Silvergate Media celebrates triple Annie Award win for animated hit Hilda

Silvergate Media is celebrating a trio of award wins at this year’s Annie Awards for the second season of its Netflix animated adventure TV series, Hilda, including Best Animated TV Production for Children and Best Character Animation – TV and Media.

The 48th annual Annie Awards were presented virtually on April 16th to honour achievements in animation. Hilda was also crowned winner of the Best Editorial – TV and Media category, having collected awards in every nominated category.

Kurt Mueller, EVP creative content, Silvergate Media and executive producer, Hilda,said: “The second season of Hilda expanded the mythical universe of Trolberg, bringing layers of complexity to the cast of characters and offering viewers a closer look at the unique and fascinating world inspired by Luke Pearson and his original comic book series.

“On behalf of the entire team and our partners at Netflix, we are thrilled to receive these awards for Season 2 and look forward to delivering more blue-haired adventures in the very near future.”

Waheed Alli, chief executive, Silvergate Media, added: “To have won awards in every nominated category is testament to the creative vision of Mercury Films.  We’re proud to have created a show unlike anything else you’ll see on children’s TV today.”

The show’s recent awards triumph follows its previous success at the 2019 Annie Awards when the first season of Hilda was also awarded three of the top TV prizes. It then went on to achieve further critical acclaim by winning BAFTA, International Emmy and Kidscreen awards that same year.

Co-produced by Silvergate Media and Mercury Films, Hilda first debuted on Netflix to great acclaim in September 2018. Season two was released on December 14th 2020, delivering fresh adventures for the fearless blue-haired heroine as she delves deeper into the vast magical wilderness of Trolberg.

Season one and two of Hilda are now available in 130 countries on Netflix’s global platform and Silvergate has an extended special in the pipeline. It has a consumer products program in place that spans toys, games, publishing, accessories, apparel and homewares.

Magic Light Pictures’ The Snail and the Whale takes Best Special Production at 2021 Annie Awards

Magic Light Pictures’ animated special, The Snail and the Whale, has been named Best Special Production in the 48th Annual Annie Awards, hosted via a virtual ceremony on Friday, April 16th.

The Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood, each year since 1972 to recognise excellence in animation.

The acclaimed 30’ family film, which premiered on BBC One on Christmas Day 2019 to an audience of four million, follows the journey of a snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a humpback whale.

The film was voiced by a British acting cast including Sally Hawkins (Paddington, The Shape of Water) as Snail, Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey, The Trip) as Whale, Cariad Lloyd (Peep Show, Murder in Successville) as Teacher, and the late Dame Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones, Victoria) as the Narrator.

Based on the global hit book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Snail and the Whale was directed by Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon and produced by Michael Rose and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures, with animation services by Triggerfish Animation in Cape Town.

Its Annies success adds to Magic Light’s plethora of awards, including four Oscar nominations. Many of the awards have been for their critically acclaimed festive family specials, The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Stick Man, The Highway Rat and Zog, which have become a highlight of the BBC One Christmas schedule.

The Snail and the Whale is also proving a hit at retail, with leading licensees including master toy partner Wow! Stuff, Aurora for huggable plush and Sainsbury’s for a range of items including clothing.

Magic Light Pictures co-founder Michael Rose, said: “We are thrilled to have won this prestigious award for The Snail and the Whale. To be named Best Special Production among so much outstanding global competition is a real honour and testament to the creativity, talent and hard work of directors Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon and all the team.”

In an exciting time for Magic Light, the award follows the launch of its first-ever preschool series, Pip and Posy, which premiered on Channel 5’s Milkshake! in March and launches on Sky Kids on demand in May.

Magic Light is also currently in production with Superworm, which will premiere this Christmas. Superworm is the ninth TV adaptation of a Donaldson/Scheffler title for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Magic Light Pictures’ The Snail and the Whale takes Best Special Production at 2021 Annie Awards

Magic Light Pictures’ animated special, The Snail and the Whale, has been named Best Special Production in the 48th Annual Annie Awards, hosted via a virtual ceremony on Friday, April 16th.

The Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood, each year since 1972 to recognise excellence in animation.

The acclaimed 30’ family film, which premiered on BBC One on Christmas Day 2019 to an audience of four million, follows the journey of a snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a humpback whale.

The film was voiced by a British acting cast including Sally Hawkins (Paddington, The Shape of Water) as Snail, Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey, The Trip) as Whale, Cariad Lloyd (Peep Show, Murder in Successville) as Teacher, and the late Dame Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones, Victoria) as the Narrator.

Based on the global hit book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Snail and the Whale was directed by Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon and produced by Michael Rose and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures, with animation services by Triggerfish Animation in Cape Town.

Its Annies success adds to Magic Light’s plethora of awards, including four Oscar nominations. Many of the awards have been for their critically acclaimed festive family specials, The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Stick Man, The Highway Rat and Zog, which have become a highlight of the BBC One Christmas schedule.

The Snail and the Whale is also proving a hit at retail, with leading licensees including master toy partner Wow! Stuff, Aurora for huggable plush and Sainsbury’s for a range of items including clothing.

Magic Light Pictures co-founder Michael Rose, said: “We are thrilled to have won this prestigious award for The Snail and the Whale. To be named Best Special Production among so much outstanding global competition is a real honour and testament to the creativity, talent and hard work of directors Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon and all the team.”

In an exciting time for Magic Light, the award follows the launch of its first-ever preschool series, Pip and Posy, which premiered on Channel 5’s Milkshake! in March and launches on Sky Kids on demand in May.

Magic Light is also currently in production with Superworm, which will premiere this Christmas. Superworm is the ninth TV adaptation of a Donaldson/Scheffler title for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.