Eight Sheridan grads nominated for top animation awards

Alumni of Sheridan College’s prestigious Animation programs are among those nominated for the 46^th Annual Annie Awards.

The awards, which recognize excellence in animation in the screen industries, will be handed out by the International Film Society (ASIFA – Hollywood) at a gala in Los Angeles, Calif. on Feb. 2, 2019.

This year’s nominations were announced as Sheridan celebrates the 50^th anniversary of its Animation program. Graduates of the program, which launched in 1968, have gone on to earn international acclaim, producing some of the most beloved characters on screens big and small. Last year, alumnus John Chun Chiu Lee (Computer Animation ’02) received an Annie Award for his work on the acclaimed Pixar feature Coco.

“We are so proud to congratulate our alumni on their Annie Award nominations and look forward to following their success in the months ahead,” says Angela Stukator, Associate Dean of Animation and Game Design at Sheridan. “The high-calibre work that Sheridan’s Animation grads have produced over the past 50 years is a testament to the strength of the program and its ability to adapt to industry trends over the years.” 

Sheridan alumni nominated this year include:

• In the category of Best Character Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production, Jim Bryson (Animation ’01) was nominated for Niko and the Sword of Light and Chris Mitchell (Computer Animation ‘96) was nominated for The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
• Trevor Jimenez (Bachelor of Animation ’07) for Best Animated Short Subject for Weekends.
• Eric Lacroix (Computer Animation ’07) in the category of Best Animated Effects in an Animated Feature Production for Incredibles 2.
• In the category of Best Character Animation in a Live Action Production, Richard Oey (Computer Animation ’01) is nominated for his work on The Nutcracker and the Four Realms and Chris Sauve (Classical Animation ’87) is nominated for his work on Mary Poppins Returns.
• Marceline Tanguay (Bachelor of Animation ’08) for her work as a character designer on Next Gen. The series has been nominated for the Best Character Design in an Animated Feature Production category.
• Ami Thompson (Bachelor Animation ’13) is nominated for her work in Ralph Breaks the Internet in the Best Character Design in an Animated Feature Program category.

Sheridan grads worked on all five films nominated for Best Animated Feature. The films include: Early Man, Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Over a dozen alumni worked on Hilda – Chapter 1: The Hidden People, which was nominated for Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Children. Elsewhere in that category, Sheridan grads lent their talents to Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny; Enter the Dragon Master and Little Big Awesome: Puppy Shower.

Several alumni also worked on Ask the StoryBots – How do Computers Work, which is up for Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children.

Mary Poppins Returns, which features a team that includes several Sheridan alumni, is also nominated for Best Animated Special Production.

Sheridan’s animation programs include the Bachelor of Animation, computer animation, digital character animation and visual effects.