There are legends we learn from, remember, and celebrate. And then there are the rare few who bring about a wave of change that reshapes an entire industry. Arnab Chaudhuri was that legend.
In 2012, his film Arjun: The Warrior Prince became the first Indian animated film to make the academy shortlist and there on the first Indian animated feature nominated for Best Feature at major festivals including Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Ottawa International Animation Festival, and Holland Animation Film Festival. It remains a milestone the industry looks up to.
His influence lives on well beyond that one milestone. Arnab was not only a creative genius, but a mentor who encouraged and championed unique creative voices. As AnimationXpress enters the sixth edition of the Arnab Chaudhuri Awards, we continue to honour a genius and a great human being.
Each year, AnimationXpress’ Ann Awards celebrate excellence in animation as part of the Animation & More (AM) Summit, and since 2021, a special segment has carried his name to honour his legacy.
The Arnab Chaudhuri Awards applaud the same qualities he embodied – excellence in craft, a unique vision and originality. Fittingly, the winners are chosen by a jury of his longtime collaborators and friends, AniMela 2026 festival director Nina Sabnani; UCLan and UAL, Central St Martins ex-lecturer & filmmaker Pete Bishop; On Air Promos Sdn Bhd creative director Rob Middleton; Disney Kids and Family international animation vice president Orion Ross; UID NCR & GD Goenka University prof of practice Prakash Moorthy; along with AnimationXpress founder, chairman, and editor-in-chief Anil NM Wanvari, and creative consultant & executive producer Ashima Avasthi Chaudhuri.
The awards are presented in two categories:
- Arnab Chaudhuri Animation Ace Award – Recognising an animation director whose vision and inventiveness push the boundaries of storytelling and craft.
- Arnab Chaudhuri Young Ace Award – Honouring a student director whose work demonstrates bold creativity, originality and a distinctive storytelling voice.
The Arnab Chaudhuri Awards have recognised some of the most promising voices in animation since 2021, presented to Krishna Chandran A. Nair (2021), Upamanyu Bhattacharya (2022), Neeraja Raj (2023), Shaheen Sheriff (2024), and Anirban Paul (2025).
The Arnab Chaudhuri Young Ace Award has honoured Sovan Dutta (SRFTI) and Balaram J (National Institute of Design) in 2021, Pivari Kejriwal (Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology) in 2022, Gaurav Pati (NID) in 2023, Karthik Mahajan (NID) in 2024, and Govinda Sao in 2025, with Swathy Pushpalochanan receiving a special mention. The winners for the 2026 edition will be announced on 28 August 2026, during the eighth edition of the Animation & More Summit, scheduled for 28 & 29 August 2026 at the Nesco Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
Five years on, the Arnab Chaudhuri Awards remain a tribute to what he valued most, bold, original new talent.
