Local Animation Festival Celebrates Animation Classics

The Academy Center of the Arts hosted an   animation festival Jan. 22 featuring some of the earliest animated classics in   film history. 

This free event highlighted Fleischer Studios, one of the first animation studios, and celebrated its 100th anniversary. Max and Dave Fleischer founded Fleischer Studios, an animation company rivaling Walt Disney Productions, in 1929. 

The studio produced some of the best-known cartoon icons of the 20th century, such as Betty Boop, Popeye the Sailor Man and the original animated Superman. 

The studio did not survive on its own for long and was acquired by Paramount Studios in May 1941. Yet, its creations live on in pop culture. 

The festival itself promoted many family-friendly attractions that brightened up an otherwise freezing cold January afternoon, offering photo ops with in-costume characters, a temporary tattoo parlor and theater showings of classic animations. 

When asked about the event, Michelline Hall, the director of programs, said, “It’s really about having this fun, multi-generational celebration of old-school animation.” 

In lieu of ticket admissions, the Center asked patrons to bring donations and canned goods for the local Knights of Columbus, who were collecting food for those in need. 

One of the next big events at the Academy will be Masters of Illusion – Believe the Impossible on Feb. 26. Information on upcoming events can be found at       academycenter.org.   

Engel is a feature reporter. 

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