the people who create it. Today, ASIFA-Hollywood, the largest chapter of the international organization ASIFA, supports a range of animation activities and preservation efforts through its membership. Current initiatives include the Animation Archive, Animation Aid Foundation, animated film preservation, animation open source support, special events, classes and screenings.Created in 1972 by veteran voice talent June Foray, the Annie Awards have grown in scope and stature for the past four decades.Congratulations to all the nominees and winners for yet another inspiring year of animated programming. The complete list of the evenings nominees and winners is as follows:Best FeatureInside Out 2- Pixar Animation StudiosKung Fu Panda 4- DreamWorks AnimationThat Christmas- Locksmith Animation for NetflixThe Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation (winner)Ultraman: Rising- Netflix Presents in association with Tsuburaya ProductionsWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Aardman and NetflixBest Feature-IndependentChicken for Linda!- Dolce Vita Films, Miyu Productions, Palosanto Films, France 3 Cinma, Distributed by GKIDSFlow- Sacrebleu Productions, Take Five, Dream Well Studio(winner)Kensukes Kingdom- Paramount PicturesLook Back- Studio Durian Distributed by GKIDSMars Express- Everybody on Deck, Je Suis Bien Content Distributed by GKIDSMemoir of a Snail- Snails Pace Films / ArenamediaBest Special ProductionA Bear Named Wojtek- The Illuminated Film Company and FilmografMogs Christmas- Lupus FilmsOrion and the Dark- DreamWorks Animation(winner)Tabby McTat- Magic Light PicturesYuck!- Ikki Films & Iliade et FilmsBest Short SubjectBeautiful Men- Animal Tank, Miyu Productions & Ka-Ching CartoonsIn the Shadow of the Cypress- Barfak Animation StudioRuthless Blade- IDEOMOTOR Culture Media Co., Ltd.The Swineherd- Fleng Entertainment and Tumblehead ProductionsWander to Wonder- Circe Films, Kaap Holland Film, Les Productions de Milou, Beast Animation, Blink Industries & Pictanovo(winner)Best Sponsoredfeelslikeimfallinginlove- BlinkinkFuzzy Feelings- Passion Pictures Hungry Man(winner)Moonlit Bamboo Forest- Passion Paris Production, HoYoFairNatlan Impressions Trailer, Blaze to Natlan - BUCKWelcome to the City of Love- Nexus StudiosBest TV/Media - PreschoolDisney Jr.s Ariel, Episode: Crystal Cavern Caper - Wild Canary, Disney Branded TelevisionGabbys Dollhouse, Episode: Pandys Bad Day - DreamWorks AnimationJessicas Big Little World, Episode: Jessicas Picnic - Cartoon Network StudiosThe Tiny Chef Show, Episode: Tiny Chefs Spooky Stump Spectacular - Imagine Entertainment, Tiny Chef Productions and Nickelodeon Productions(winner)Wonder Pets: In the City, Episode: Save Tate? - A Nickelodeon Production in association with AppleBest TV/Media - ChildrenGremlins: The Wild Batch, Episode: Never Use Double Negatives - Warner Bros. AnimationJurassic World: Chaos Theory, Episode: Batten Down the Hatches - DreamWorks AnimationMarvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Episode: The Molecular Level - Flying Bark Productions, Disney Television Animation, Disney Branded Television(winner)Primos, Episode: Summer of Tater Luna - Disney Television Animation, Disney Branded TelevisionWondLa, Episode: Ruins - Skydance Animation in association with AppleBest TV/Media - MatureBobs Burgers, Episode: They Slug Horses, Dont They? - 20th Television Animation(winner)Solar Opposites, Episode: The What If?! Device - 20th Television AnimationSouth Park, Episode: The End of Obesity - MTV Entertainment StudiosThe Great North, Episode: Aunt Misbehavin Adventure - 20th Television AnimationThe Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, Episode: The Land of Sex and Death - Amazon MGM Studios, Titmouse StudiosBest TV/Media - Limited SeriesDream