The Annie Awards return to UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, February 21, 2026 and VIP tickets for the 53rd ceremony are now on sale at https://www.annieawards.org/tickets.

VIP tickets are $325 each and admit guests to the pre- and post- receptions, beginning at 4:30 p.m., and to the ceremony at 6:30 p.m. All events will be held at Royce Hall. The last day to purchase tickets online is Friday, February 13, 2025. After this, if tickets are still available, they can be purchased through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310.825.2101.

Nominations and Juried award recipients will be announced on Monday January 5, 2026 @ 8 a.m. PT. The deadline to join or renew ASIFA-Hollywood membership and to register to participate in the 53^rdAnnie Award™ voting is Monday, January 26, 2026. The deadline to become an Annie Awards™ Corporate Sponsor is Monday, January 12, 2026. 

Created in 1972 by veteran voice actor June Foray, the Annie Awards have long recognized the animation industry’s most talented artists and storytellers. Honoring excellence across 37 categories—including Animated Feature, Animated Feature-Independent, Television/Media Productions, Sponsored Production, Short Subject, and Student Film—the Annie Awards also celebrate significant lifetime achievement and honorary awards.

ASIFA-Hollywood is the largest chapter of the international organization Association Internationale du Film D’Animation (ASIFA). Operating independently through member support and revenue from its events and initiatives, this nonprofit organization continues to unite the global animation community celebrating excellence, preserving history, and fostering education and innovation.

Some of ASIFA’s initiatives include the Animation Archive, Animation Aid Foundation, Animation Educators Forum (AEF), AnimAID (which inspired JapanAID), film preservation programs, open-source support, special events, screenings, and the prestigious Annie Awards—animation’s highest honor.

For up-to-the minute details and information on the 53^rd Annie Awards, please visit www.annieawards.org. For information on ASIFA-Hollywood, please visit www.asifa-hollywood.org.