The Nelvana co-founder and Canadian animation industry leader will also deliver the event’s Keynote; the Montreal International Animation Festival takes place September 17 – 19.
Hirsh has created and co-created some of the most successful globally recognized animation companies in Canada. In 1971, Hirsh co-founded NeIvana Limited where he developed and produced many celebrated animated programs including The Care Bears, Babar, Rupert, The Adventures of Tintin and others including recent Netflix animation hit series Castlevania, by Wow Unlimited Media. In the process, he pioneered many of the co-production, marketing, and distribution processes that have become standard industry practice. As an innovator in animated children's entertainment, Hirsh's career is a testament to his ability to foresee industry trends and create the best in animated programming and successful internationally recognized content and brands.
“Animaze wants to celebrate Canada’s behemoth animation industry which employs thousands of people in animation for film, television and gaming,” said festival founder Laurie Gordon. “It was a unanimous decision to honor Michael Hirsh with a lifetime achievement award as he has directly contributed to establishing Canada as a major hub of the global animation industry. He has nurtured business and innovation growth internationally; he is Warren Buffett meets Walt Disney with his meteor-like business history and acumen. He hit homeruns time and time again. He is instrumental in forming and nurturing so many companies and brands and is a visionary who has elevated the Canadian animation industry landscape, which will continue to reverberate for future generations.”
Source: Animaze
Whitney is a freelance writer focusing on VFX-driven fantasy film & TV as well as preschool animation.
