Toon Luminaries Toast MAF Fellowship Awardees Snowden Fine

As the 2020 digital edition of Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) opens, figures from across the industry have congratulated Oscar-winning Canadian animation duo Alison Snowden and David Fine of Snowden Fine Films (Bob’s Birthday, Animal Behaviour), who have been officially honored by the festival with this year’s Fellowship Award, which celebrates their tremendous contributions to the animation industry.

Animation luminaries have come out to send their congratulations to the pair, with Peppa Pig writer Neville Astley creating a bespoke animation video to say “well done David and Alison,” while animation Commissioning Editor Clare Kitson also commented that this achievement was “richly deserved.”

Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park added: “Congratulations to my old film school chums. It’s so great to see you get this wonderful fellowship award from the very prestigious Manchester Animation Festival and to be recognized in this way for your amazingly funny and original and inspired body of work. I’ve always looked forward to seeing your next thing and always felt so inspired by you. It’s wonderful to be able to sit here and say congratulations on yet another recognition, and a very important one — so well deserved.”

The films of Alison Snowden and David Fine examine the human condition through their distinct cartoon style and razor-sharp humor. After meeting at art school in the 1980s Snowden and Fine have shared a creative journey and life together that has seen them creating Oscar winning short films, well-loved TV series as well as classic TV adverts.

You can watch Alison and David receive this award, as well as a retrospective screening of their work, on the MAF digital platform by purchasing a ticket. Ticket buyers will automatically receive free access to the Snowden Fine live Q&A taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. GMT.

MAF also confirmed that Aardman co-founder Peter Lord, alongside The Simpsons showrunner and Disenchantment co-creator Josh Weinstein and Oscar-nominated director Barry Purves will make special guest appearances in the festival’s Skwigly Animation Quiz, available on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 9 p.m.

As Festival Director Steve Henderson officially launched the festival, he commented: “It’s been a difficult year and the festival team have worked hard to bring the scale and ambition of the usual festival to your homes. We are passionate about animation but the festival just wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the funders and partners who have helped make MAF a reality.”

Jen Hall, festival producer and programmer, added: “We’d like to thank our audience who inspire us to face the challenges that come our way; we are not only here for you, but we are here because of you. Thank you all for joining us as we deliver new ways to inspire and celebrate the animated form.”

Manchester Animation Festival comprises film premieres, exclusive screenings, workshops, panels and so much more. It runs until November 30 and tickets are available here.