This year's World Animation Celebration (WAC), in association with Animation Magazine and Variety, takes place at the Pasadena Civic Center for a command sequel. It's a festival, a trade show, a conference, a job fair, a student animation marathon, an Internet pow wow and networking haven all rolled into one.

Featuring tributes to artists such as Ray Harryhausen, Bill Plympton, Corky Quakenbush, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbara, and to studios and independents such as Warner Bros., Dreamworks SKG and Cuppa Coffee, there's something for everyone to watch. "The film competition is the core of the festival where we celebrate the art of animation. What's most important to recognize this year is the bridge taking place between live-action and animation," said Festival Director Leslie Sullivan.

As a result, the World Summit for Feature Films and Visual Effects was launched to introduce the changing landscape for animated features and the opportunities available to filmmakers. The second component of the Summit will examine how digital technology and visual effects are changing the way Hollywood makes movies. According to Director Danielle Robertson, "This event is structured to give the leaders of the industry the opportunity to share points of view in open discussions, screen clips illustrating the topics covered and provide a sneak preview of what to expect in the immediate future."

Ray Harryhausen will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering stop-motion work. © Ray Harryhausen.

Monday, February 16, 1998
Students won't want to miss the President's Day World Animation Marathon (WAM) kick off event. High schools and colleges from around the country are gathering to create a feature length animated film with the guidance of AnimAction, Inc. (www.animaction.com). Ringling School of Art and Design, School of Visual Arts, Sheridan College, DHIMA, Gnomon, Art Institutes International and the Vancouver Film School will be recruiting as well. Awards will be given at the end of the week during the WAM awards ceremony.

Concurrently the same day, web-a-holics will enjoy the Big Internet Animation Pow-Wow put on by Animation World Network (AWN) and Unbound Media. Director Andrea Drougas has put together panels with such heavyweights as Sony Pictures Imageworks, Digital Planet, Warner Bros., Real Networks and more. Some of the topics to be discussed include, "The Future of Animation On the Internet," "New Technologies to Power your Studio into the New Millennium" and "Producing Content for the Internet." If you register on-line you can receive a discount.

Tuesday, February 17, 1998
Beginning today, check out the competitive screenings, independent showcases and artist tributes, with Ray Harryhausen, John Coates and Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards. Don't miss the Anime "Festival Within the Festival" featuring a Speed Racer tribute. Screenings occur at various times all week long. Some highlights include the ever-so-evolved South Park characters in "Big Al's Gay Boat Ride," Corky Quakenbush's repertoire of twisted take-offs, some of Cartoon Network's never before seen Dexter's Laboratory shorts as well as John K.'s new short, Ranger Smith. The schedule will be posted on the web site by Saturday, February 7, 1998.