In addition to the usual awards that the Annies handed out, the show also handed out three Winsor McCay Lifetime Achievement Awards. The award recognizes the great work of individuals within the animation community. Along with Matt Groening and Eric Goldberg, Brad Bird was honored. Before he made it to Pixar, Bird directed the instant classic, The Iron Giant. He was friends with John Lasseter, as they were classmates at the famed CalArts. Bird joined Lasseter at Pixar and went on to direct The Incredibles and Ratatouille, films that cemented his status as a fantastic director of animation.
He is currently busy directing his first live-action film, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, so he was unable to make it to the show to accept the award. He sent a hilarious video “acceptance speech,” which you can view below. The video includes the tribute montage that highlights his work. Make sure you stay through to the end of the video, as there is a fantastic surprise:
Makes you love Brad Bird even more now, doesn’t it?
Source: Cartoon Brew
