Hollywood
Takahata gets Honorary award at Annecy Animation FilmFest in France
NEW DELHI: Renowned animator Isao Takahata has been given the honorary award at the Annecy Festival in France to celebrate his career and contribution to animation.
An acclaimed filmmaker has created a number of master works including Grave of the Fireflies, Pompoko and My Neighbours the Yamadas.
Along with Hayao Miyazaki and the Tokuma Shoten company, he also founded studio Ghibli, producer of international successes as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and The Wind Rises.
Festival Artistic Director Marcel Jean said at the conclusion earlier this week: “Filmmaker of an exceptional scale, Mr Takahata is also a great humanist whose work has become a reference for those who believe in the greatness of animation as a cinematic art form.”
His latest film, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, was screened in his presence at the Festival opening ceremony.
The Haras Theatre in quaint centre ville Annecy was a buzz as the final prizes and special mentions were announced to a full house of festival goers and industry insiders.
The other award winners were:
1. Award for originality and humour Kod fotografa
Director: Vatroslav MIMICA
Country: Croatia
2. Award for originality and humour
Krava na mjesecu
Director: Dusan VUKOTIC
Country: Croatia
3. Grand Prix
Lev a písnicka
Director: Bretislav POJAR
Country: Czech Republic
4. International Critics’ Award
Moonbird
Director: John HUBLEY, Faith ELLIOT
Country: United States
5. Award for social interest and graphic research
O misto na slunci
Director: Frantisek VYSTRCIL
Country: Czech Republic
6. Award for musical score and sound effects
Osvetnik
Director: Dusan VUKOTIC
Country: Croatia
7. Children’s film Award
Petya i krasnaya shapochka
Director: Boris STEPANTSEV
Country: Russia
8. Award for its humanitarian theme and graphical research
Pozor!
Director: Jiri BRDECKA
Country: Czech Republic
9. Award for aesthetic research
Prelude pour voix, orchestre et caméra
Director: ARCADY
Country: France
10. Award for poetry and popular art
Vlyublennoe oblako
Director: Roman KATCHANOV, Anatole KARANOVITCH
Country: Russia
Hollywood
Iger’s final act: Disney boss wraps up epic saga with a new captain at the helm
After 15 turbulent years, two stints in the c-suite, and billions spent on blockbuster acquisitions, Bob Iger is stepping away from the Magic Kingdom.
CALIFORNIA: The 75-year-old chief, hailed as one of the most transformative leaders in modern media, officially hands over to former parks chief Josh D’Amaro on 18 March. And this time, he’s getting the succession right.
Iger’s legacy glitters with big bets and epic wins: the $7.4bn Pixar buy, $4bn Marvel swoop, and the colossal $71bn 21st Century Fox deal. He dragged Disney into the streaming age, fought off activist investor Nelson Peltz, and saw off a political scrap with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
But it hasn’t all been pixie dust. The forced return of Iger in 2022—after the short, shaky reign of successor Bob Chapek—tarnished an otherwise stellar run.
Now, D’Amaro takes the wheel with a streamlined leadership team and Disney firing on all cylinders. The firm’s streaming business is in the black, theme-park attendance is soaring, and five global films have hit $1billion at the box office in the past two years. Not bad for a firm that was on the ropes just months ago.
D’Amaro’s first move? A slick reorg under new president and chief creative officer Dana Walden, folding film, tv, streaming and gaming into one punchy unit. Sean Shoptaw, heading up the gaming division, now reports directly to Walden—bringing Fortnite and Epic Games collaborations closer to Disney’s creative heart.
Iger isn’t sailing off into the sunset just yet. He’ll keep busy with Angel City FC, the women’s football club he owns with his wife. And as Ann Mooney Murphy of Stevens Institute predicts: “A guy like that never truly retires.”
One era ends. Another begins. And the House of Mouse bets big on a future beyond the king.
