Shrek Leads Animation Awards

September 20 -- In what could be a sneak peek of the new animated film category that debuts at next year's Oscars, DreamWorks' Shrek received an even dozen Annie Award nominations from ASIFA-Hollywood, the International Animated Film Society announced this week

The computer-animated hit racked up nods for animated theatrical feature, directing, acting (for Eddie Murphy), as well as multiple nominations in the character animation, effects animation, and production design categories.Walt Disney's The Emperor's New Groove garnered 11 nods, including animated theatrical feature, directing, song, production design, storyboarding, writing, and voice acting (for Eartha Kitt and Patrick Warburton).

Warner Bros. animation-live action combo Osmosis Jones and the Japanese animé feature Blood: The Last Vampire round out the contenders in the theatrical feature category, the former with a nod for William Shatner's vocal turn.

Annies will be bestowed in 26 categories, including features, TV programming, commercials, home video, electronic media, and shorts, at the 29th annual ceremony on Nov. 10 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, Calif.

Leonard Nimoy, who's been nominated for his voice work as the King of Atlantis in Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, will also receive the June Foray award, named after the ubiquitous woman who voiced Rocky the Squirrel and numerous other cartoon characters. The award honors special service to the animation art form.

Reuters contributed to this story.