Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design graduates nominated for Annie Awards

Three Sheridan alumni have been nominated for the 51st Annual Annie Awards, recognition that builds on the legacy of success Sheridan has had at the prestigious accolades.
The Annie Awards, which serve as the top distinction in the animation industry, will be presented by the International Film Society (ASIFA – Hollywood) at a ceremony in Los Angeles on February 17, 2024.

This year’s nominees include Mike Beaulieu (Animation ’00), who has been recognized in the category of Best Character Animation - Live Action for the Disney+ series Ahsoka. Beaulieu is no stranger to the Annies: he also received nominations in 2013 and 2021. Also nominated this year is alumnus Nikolas Ilic (Bachelor of Animation ’11) for Best Character Design – Feature, for his work on the Amazon Prime Video feature Merry Little Batman.

Former Bachelor of Illustration student Patrick O'Keefe received a nod in the category of Best Production Design – Feature for his work on the box-office smash Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Graduates also worked Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Shape Island, nominated for Best Character Animation – Video Game and Best TV/Media – Children, respectively. 

“The Annies are the highest honour in the animation industry, so to see our graduates’ hard work receive these nominations is a testament to the exemplary education Sheridan’s Animation and Illustration programs have been known for over many decades,” says Mark Jones, Dean of the Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design. “Our alumni successes are also incredibly inspiring for the current students in our programs as they look forward to their own careers.”

Sheridan alumni have brought home numerous Annies in previous years. In 2021, Trevor Jimenez (Animation ’07) won for Best Storyboarding in a Feature category for his work on Disney/Pixar’s Soul. Alumnus Dean DeBlois (Animation ’90) also took home a top Annie award, winning Best Animated Feature and Outstanding Achievement – Directing, for his film How to Train Your Dragon 2. Sheridan students have also had success winning Annies. In 2020, The Fox & The Pigeon won Best Student Film.

Award-winning alumni from the Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design also have a long history of success at the Annies, as well as at other top awards competitions, including the Oscars, Emmys, and the Canadian Screen Awards.