ASIFA-Hollywood has released the full list of juried award winners for the 2004 Annie Awards. In addition to Gene Deitch who we reported on Dec. 16, 2003 would receive the Winsor McCay Award, the other winners include Walt Disney designer John Hench and Tony the Tiger voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft.
Hench, at 95, still works at Walt Disney Imagineering where he designs attractions for all the Disney theme parks. After beginning his career with Disney as a background painter on DUMBO and FANTASIA, he won an Academy Award for special effects in 1955 for 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. Hench was one of the original artists working on Disneyland.
Ravenscroft has been the only voice of Tony the Tiger since 1952. He also voiced the Grinch in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS as well as characters in THE CAT IN THE HAT.
The June Foray Award, for significant and benevolent or charitable impact on the art and industry of animation, will be awarded to Martha Sigall. She started as an ink and painter at the Schlessinger Studio and, throughout her four decades career, has worked for various studios, including MGM, Bob Clampett Studios and Bill Melendez Studios.
The Ub Iwerks Award for technical achievement goes to Scott Johnson of Lumo Software. In addition, a Certificate of Merit will given to David Derks, Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt for their traveling animated shorts festival, The Animation Show.
The Annie nominations will be announced on Jan. 5, 2004. The awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 7, 2004. For tickets, call (818) 842.8330 or visit www.asifa-hollywood.org.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
