INFORMATION: The International Animated Film Association

Source: http://www.asifa-hollywood.org

The International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1960.  As members of the animated industry it is important to know about different associations and how they can benefit our career. 
In the animation world there are several associations but none are more influential to the development and history of the industry than ASIFA. Currently there are more than 25 chapters located around the world, however most of the activity takes place in ASIFA-Hollywood.  A group of professionals from the industry make ASIFA’s board of directors who meet up at the association’s film festivals.

ASIFA has several goals within their organization like, the support of animation education, improving public awareness, recognizing achievements and preservation of older animated cartoons. In order to reach their goals ASIFA sponsors various programs and projects.  Outstanding films are nominated for their annual The Annie Awards, which is a high honor in the industry.  Some of the categories for individual achievement are character design for feature production, character animation in television, voice acting, writing, and music and directing in both film and television.  Another program they have is the animation archive in, Burbank, California. It is considered their archive, museum and library.  At this location animation fans can find educational materials and volunteers digitizing artwork.

Perhaps their most important program from the ASIFA is their Animation Preservation Project.  The program is dedicating to saving old animated cartoons, which are in poor condition. Films made before the 1950’s were printed on flammable film stock.  It is important to protect the early history of the animation industry.  For example, Walt Disney and his early animation company lost several early cartoons due to the flammability of the stock film. Early prints of Oswald The Lucky Rabbit cartoons were lost as well as others.  ASIFA also works on tracking down rare prints and work on restoring them.  ASIFA’s commitment to preserving the history of animation is important. Their impact on the animation industry will come from their collection of the industry’s past. Since technology is growing every day, young animators might lose sight of traditional animation and having the ASIFA will benefit the entire industry.