The early 21st Century saw the majority of awards ceremonies acknowledge this statement by introducing new categories for animated shorts and feature films, including the Academy Awards.
![best anime of 2017 so far best anime of 2017 so far](https://thedeadtoons.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kemono-Jihen.jpg)
Suddenly, dozens of new animated films were being released, illustrating that the medium was more than just a throwaway genre for children, but a strong artistic statement. These new techniques not only widened the artistic possibilities, they also widened industry involvement in the medium. While traditional animated films still carried impact, studios like Pixar suddenly introduced audiences to a whole new plethora of animation techniques. Computer graphics became an art form and changed the landscape of cinema, especially with animation. Leading into the 21st Century, audience expectations shifted dramatically due to the revolutionary changes made in special effects and animation. Starting with hand drawn and cell based animation, the medium has gradually evolved over the decades, utilising new methods to not only produce a different aesthetic, but create stories that connect with audiences on a much deeper and emotional level. Since the earliest days of live-action cinema, artists and animators have produced cartoons and animated films that have captivated young audiences across the globe. The history of animation goes hand in hand with cinema.