Ursa Major Awards open for nominations of 2024 works

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Furrlough, by various. (Antarctic Press; issues #194 {April} to #196 {Oct}) https://antarctic-press.myshopify.com/search?type=product&q=furrlough

(Above line appropriate length to fit into an Ursa nomination field)

Appropriate for nomination in Ursa's Graphic Story category.

(Another furry work i forgot to suggest for Ursa's reading list)
(Months from https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/Series/15700-FURRLOUGH )

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For an intro about Furrlough see WikiFur: https://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Furrlough

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Searching for 2024 fursuits to nominate (for the "Fursuit" category).
(re-edited this so hopefully all the suggested fursuits get grouped together in reply to this post)

nominations.html just says "Fursuit nominations will require a link to one good photo taken in 2024, where it was taken, and who made it if not already noted in the Recommended List."
(BUT only fursuit in RAL of 2024 works doesn't say WHERE taken ... so that info SEEMS optional.)

(BlueSky seems useless as a link source, i've only been able to view BlueSky posts via the BlueSky app)

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Well, is around 8:15am California time (March 1), and website still accepting nominations. (which i GREATLY APPRECIATE, because I haven't finished my nominations)

Posting, in case anyone else also checks this Flayrah page before nominations close.

Regarding the MOTION PICTURE CATEGORY (movies from Ursa's RAL):

(It's weird how much i care about this category, considering that (as far as i know) none of these are fandom creations.)

My top four:
1) The Wild Robot (Directed by Chris Sanders - September 27)
Funny and moved me emotionally.

2) Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (Directed by Merlin Crossingham and Nick Park - December 25)
funny and claymation.

3) Flow (A.K.A. Straume) (Directed by Gints Zilbalodis - December 6)
I have mixed feelings about a small bit of what felt like reptition, BUT I feel like the makers of Flow are the most indy of all the movies in the RAL list, and thus might appreciate the win the most.

4) Robot Dreams (Directed by Pablo Berger - May 31 (USA release))
Haven't seen this yet. But library has it (I'm in library's hold list for the DVD).
I like a trailer and most of the characters seem anthro/furry. Plus seems slightly indy compared with some of the mega businesses creating in this category.

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Quick thoughts about some of the rest:

* Better Man
Only one anthro character apparently.

* The Garfield Movie
Not seen. I think of Garfield as a bit of a jerk.

* Hitpig!
Seen, but found movie disappointing.
(edit: fat-shaming because villain fat. And creators didn't seem to know how zero-gravity works.)

* IF (Directed by John Krasinski - May 17)
Seen. Was ok, but writer-minded roomie thought it was mess writing-wise.

* Inside Out 2 ..
Seen trailer. Semed to be anthro, but not furry.

* Orion and the Dark (Directed by Sean Charmatz - February 2)
Only watched early part. SLOW start, and Princess Bride twist could been put at end, stopped watching partway through the Princess Bride part. Seems to be anthro, but not furry. (I think there was a fuzzy thing in the trailer)

* Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Did not watch: Jim Carrey annoys me.

* Thelma the Unicorn (Directed by Jared Hess and Lynn Wang - May 17)
Started watching, but (early in the movie) the full-sized horses dancing on top of the legs of humans broke my suspension of disbelief.
(edit: i'll try to get back to this movie, because had good impression from the trailer)

* The Tiger's Apprentice (Directed by Raman Hui, Yong Duk Jhun, and Paul Watling - February 2)
Not seen, but library has it (and i'm on the library hold-list/wait-list for one of their DVDs)

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skipping to an easier category of "Published Illustration": (since nominations still seem to be open)
(easier as in looking at an artwork takes only a minute or less while a movie could take two HOURS)

(for those overwhelmed by the RAL list of 37 illustrations)

I liked all the art at https://ursamajorawards.org/ReadList.htm#Picture
(there was a few i couldn't look at because they were at BlueSky, or the artist's tweets are UNavailable because "You’re unable to view this Post because this account owner limits who can view their Posts. "

but my shortlist is:

1) Himmis - Little Helpers - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/58502498/ , https://www.deviantart.com/himmis/art/Little-Helpers-1111321027 - October 17.
(Not included in Ursa's RAL. OOPS, I thought I had already included this Himmis artwork on this Flayrah page.)