Productions, Episode: A Night to Remember - Pixar Animation Studios(winner)Iwj, Episode: Tola - Walt Disney Animation StudiosLego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, Episode: Part Three - Lucasfilm Ltd.Moon Girls Lab, Episode: Moon Girl Saves the Moon - Disney Television Animation, Disney Branded TelevisionMy Adventures with Superman, Episode: Pierce the Heavens, Superman! - Warner Bros. AnimationBest Student FilmAdis- Student Director: Jos Prats; Student Producer: Bernardo Angeletti; School: National Film and Television School(winner)El Ombligo de la Luna olaj- Student Directors: Sara Antnio, Julia Grupiska, Bokang Koatja, Tian Westraad, Ezequiel Garibay; School: GobelinsPear Garden- Student Director/Producer: Shadab Shayegan; School: Filmakademie Baden-Wrttemberg GmbH, AnimationsinstitutPolliwog- Student Director: Julia Skala; Student Producer: Max Pollmann; School: Filmakademie Baden-Wrttemberg GmbH, AnimationsinstitutTurmspringer- Student Director: Oscar Bittner; Student Producer: Andra Berila; School: Filmakademie Baden-Wrttemberg GmbH, AnimationsinstitutBest FX - TV/MediaArcane, Episode: The Dirt Under Your Nails - Production Company: A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix, FX Production Company: Fortiche Studio - Guillaume Degroote, Aurlien Ressencourt, Adam Bachiri, Guillaume Zaouche, Jrme Dupr(winner)Dream Productions, Episode: A Night to Remember - Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios, FX Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios - Gary Bruins, Jongwon Pak, Arturo Aguilar, Alan Browning, Alen LaiSecret Level, Episode: Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear - Production Company: Amazon MGM Studios, Blur Studio Inc., FX Production Company: Blur Studio Inc. - Josh Schwartz, Joe Coleman, Michael Huang, Guilherme Casagrandi, Raul RodriguesSecret Level, Episode: Dungeons & Dragons: The Queen's Cradle - Production Company: Amazon MGM Studios, Blur Studio Inc., FX Production Company: Blur Studio Inc. - Arthur Loiseau, Tom OBready, Esteban Genre, Alexandre Lerouge, Guillaume GrelierSecret Level, Episode: Crossfire: Good Conflict - Production Company: Amazon MGM Studios, Blur Studio Inc., FX Production Company: Blur Studio Inc. - Kamil Murzyn, Rafa Rumiski, Jarosaw Armata, Micha led, Micha FirekBest FX - FeatureKung Fu Panda 4- Production Company: DreamWorks Animation, - FX Production Company: DreamWorks Animation - Zachary Glynn, Alex Timchenko, Kiem Ching Ong, Yorie Kaela Kumalasari, Jinguang HuangMoana 2- Production Company: Walt Disney Animation Studios - FX Production Company: Walt Disney Animation Studios - Santiago Robles, Marc Bryant, Deborah Carlson, Jake Rice, Ian J. CoonyThe Wild Robot- Production Company: DreamWorks Animation - FX Production Company: DreamWorks Animation - Derek Cheung, Michael Losure, David Chow, Nyoung Kim, Steve Avoujageli(winner)Ultraman: Rising- Production Company: Netflix Animation - FX Production Company: Industrial Light & Magic - Goncalo Cabaca, Vishal Patel, Zheng Yong Oh, Nicholas Yoon Joo Kuang, Pei- Zhi HuangWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Production Company: Aardman and Netflix - FX Production Company: Aardman Production - Howard Jones, Rich Spence, Deborah Jane Price, Jon Biggins, Kirstie DeaneBest Character Animation - TV/MediaArcane, Episodes: Killing Is A Cycle, Heavy Is the Crown, Finally Got the Name Right, The Message Hidden Within the Pattern, The Dirt Under Your Nails, Pretend Like Its the First Time, Blisters and Bedrock - A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix - Tom Gouill(winner)Dream Productions, Episodes: The Dream Team, Out of Body, Romance! - Pixar Animation Studios - Travis HathawayIn the Know, Episodes: Yogurt Week, Thinksgiving - Peacock Original in