With a successful DVD release last fall, the crew from Disney’s The Lion King will be reuniting for one night only to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the film, at a one-off event to be held in Glendale, California. Featuring a healthy host of panelists on hand to talk and answer questions on the making of the film (including Jeffrey Katzenberg, directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, co-writer Irene Mecchi, and animator Andreas Deja), the ASIFA-Hollywood sponsored evening is planned to be held at the Glendale Public Library on Monday June 14 at 7pm.
For full details and the official press announcement, please read on here:
ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD TO HOST THE LION KING TENTH ANNIVERSARY
Burbank, CA: ASIFA-Hollywood will host a tenth anniversary retrospective of Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lion King at the Glendale Public Library on Monday, June 14, 2004 at 7pm. Join story artists, directors and animators as they recall the making of this legendary film, and remember a time when animators moved among movie stars and drew with pencils. This is the only event one of its kind being planned in the tenth anniversary year.
The panel appearing that day will include former Disney animation president Jeffrey Katzenberg, directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, co-writer Irene Mecchi, animators Andreas Deja (Scar), Tony Bancroft (Pumbaa), Mike Surrey (Timon), and CGI creator of the Wildebeest stampede Scott Johnston. Many other current and former Disney artists also plan to attend. Former Lion King story artist Tom Sito will moderate the panel.
“In the decade since, the Lion King crew has been scattered but want to rally for this one night to remember when they contributed to an animation phenomenon that captured an entire generation of moviegoers,” said Tom Sito, board member of ASIFA-Hollywood and president emeritus of the Animation Guild. “The Lion King marked a high point not only of the Disney Renaissance but of the last great flowering of Hollywood 2D animation.”
ASIFA-Hollywood board member and animation producer, Stephen Worth added, “We’re thrilled with hosting a reunion for the most successful traditional animated film of all time. Its films like this that defines a generation of moviegoers.” Commenting on the connection between the film’s success and the future of traditional animation, Worth added, “To stay with the tone of the event, all proceeds will benefit the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive Project, a virtual archive that will house images, movie clips and sound files pertaining to the art of animation.”
The Glendale Public Library is located at 222 E. Harvard Ave. in Glendale. Admission is $5.00 for ASIFA-Hollywood members and $10.00 for non-members. Admission is free if you purchase an ASIFA-Hollywood membership at the door.
About ASIFA-Hollywood:
The International Animated Film Society: ASIFA-Hollywood is a California non-profit organization established over twenty-five years ago to promote and encourage the art and craft of animation. ASIFA-Hollywood offers screenings of current and rare animated films, supports film preservation, and hosts the Annie Awards®, an annual gala event recognizing individual and collaborative excellence with animation’s highest honor. For more information about ASIFA-Hollywood, visit www.asifa-hollywood.org or call (818) 842-8330.
