“The Newport Beach Film Festival and the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity announced today the first ever ‘Chuck Jones Award for Excellence in Animation’ to be presented at the 2008 Festival. Named after the legendary animation director, the inaugural award will be given each year to an individual or group who best exemplifies artistic achievement and innovation in the field of animation. Created to recognize the new generation of animators, the Award will celebrate the legacy of Chuck Jones and the continuing recognition of animation as a significant art form.” The full press release follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 24, 2008

NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL CHUCK JONES ANIMATION AWARD

Newport Beach, Calif. – The Newport Beach Film Festival and the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity announced today the first ever “Chuck Jones Award for Excellence in Animation” to be presented at the 2008 Festival. Named after the legendary animation director, the inaugural award will be given each year to an individual or group who best exemplifies artistic achievement and innovation in the field of animation. Created to recognize the new generation of animators, the Award will celebrate the legacy of Chuck Jones and the continuing recognition of animation as a significant art form.

Winners of the “Chuck Jones Award for Excellence in Animation” will receive a special animation cel of Chuck Jones’ work, a cash award and recognition at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Filmmakers from around the globe with original animated works, utilizing traditional hand drawn and/or computer generated techniques, created in feature length and short form may submit their films for consideration.

“Chuck Jones lived in Newport Beach as a child and always held it close to his heart. His last 22 years were spent as a resident of Newport Beach/Corona del Mar, and it is with great pleasure and delight that the Jones family and Trustees of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity participate in this wonderful festival,” stated Linda Jones Clough, daughter of Chuck Jones.

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to foster and encourage creativity, especially in young people, using Jones’ films, drawings and writings as artistic resource and inspiration.

Chuck Jones made more than 300 animated films over the course of his 60-year career. He created or helped create many of Warner Bros. most famous characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the Roadrunner and Coyote. Winner of four Oscars®, Jones received his final golden statue in 1996 for Lifetime Achievement.

The Newport Beach Film Festival runs April 24 – May 1, 2008 and will highlight more than 300 films from around the world, including features, shorts, documentaries, and animation. The Festival is dedicated to bringing Orange County the best in classic and contemporary films.

Filmmakers may download an entry form at www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com or submit through www.withoutabox.com. The final deadline for entries is February 2, 2008.