association with Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, Bandera, ShadowMachine - Jeff RileyStar Trek: Lower Decks, Episodes: Various - CBSs Eye Animation Productions, Titmouse; Secret Hideout; and Roddenberry Entertainment - Raymond DunsterThe Patrick Star Show, Episode: Something Stupid This Way Comes - Screen Novelties / Nickelodeon Animation Studios - Colin LepperBest Character Animation - FeatureInside Out 2- Pixar Animation Studios - Aviv ManoKung Fu Panda 4- DreamWorks Animation - Patrick GuisianoMoana 2- Walt Disney Animation Studios - Brian ScottThe Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Fabio Lignini(winner)Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Aardman and Netflix - Carmen Bromfield MasonBest Character Animation - Live ActionBetter Man- Production Company: Footloose Productions, VicScreen, Partizan, Facing East Entertainment, Rocket Science, Lost Bandits - FX Production Company: Wt FX - Shaun Freeman, Luisma Lavin Peredo, Carlos Lin, Seoungseok Charlie Kim, Kaori MiyazawaGladiator II- Production Company: Paramount - FX Production Company: Framestore LTD - Kyle Dunlevy, Philipp Winterstein, Gil Daniel, Michael Elder, Julien BagoryGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire- Production Company: Legendary Entertainment - FX Production Company: Wt FX - Ludovic Chailloleau, Jonathan Paquin, Craig Penn, Florian Fernandez, Marco BarbatiHouse of the Dragon Season 2- Production Company: Warner Bros - FX Production Company: Wt FX - Jason Snyman, Manjoe Chan, Chloe McLean, Cedric Enriquez Canlas, Vincent LeeKingdom of the Planet of the Apes- Production Company: 20th Century Studios - FX Production Company: Wt FX - Christian Kickenweitz, Aidan Martin, Allison Orr, Radiya Alam, Howard Sly(winner)Best Character Animation - Video Game#BLUD- Exit 73 Games, LLC. - Chris Burns, Bob FoxAsgard's Wrath 2- Sanzaru Games - Sanzaru Games Animation TeamDiesel Legacy- Maximum Entertainment - Maximum EntertainmentNeva- Nomada Studio - Nomada Studio Animation Team(winner)Senua's Saga: Hellblade II- Ninja Theory - Ninja TheoryBest Character Design - TV/MediaDream Productions, Episode: A Night to Remember - Pixar Animation Studios - Grant AlexanderJentry Chau vs. the Underworld, Episode: Pilot - A Netflix Series - Kal AthannassovMarvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Episode: The Molecular Level - Disney Television Animation, Cinema Gypsy Productions - Jose Lopez(winner)Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Episode: Bishop Makes Her Move! - Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Point / Grey Pictures - Rustam HasanovX-Men '97, Episode: Mutant Liberation Begins - Marvel Studios - Amelia VidalBest Character Design - FeatureInside Out 2- Pixar Animation Studios - Deanna MarsiglieseScarygirl- Highly Spirited and Like A Photon Creative - Nathan JureviciusSpellbound- Netflix Presents / Skydance Animation Presents a Skydance Animation Film - Guillermo RamreThat Christmas- Locksmith Animation for Netflix - Uwe HeidschtterThe Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Genevieve Tsai(winner)Best Direction - TV/MediaArcane, Episode: The Dirt Under Your Nails - A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix - Arnaud Delord, Pascal Charrue, Bart Maunoury(winner)Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation, Television Movie - Disney Television Animation, Disney Branded Television - Anna OBrianBob's Burgers, Episode: They Slug Horses, Don't They? - 20th Television Animation - Bernard DerrimanTabby McTat, Television Movie - Magic Light Pictures - Jac Hamman, Sarah ScrimgeourTales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Episode: The Pearl - Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Point / Grey Pictures - Alan Wan, Colin HeckBest Direction - FeatureChicken for Linda!