The International Family Film Festival honored animator Phil Roman with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Film at its 2009 edition.
The award, known informally as the ‘Friz’ award after famed animator Friz Freleng, was presented to Roman in recognition of excellence in animation and visual effects. It was presented March 1 by Simpsons actress Nancy Cartwright at a ceremony at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.
Now semi-retired, Roman’s first job in animation was as an assitant on Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. He went on to work on such successful and popular animated projects as the Peanuts specials, Garfield specials and series, the classic holiday special How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Simpsons and King of the Hill. He founded the Film Roman animation studio in 1984.
The International Family Film Festival, now in its 14th year, previously honored such animation legends as Charles Schulz, Bill Melendez, Joe Barbera and Friz Freleng.