2) Melangetic - Rainbow Arcade - FurAffinity - August 19. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57815673/

3) Royz - Adventurers & Explorers - Fur Affinity - July 9. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57310073

4) YumiCH - Micah and Shavier - FurAffinity - January 4. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55043070/
(possibly the only male/male illustration in the RAL list, not counting other categories such as comix)

runners up (any order):
(only one per artist, to avoid vote-splitting)

Carduelis - Romantic dinner - FurAffinity - February 9. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55478783/

DragonFU - The Year of the Dragon! - FurAffinity - January 24. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55283624/

HakkiDS2 - Concert - FurAffinity - July 1. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57213554/

K_I_D_A_original - Bounce! - FurAffinity - August 17. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57791763/

RoawayArt - Party crasher - Twitter - November 20 https://x.com/RoawayArt/status/1859280552035221707

Serpent_x, high orbit - Twitter - July 22. https://x.com/Serpent____x/status/1815434994556219504

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Moving on the category: "Game"

If list of 38 at https://ursamajorawards.org/ReadList.htm#Game
is too over-whelming, here's a shorter-list:
(some entries shortened to fit into nomination field)

1) Another Crab's Treasure (Developer/Publisher: Aggro Crab - April 25): https://aggrocrab.com/ACT
environmental theme(s).

2) Copycat (Developer: Spoonful of Wonder - Publisher: Neverland Entertainment, Nuuvem Inc,...- September 19): https://spoonfulofwonder.com/
"Copycat follows the story of a newly adopted shelter cat whose space in the home is taken by a copycat.
Guided by their moral compass, ... through three hours of video game narrative.
... Journey on an emotional rollercoaster that pulls at the heartstrings and reminds you how it feels to be left behind. Bring the tissues."

3) Farewell North (Developer: Kyle Banks - Publisher: Mooneye Studios - August 16) https://farewell-north.com/
"Play as a border collie and restore color to your human’s world in an atmospheric journey through the northern isles of Scotland. Explore land and sea, ... and free wildlife to bring color back to her world, while revealing an emotional story about saying farewell. "

Arches (Developer: Echo Project - Publisher: itch.io - October 07) Mature Audiences. https://echoproject.itch.io/arches
"Mature", so NOT for everyone. Is available for FREE! freeeee!

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (... Happy Broccoli Games - May 23) https://store.steampowered.com/app/2637990/Duck_Detective_The_Secret_Salami/
"your powers of de-duck-tion" to solve a mystery.
https://gamingfurever.com/games/genre/adventure/duck-detective-the-secret-salami : "System: Steam, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One"

{ i have run out of steam (game-wise): I didn't check out the games from "Nine Sols" TO "Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop }

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first batch of honourable mentions (a to z):

Bloomburrow (Developer/Publisher: Magic the Gathering - August 25): https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/bloomburrow
I don't like Hasbro, but i do like that it is a card-game (change of pace).

I Wani Hug That Gator! (Developer/Publisher: Cavemanon - February 14): https://hugthegator.xyz/
"The Prehistoric romance"
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
with FREE demo "contains chapters 1-4 ... averaging to around a few hours of play"

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2nd batch of honourable mentions (a to z):

Amber Isle (Developer: Ambertail Games - Publisher: Team17 - October 10): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1663040/Amber_Isle/
"quaint, friendly village of prehistoric residents who are in need of a new shopkeep... That’s you!"
"Platform(s): Windows, Nintendo Switch" (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber_Isle )

Indigo Park: Chapter 1 (Developer/Publisher: Unique Geese - May 18)
SCARY. Apparently only works in Windows. Including in list for thinky factor.