- Dolce Vita Films, Miyu Productions, Palosanto Films, France 3 Cinma / Distributed by GKIDS - Chiara Malta, Sbastien LaudenbachFlow- Take Five, Sacrebleu Productions, Dream Well Studio - Gints ZilbalodisThat Christmas- Locksmith Animation for Netflix - Simon OttoThe Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Chris Sanders(winner)Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Aardman and Netflix - Nick Park, Merlin CrossinghamBest Music - TV/MediaArcane, Episode: The Dirt Under Your Nails - A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix - Ryan Jillian Santiago, Alexander Seaver, Simon Wilcox(winner)Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation, Television Movie - Disney Television Animation, Disney Branded Television - Joachim HorsleyHazbin Hotel, Episode: Masquerade - Amazon MGM Studios, A24, Bento Box Entertainment - Sam Haft, Andrew UnderbergJentry Chau vs. the Underworld, Episode: Lock-In - A Netflix Series - Brian H. KimWondLa, Episode: Captive - Skydance Animation in association with Apple - Joy NgiawBest Music - FeatureKensuke's Kingdom- Lupus Films - Stuart HancockPiece by Piece- i am OTHER, TREMOLO in association with The LEGO Group, Pure Imagination Studios and Tongal - Pharrell Williams, Michael AndrewsThat Christmas- Locksmith Animation for Netflix - John Powell, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaidThe Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Kris Bowers(winner)Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Aardman and Netflix - Lorne Balfe, Julian NottBest Production Design - TV/MediaArcane, Episode: The Dirt Under Your Nails - A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix - Arnaud-Loris Baudry, Julien Georgel, Faustine Dumontier, Charlotte ONeil(winner)Dream Productions, Episode: The Dream Team - Pixar Animation Studios - Bert Berry, Josh HoltsclawOrion and the Dark, Special Production - DreamWorks Animation - Timothy Lamb, Christine BianSilly Sundays, Episode: Stringy Soup - Cartoon Saloon - Fran Bravo, Rosa Ballester CaboWondLa, Episode: Bargain - Skydance Animation in association with Apple - Andy HarknessBest Production Design - FeatureInside Out 2- Pixar Animation Studios - Jason Deamer, Josh West, Keiko Murayama, Bill Zahn, Laura MeyerThat Christmas- Locksmith Animation for Netflix - Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn, Mike RedmanThe Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Raymond Zibach, Ritchie Sacilioc(winner)Ultraman: Rising- Netflix Presents in association with Tsuburaya Productions - The Ultraman: Rising Production Design TeamWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Aardman and Netflix - Matt Perry, Darren Dubicki, Richard Edmunds, Matt Sanders, Gavin LinesBest Storyboarding - TV/MediaArcane, Episode: Killing is a Cycle - A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix - Josphine Meis(winner)Invincible Fight Girl, Episode: The Way of The World - Cartoon Network Studios - Gladyfaith Abcede, Miki Brewster, Kaela Lash, Sheldon VellaJurassic World: Chaos Theory, Episode: That Night - DreamWorks Animation - Aevery HuensSnoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin, Short Film - WildBrain Studios in association with Apple - David LuxTales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Episode: The Pearl - Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Point / Grey Pictures - Laura Gille, Sebrina Gao, Kevin Molina-OrtizBest Storyboarding - FeatureDespicable Me 4- Illumination - Habib Louati(winner)Moana 2- Walt Disney Animation Studios - Ryan GreenSaving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie- Nickelodeon Animation - Piero PilusoSpellbound- Netflix Presents / Skydance Animation Presents a Skydance Animation