Jerry Beck, J.J. Blumenkranz and Tom Caulfield join as vice presidents, Bill Turner as treasurer and Erica Pinto as secretary, while the Oscar-nominated documentarian who started at Disney on 'The Little Mermaid' inherits the industry's awards show.
Frank Gladstone has been elected board president of ASIFA-Hollywood, and Michael Paxton promoted to executive producer of the Annie Awards, as the organization appoints a new slate of officers.
Gladstone is a director, producer, and educator who has worked in feature animation at Disney, Warner Bros., and DreamWorks, and now runs Gladstone Film. He has held senior posts at ASIFA-Hollywood: president, a role he first held in 2011; executive director, until his retirement in December 2023; and, most recently, executive producer of the Annie Awards.
He replaces Sue Shakespeare, president of independent studio Creative Capers Entertainment. Shakespeare, who had led the board since December 2020, moves to ASIFA-Hollywood's Emeritus Board.
Joining Gladstone as vice presidents are Jerry Beck, the animation historian, author, and Cartoon Brew co-founder; J.J. Blumenkranz, a visual effects and pipeline technology executive whose credits include Shrek and The Polar Express; and Tom Caulfield. Bill Turner is treasurer. Erica Pinto is secretary.
"I'm excited to welcome our newly elected Executive Board," said Aubry Mintz, ASIFA-Hollywood executive director. "While several members have previously served in leadership roles, our executive board brings a blend of experience, fresh perspectives, and renewed energy."
Paxton started in animation in 1989 as a writer in Disney's feature animation department during production of The Little Mermaid, and went on to work on Rover Dangerfield, The Pagemaster, Stuart Little 2, The Lion King 1½, and The Addams Family 2. His documentary Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life was nominated for an Academy Award. He also teaches film history and production, and has lectured at festivals and universities.
"After 35 years in animation and working with the previous Executive Producer of the Annie Awards, I am honored and grateful to now be the new Executive Producer of the Annie Awards," Paxton said, "and to continue to support the best in the animation industry."
In addition, ASIFA-Hollywood just opened submissions for the 54th Annie Awards, adding a Best International Anime Production for TV/Media category. The program covers 37 categories. Entries close November 30, and the ceremony returns to UCLA's Royce Hall on February 20, 2027.
ASIFA-Hollywood, the largest chapter of the international animation organization ASIFA, is the world's first and foremost professional organization dedicated to promoting the art of animation. Alongside the Annie Awards it runs the Animation Archive, the Animation Aid Foundation, and the Animation Educators Forum, and supports film preservation, open-source software, classes, and screenings.
More information on ASIFA-Hollywood is at asifa-hollywood.org.
Source: ASIFA-Hollywood
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