Just Crow Things (Developer/Publisher: Unbound Creations - August 15) https://unboundcreations.com/games/crowy/
Think-y game.

Little Kitty, Big City (Developer/Publisher: Double Dagger Studio - May 9): https://www.littlekittybigcity.com/
"on Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox, and Switch!"
You play a cat (who can do naughty things).

Webfishing (Developer/Publisher: lamedeveloper - October 12): https://webfishing.net/
Chill/relax with others.
Moved from top5 because only works for Windows users: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webfishing

Wild Woods (Developer: Octofox Games - Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment - December 9): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1975580/Wild_Woods/
A fight-y game, but has co-op mode (ie. collab with other players) AND has think-y element (strategy and resource management)
Moved from top5 because apparently only works for Windows users.

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other honourable mentions (the fighty games):

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus (Developer: Squid Shock Studios - Publisher: Humble Games - July 17): https://squidshockstudios.com/games/
Beautiful hand-drawn art.

Kristala (Developer/Publisher: Astral Clocktower Studios - June 6): https://www.astralclocktowerstudios.com/kristala
Looks good visually.
Available on "Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5 and Xbox series X".

The WereCleaner (Developer: Howlin' Hugs - Publisher: USC Games - May 7)
Cute main character (warning: there may be blood)

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possibly ineligible because apparently PRE-2024 work:

The Hayseed Knight (Developer/Publisher: Sandra 'Maxi' Molina (SandraMJdev) - February 29): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1332990/The_Hayseed_Knight/
I was going to put this in my top5, but Steam page says "Release Date: ... 2020", so not sure why in RAL list of 2024 works.

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And then most of the other Ursa nomination categories.
Nomations sometimes abbreviated to "noms".

Moving on the category: "Music".
Top of my list:

1) Put Your Paws Up (Radio Edit), by Tundra Fox (feat. Allie Cat), - song - August15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQixToL0D3Y
Furry lyrics. :) Upbeat! :) :)

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{{edit: oh wait ... looks like nominations now closed ... so beyond this point
A) is the faint hope that the nominate.cgi form i have open will save the additions i come up with below
(UPDATE: I was able to save my additional noms. Clicked "save" button and result was "Your nominations have been accepted. Thank you!"
B) some others may also have a nominate.cgi page open and want help before clicking save button. }}

2) Sad, Drunk and Needy, by WHSPRS - album - Feb 15. https://whsprs.bandcamp.com/album/sad-drunk-and-needy
(includes 'Snow in Sweden')

most of the rest seemed equally good, but since each person only gets 5 noms in each category:

3) opal, by lulamoon - album - July 5 https://lulamoon.bandcamp.com/album/opal
(Stood out with the rap-music elements)

4) 7 Grand Dance, by tdstr - album - May 10. https://tdstr.bandcamp.com/album/7-grand-dance

(option overload: take your pick)

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category: Non Fiction Work
(putting near-top, because NON-fiction is COOL!)

https://ursamajorawards.org/ReadList.htm#NonFic

Digging Up Positivity June'04: Fursuits, Furries, Charities, Animation & More! by Thabo Meerkat. (June 29) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SpG2_oCMAk

Fur and Loathing by Brazen with Patch O'Furr and Nicky Woolf. (May) https://brazen.fm/fur-and-loathing/

Fur Affinity owner Dragoneer & Hugo Nominated Vootie artist Taral Wayne pass away (World in RooView-Aug) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C_3mRsZ5k0

Modern Furry Rappers Fill Decades-Long Hole in the Community, by Melissa Thyme Monroe. https://www.trickystoop.com/indieanthro/modern-furry-rappers/

A Queer Reading of Twokinds - Recap & Analysis of an Infamous Furry Webcomic, by LeafBeetle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnGPej4hEOQ

