After Effects .png sequence mask feather

Forgive me if this question is in the wrong place, I am new to this forum.
I have a .png sequence in AE (animation comprised of png files as frames). I use this format since the built in alpha channel/mask/transparency allows me to create composite images with blurred background/foregrounds (mimicking depth of field).
Basically the edges are too 'crisp' and I would like to feather them. I am used to working with masks but I havn't used the .png format for animation until now.
If I were in Photoshop I would simply select the layers pixels, create mask, feather the edge and voila. But I can't seem to access this png mask in after effects. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for the quick reply. I seem to remember that about png's from a first year class
Well my footage comes from a cg application and there are too many frames to manage in photoshop (unless there is a macro or batch script).
So there is no way to feather the transparency in AE (or premiere pro)?
As a last resort I suppose I can render an alpha channel as a separate sequence an use that.
Sent from my iPhone

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