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IFFF "FRIZ" AWARD FOR ANIMATION EXCELLENCE
Since IFFF's beginning in 1994, the festival has recognized the power of animation to communicate and entertain audiences both young and old. Seeking to establish an award that recognized "excellence" in the field of animation (be it bestowed upon
a film animator, producer, director, writer or other major contributor to the art form), IFFF honored the legendary WB and independent film animator/director/producer, Mr. Isadore 'Friz' Freleng as its first recipient. After Friz's acceptance of this award and with the continued permission of his family, the name "Friz" has grown synonymous with this award.
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Over the years, IFFF has honored such animation greats as Joseph Barbara, Marc Davis, Jules Engel, Chuck Jones, Charles Schulz/William Melendez, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, Roy E. Disney, Disney Animation Producer, Mr. Don Hahn, Henry Selick, "Shrek" Animation team from Dreamworks, Marco Marenghi, and Phil Roman.
The spirit of the IFFF "Friz" Award for Animation Excellence is given to an individual or organization that has contributed the highest degree of quality, innovation and care to the art and advancement of animation.
On March 19, 1994, the first annual IFFF awarded the "Friz Award" to Mr. Isadore "Friz" Freleng for his lifetime achievement in the art of animation.
In a remarkable career that spanned 63 years, Friz Freleng was involved in nearly all aspects of animation. As a creator, director and producer, he created and contributed to many of the most memorable and award-winning cartoons ever produced.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Freleng moved to Hollywood as Head Animator of Warner Bros.' "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" cartoons. He animated the first Warner Bros. carton ever released, "Sink'in In the Bathtub" (1930) and directed his first cartoon, "Bosko in Dutch" (1933).
Freleng remained at Warner Bros. for 33 years. During this time, he was a major developer of Warner Bros. characters, producing and directing over 300 cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and others. In addition he created Porky Pig, Yosemite Sam, and Sylvester. Clearly evident in all of Freleng's cartoons was a unique talent for synchronizing the visual gag and the accompanying background music. While at Warner Bros., Freleng was honored with Academy Awards for the four shorts: "Tweetie Pie" (1947), "Speedy Gozales" (1955), "Birds Anonymous" (1957) and "Knighty Knight Bugs" (1958); and he was nominated for seven others.
In 1963, Freleng teamed up with David Depatie to form DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, which produced shorts for Warner Bros. and became the leading independent production company in the areas of animated film production television specials and commercials.
In 1980, Freleng became a Senior Executive Producer where he produced three feature-length films incorporating his "classic" animated shorts along with new animated sequences: "The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie" (1981), "Bugs Bunny's 1001 Rabbit Tale?" (1982), and "Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island" (1983).
For his television work, his animation garnered three Emmy Awards, two for the Dr. Seuss programs "Hallowe'en is Grinch Night" and "The Cat in the Hat", and one for directing the ABC After School Special "My Mom's Having a Baby", which combined live action and animation. His cartoons have aired on television continuously since the 1950s.
Animation great Isadore "Friz" Freleng died May 26, 1995. He was 89. His genius is remembered, Friz's legions of fans grow by the billions, and his presence is missed. The IFFF is extremely proud to continue his animation and creative legacy with "The Friz Award" for Animation Excellence.
In 2007, the "Friz" Award for Animation Excellence was re-dedicated by his daughters:
HOPE SHAW an SYBIL BERGMAN
