20 Years 20th Century Fox Animation Vanessa Morrison, President
Twentieth Century Fox created its own animation division in 1997 to branch out into the then-evolving world of CG films. Its first project, the Christmas television special Olive the Other Reindeer, was released two years later. Since that time, 20th Century Fox Animation has produced films in styles ranging from 2D and 3D animation to stop-motion, including The Simpsons Movie (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) and The Book of Life (2014). The studio has optioned a number of projects for future features, including Mutts, Mr. Men and Little Miss, Nimona and The Dam Keeper. Honors and Awards: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated Feature; Ice Age (2002), Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated Feature Coming Soon: Ferdinand (2017) Website: foxmovies.com This Polish VFX and animation studio is marking its 20th year as a major player in European animation. Platige’s work spans film, television, gaming and commercials, and includes CGI as well as 3D and 2D animation. Platige Image has produced numerous live-action and animated films and shorts, including Influence (2015). The studio also crafted special effects for visionary directors like Lars von Trier, in Antichrist (2009) and Melancholia (2011); and Andrej Wajda, in Katyn (2007). Honors and Awards: Cathedral, Academy Award Nominee, Best Animated Short Coming Soon: Another Day of Life Website: platige.com
Births: Animator Otto Messmer, voice of Goofy Pinto Colvig. Events: Charles-Émile Reynaud gives the first public performance of Théâtre Optique in 1892, showing the first animated films on picture band: Un bon bock, Le Clown et ses chiens and Pauvre Pierrot. Births: Voice actress Sara Berner; Czech animator/illustrator Jirí Trnka; Hungarian animator John Halas; animator Frank Thomas; animator, producer and union activist Chuck Jones; Bonnie Poe, the original Olive Oyl; animator Ollie Johnston. Releases: Winsor McCay’s How a Mosquito Operates.
Births: Animator/director Kitarô Kôsaka, animator/director Bill Kopp, voice of SpongeBob Tom Kenny, comedian/voice actor Carlos Alazraqui, actor and voice artist Dee Bradley Baker, Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge. Founded: Tatsunoko Production Co. Events: Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol ed holiday TV special. Releases: Hanna-Barbera’s The Jetsons, UPA’s Gay Purr-ee ring Judy Garland, Disney’s A Symposium on Popular Songs. Births: Voice actor Jim Cummings, director Henry Selick, sons voice actress Maggie Roswell. Events: The Screen Cartoonist’s Guild (now The Animation Guild — IATSE Local 839) is officially formed. Wile E. Coyote speaks for the first time in Operation: Rabbit. Releases: UPA’s Madeline brings the beloved book character to cinemas for the first time. Founded: Paramount’s animation division Famous Studios (formerly Fleischer Studios) is officially incorporated, and releases its first cartoon, You’re a Sap, Mr. Jap, starring Popeye. Events: Terrytoons’ The Mouse of Tomorrow introduces Mighty Mouse. The first Looney Tune in color, The Hep Cat, debuts. Tweety Bird makes his first appearance in A Tale of Two Kitties. Releases: Disney’s Bambi, Tex Avery’s WWII parody Blitz Wolf, Tex Avery & Fred Quimby’s The Early Bird Dood It!, Chuck Jones’ The Dover Boys.
Tron, Regular Show the first major feature with exten-