After almost four decades as a loyal sponsor, The Walt Disney Company has withdrawn from the Annie Awards and ASIFA, its parent organization.
Today’s announcement comes from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios President Ed Catmull: "We believe there is an issue with the way the Annies are judged, and have been seeking a mutually agreeable solution with the board."
Concerns arose due to ASIFA’s questionable policy; anyone can get a membership, and in turn, could skew the vote in what is meant to be a representation of the animation community’s views. In other words, the Annies are not truly an industry award because they can be easily bought out.
To avoid controversy, we won’t directly mention DreamWorks’ policies related to the Annies. This also means that we won’t be covering the 38th annual ceremony as it is unlikely that Toy Story 3 will be eligible to compete.
Should Disney/Pixar have withdrawn from the Annies?
(via Variety)
Last modified: August 25, 2010
Really surprised to hear this announcement, but I can understand perfectly well why they would want to withdraw… probably a good idea.
—Leirin
Whoa. This is crazy. I totally understand their decision, considering anyone can get membership, but it is so surprising! The most successful animation studio in the world suddenly no longer supports the animation industry’s major award ceremony and parent organization!
Well, when Kung Fu Panda stole all of WALL-E’s awards, I lost all respect for the ASIFA.
Kung Fu Panda did not “steal” all of Wall-e’s awards. Animation artists are very animation-centric. Not “film” centric. Pixar’s swept those awards numerous times. It’s a bigger problem than that.
ASIFA has always been a very loosely run organization—and in the Hollywood branch, particularly loose. The nomination and voting rules are extremely ill defined. And the ceremony itself has become less of a celebration of the art form than just another lame awards show. It’s very sad.
“Kung Fu Panda did not “steal” all of Wall-e’s awards. Animation artists are very animation-centric. Not “film” centric.”
Even Disney knows that the KFP controversy had a lot to do with DreamWorks sponsorship, thus this little change. It’s not hard to understand, don’t be ignorant.
Kung Fu Panda was solid, but the fact that it beat out Wall-E and even Waltz with Bashir on categories wherein they were clearly superior-with corresponding nominations on other film branches-definitely smells.
“Even Disney knows that the KFP controversy had a lot to do with DreamWorks sponsorship”
No—it started long before that. And Disney/Pixar is not the only studio complaining. Asifa has ALWAYS been a fly-by-night organization.
This is surprising and sad, but all the same, it doesn’t matter. Disney/Pixar and their movies still have high marks in my opinion and should win all of the awards they qualify for. I really can’t think of any other animated movies that stand out in my mind. So in the end, I think it’s great that Disney/Pixar are being the bigger person and agreeing that they don’t want to be part of a corrupted system.
I had no idea about this Annie award controversy, but now that I do…Hurray! Pixar didn’t lose after all! It wasn’t your fault Pixar; look at all your fans, you are the true winner. In reality, the last two Pixar films (especially Wall-E) would never be treated to such unfair tyranny that is the ASIFA. I originally thought it was run by kids (an interesting decision, but kids usually just love the funniest movie, which would explain Kung Fu Panda’s dominance). However, the nomination policy explains alot too
I think this is a good decision. At first I turned it over in my head and wondered if it was best. I then realised it was, and that I had wasted several minutes thinking about it. It gives me great pride to support Disney and Pixar especially when they make these kind of decisions. This also seems to be a decision made partially based upon the movies themselves, which makes me very happy.
Good. Whoever is in charge of the Annies is a greedy, selfish *****, and Disney and Pixar made the intelligent and responsible decision in leaving without comment.
The entertainment industry is extremely political, unfortunately. In regards to this, I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney/Pixar simply pulled out because they weren’t “winning enough awards”. Whatever the case is, it’s absolute bull….
@Mitch: You mean the Annies, not Disney, right?
Good.
After 2008, problems with the Annies I has. And I REALLY LIKED Kung Fu Panda. But a sweep? With WALL-E? I mean, even cartoon network pointed that mess up out.