On Tuesday May 24th ASIFA HOLLYWOOD Pres. Antran Manoogian and VP Tom Sito began the first in a series of interviews to document the creation of the ANNIE AWARDS.

We all traveled out to Malibu to visit with former ASIFA VP animator Bill Littlejohn and former ASIFA/Hollywood Pres. June Foray. There we talked about how the Annie Awards were created back in 1971.

The first Annie went to Max Fleischer. June said no one was sure how many people would show up for the dinner at the Sportsmans' Lodge in Sherman Oaks. Imagine their surprise when 400 people came!

The award was accepted by Max's son, movie director Richard Fleischer. Since then for over thirty years Annies have gone to greats like Walt Disney, Tex Avery, Frank & Ollie, Chuck Jones and Art Klokey!

ASIFA hopes to have a highlight reel of great Annie Moments to open our next Award ceremony in February. In the meantime please look in your closets and garages for any old videos or photos of past Annie ceremonys and send them in to us to use. (they will be returned) Contact the ASIFA office, Kellie-Bea Cooper or Tom Sito at the 839 Guild office. Thanks!

Tom Sito
  ¶ 2:04 PM