Film - Alex Relloso Horna, Carlos Zapater OlivaThat Christmas- Locksmith Animation for Netflix - Ashley Boddy, Lorenzo Fresta, Helen SchroederBest Voice Acting - TV/MediaBob's Burgers, Episode: The Right Tough Stuff - 20th Television Animation - John Roberts (Character: Linda Belcher)Bob's Burgers, Episode: They Slug Horses, Don't They? - 20th Television Animation - Kristen Schaal (Character: Louise Belcher)Dream Productions, Episode: Out of Body - Pixar Animation Studios - Paula Pell (Character: Paula)(winner)Hazbin Hotel, Episode: Dad Beat Dad - Amazon MGM Studios, A24, Bento Box Entertainment - Jeremy Jordan (Character: Lucifer)Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Episode: Splinter and April Fight a Goldfish - Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Point / Grey Pictures - Ayo Edebiri (Character: April O'Neil)Best Voice Acting - FeatureChicken for Linda!- Dolce Vita Films, Miyu Productions, Palosanto Films, France 3 Cinma / Distributed by GKIDS - Mline Leclerc (Character: Linda)Inside Out 2- Pixar Animation Studios - Maya Hawke (Character: Anxiety)The Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Lupita Nyong'o (Character: Roz)(winner)The Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Kit Connor (Character: Brightbill)Transformers One- Paramount Animation - Brian Tyree Henry (Character: D-16 / Megatron)Best Writing - TV/MediaCraig of the Creek, Episode: Whose Dimension Is It Anyway? - Cartoon Network Studios - Harron Atkins, Lorraine DeGraffenreidt, Pearl Low, Richie PopeJessica's Big Little World, Episode: Jessica's Picnic - Cartoon Network Studios - Austin Faber, Gabriel Franklin, Shawne Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs, Ashleigh HairstonOrion and the Dark, Special Production - DreamWorks Animation - Charlie Kaufman(winner)The Simpsons, Episode: Bart's Birthday - A Gracie Films Production in Association with 20th Television Animation - Jessica ConradYuck!, Special Production - Ikki Films & Iliade et Films - Loc EspucheBest Writing - FeatureFlow- Take Five, Sacrebleu Productions, Dream Well Studio - Gints Zilbalodis, Matss Kaa(winner)Inside Out 2- Pixar Animation Studios - Meg LeFauve, Dave HolsteinKensuke's Kingdom- Paramount Pictures - Frank Cottrell-BoyceMemoir of a Snail- Snails Pace Films / Arenamedia - Adam ElliotBest Editorial - TV/MediaArcane, Episode: Pretend Like It's the First Time - A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix - Nazim Meslem, Gilad Carmel, Roberto Fernandez(winner)Creature Commandos, Episode: Cheers to the Tin Man - Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios / - Annie De BrockJurassic World: Chaos Theory, Episode: Batten Down the Hatches - DreamWorks Animation - Ben Choo, Rich Liverance, Eric Hendricks, Anna Adams, Ian HurleyMarvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Episode: The Molecular Level - Disney Television Animation, Cinema Gypsy Productions - Sandra Powers, Phil Lomboy, Ryan Burkhard, Neil Wilson III, Gabriel GelbrechtTales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Episode: The Pearl - Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Point / Grey Pictures - Caleb YoderBest Editorial - FeatureInside Out 2- Pixar Animation Studios - Maurissa Horwitz, David Suther, Fiona Toth, Jonathan VargoMoana 2- Walt Disney Animation Studios - Jeremy Milton, Michael Louis HillThe Wild Robot- DreamWorks Animation - Mary Blee, Collin Erker, Orlando Duenas, Lucie Lyon, Brian Parker(winner)Ultraman: Rising- Netflix Presents in association with Tsuburaya Productions - Bret Marnell, ACE, William Max Steinberg, Nik Siefke, Ryan Sommer, Kaye SpeareWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Aardman and Netflix - Dan HemberySource: ASIFA-Hollywood Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.