Magic Light’s The Snail and the Whale Wins Annie Award

Magic Light Pictures’ animated special The Snail and the Whale has been named Best Special Production in the 48th Annual Annie Awards. 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. This year’s awards were held as a virtual ceremony on Friday, 16 April.

The acclaimed 30’ family film, which premiered on BBC One on Christmas Day 2019 to an audience of four million, follows the amazing journey of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a great humpback whale. A joyous, empowering story about the natural wonders of the world and discovering that however small you are, you can make a difference.  

The film was voiced by a starry 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.