The woman who was named Hollywood’s highest grossing female director, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, can add another honor-notch to her belt: She was named Best Director at last week’s Annie Awards, which honors achievements in animated films. Rango won Best Picture, and if you thought that this is where The Adventures of Tintin would catch a break … you were mostly right.
The Annies, the ceremony of which was hosted by Patton Oswalt this year, recognizes animation in fully animated movies, live-action movies with animated special effects, and animated TV shows. And that makes for a pretty well-rounded set of movies to be recognized.
And this year, the Annie for Best Directing in a Feature Production went to Jennifer Yuh Nelson for Kung Fu Panda 2! While we have no real attachment or opinion about the movie, it’s always exciting to see a female director honored for her work. What’s a bit disappointing is that she was the only woman nominated for directing — out of 18 total nominees (for movies and television). But still, she beat out all of them … and we might have to try to see Kung Fu Panda 2. Maybe even the first one. And Rango, for that matter.
Also worth mentioning for women’s achievements in animation: Carolyn Omine won for Best Writing in a Television Production for writing “Treehouse of Horror XXII” for The Simpsons. The Simpsons also took home Best Directing in a Television Production for Matthew Nastuk and Best General Audience Animated Television Production.
As for Tintin, at least it was nominated for Best Animated Feature rather than being completely ignored for being stop motion animation like it was for the Oscars. While it was beat out by Rango for the top honor, it did take home two awards: Kevin Romond won the award for Individual Achievement in Animated Effects for an Animated Production, and John Williams won for his score. Williams is nominated for an Oscar for Tintin, as well as for War Horse.
It’s nice to know that the animation industry knows that stop motion animation is still animation, though. Congratulations to all the winners!
(via The Hollywood Reporter)