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category: Dramatic Short Work

https://ursamajorawards.org/ReadList.htm#Video

(I ignored the Neurodiverse Friends for this category, because is already in the Series category)

1) Pan De Noche https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grA0QnwThiQ (Created by Jovince Balanquit - November 26)

* HORNY (Directed by zhangir - July 4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz4DkiWF7FE
(included at https://www.flayrah.com/9291/fur-your-consideration-11-animation-short-reviews-2024 )

edit: i forgot to add the rest. My choices were probably
* Dungeon Flippers PILOT: The Ace of Wands (Directed by Travis Fowler - June 20) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NjbEw8khww
* The Ballad of Skipjack and Atticus (Directed by Dani De Guzman - June 6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFWr7EKka_w
* Animation - A Ragtime Duet (Created by SirloinBurgers - June 29) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdIiQsb0Ajk

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category: Dramatic Series (a-z):

1) Beastars (Directed by Shin'ichi Matsumi - Final season part 1) https://www.netflix.com/title/81054847

2) Natural Habitat Shorts https://www.youtube.com/@NaturalHabitatShorts (created by Brennan Brinkley, Nicole Low, & Tyler Kula - January-December)

3) Neurodiverse Friends (Directed by Luca Fattore - March-December) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo0cNg5_hOtiyy9-_QCgqHDpdaTxh0Sk1

4) Park Players https://theparkplayers.com/ (Created by Joe Cobden - Time to Halloween Special)

5) r[E]volution https://www.youtube.com/@raemyshu/videos (Animated by raeMyshu aka Myshu, created with various - episode 1)

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category: Other Literary Work:
1) Awoo!: Volume 2, by AC Stuart. (Fenris Publishing - comic strip collection - Dec) https://www.fenrispublishing.com/product.php?id=1047

2) Lauren Ipsum Throws the Book At You, by Charles Brubaker. (Smallbug Press - comic strip collection - Jan 1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKD6L4V7

3) Swords and Sausages Volume Two, by Jan (TigerKnight - comics collection - March 31): https://www.tigerknight.com/store/

4) Zooscape, Volume 4 (#11-13) edited by Mary E. Lowd. (Deep Sky Anchor Press - https://www.amazon.com/Zooscape-Issues-11-13-Mary-Lowd/dp/B0DCZTJMYV/
(COOL! An multi-author anthology collecting from zine)

and the rest of
https://ursamajorawards.org/ReadList.htm#Other
is by Mary E. Lowd ... so take your pick.

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category: Graphic Story
Furrlough, by various. (Antarctic Press; issues #194 {April} to #196 {Oct}) https://antarctic-press.myshopify.com/search?type=product&q=furrlough

Interned vol 4, by Jackaloo. (FurAffinity - page 36 to page 72) https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55117665/

r[E]volution (comic version) http://www.chuparevolution.com/comics/revob21-04.htmlby Myshu aka raeMyshu. (Chapter 21, p4 to end & Chapter 22 header)

Swords and Sausages, https://www.tigerknight.com/ss/13-1 by Jan (TigerKnight - February 4 to December 29)

(option overload: take your pick)

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category: comic strip

My Bigger Boyfriend, by Cooner. (Internet. FurAffinity - #157 to #198) https://www.mybiggerboyfriend.com/comic/my-bigger-boyfriend-157/

Phoebe and Her Unicorn, by Dana Simpson. https://www.gocomics.com/phoebe-and-her-unicorn/2024/01/01 (Go Comics - January-December)

Savestate, by Tim Weeks. https://www.savestatecomic.com/comic/tree-trimming/ (January 3 to December 25)

(Fox in Love won in 2024, for 2023 work)

option overload: take you pick of
https://ursamajorawards.org/ReadList.htm#Strip

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There are other categories, but probaby not-many (or none) with an active Ursa nominate.cgi page that can save new noms.