May 26, 2012

Austin Film Fest Honors Pixar’s John Lasseter

by Hugh Cunningham | Published June 21, 2011

The wins just keep rolling in for John Lasseter. The two-time Academy Award-winning director will receive this year’s Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award at the Austin Film Festival and Conference this October. Considering that Lasseter has been instrumental in the creation of most of Pixar’s masterpieces, including Up, WALL-E and the Toy Story franchise, the award is well deserved.

As a recipient of this prestigious honor, Lasseter joins the ranks of such talented Extraordinary Contribution alumni as Ron Howard, Oliver Stone and the late Sydney Pollack.

Lasseter will not be the sole representative from the world of animation at this year’s Austin Film Fest, taking place October 20-27, 2011. He will be among many talented animation writers and directors from such films as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and The Iron Giant.

Many other notable moviemakers are in line to receive awards as well: Writer Caroline Thompson, whose credits include Edward Scissorhands and Corpse Bride, will be receiving the 2011 Distinguished Screenwriter Award, and the Outstanding Television Writer Award will be presented to Hart Hanson. Hanson is best known as the creator, writer and executive producer of Fox’s hit crime drama “Bones.”

More than 170 films will be screened at this year’s festival, which will also feature more than 90 panels and roundtable discussions. For more information, visit www.austinfilmfestival.com.