'Minions' studio Illumination gets honorary award from Pharrell / Photo: VALERIE MACON - AFP
-
England's Carse charged by cricket body over nightclub incident
-
Tesla shares jump after global car sales top estimates
-
Amazon vows $1 bn for data center towns, decries 'myths'
-
DR Congo Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,000: official figures
-
Oil prices drop on G7 fuel release, US jobs data boosts stocks
-
Djokovic survives China Open scare against wildcard world no. 104
-
G7 agrees deal to ease global energy supply concerns
-
Lula, Bolsonaro trade blows in final scramble for votes in Brazil
-
Spain's government dealt blow as lawmakers reject housing bills
-
New clashes erupt as protests disrupt over 560 French schools
-
Food, medicine shortages deepen in Russian-occupied Oleshky
-
NY governor vows to close loophole after alleged Cornell gang rape
-
Man City whistleblower Rui Pinto facing 'dire consequences' - lawyers
-
Ethiopia Tigray rebels pushed back as regional tensions spike
-
Russia 'tearing Kyiv apart', mayor says, as strikes paralyse traffic
-
Stocks rise, yields fall as US job numbers disappoint
-
Taiwan boxer Lin wins Games gold as Japan edge North Korea on penalties
-
Man City verdict a 'big topic' for England players, says Tuchel
-
Japan tame North Korea to win Games gold after shootout drama
-
NY attorney general tasked with investigating alleged Cornell gang rape
-
US posts weak job growth data in September
-
China widens military footprint with Laos air base
-
Ethiopia's conflict: the regional dimension
-
G7 talks as US pressures Europe over diesel stocks
-
Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid levels, says WHO
-
Man City launch appeal against explosive financial ruling
-
Turkey's football referee chief faces judge in graft probe
-
Swiss president to quit government
-
Verstappen goes own way to avoid the rain
-
Europe rejects US threats over diesel stocks, urges joint G7 action
-
Oil slides, bonds steady as EU addresses diesel price surge
-
Philippines tennis star Eala says 'I get overwhelmed sometimes'
-
Spain housing package at risk in parliament, as protests mount
-
Ferrari chief Vasseur has support from rival team bosses
-
Swedish Social Democrats leader to make new bid to form government
-
Pilot in flydubai attack says could not let 'all those people die'
-
North Korea calls Seoul 'despicable' after DMZ apology demand
-
Eurozone inflation hits three-year high at 3.8% in September
-
Taiwan boxer Lin wins gold as virtual taekwondo makes Games debut
-
Ancelotti says Brazil 'respects' India ahead of showdown
-
Man City face appeal deadline after explosive financial verdict
-
North Korean leader's sister calls Seoul 'despicable' after DMZ apology demand
-
Pole vault superstar Duplantis to skip indoor season
-
Germany's crisis-hit rail operator looks to AI future
-
Sri Lanka drop Asalanka from T20 against Pakistan
-
Leclerc tops second practice ahead of Hadjar
-
Disney president says layoffs 'extremely painful' but necessary
-
Macron urges G7 coordination as US presses Europe on diesel stocks
-
Indian flydubai pilot opened cockpit door to save passengers
-
Hundreds of French high schools shut as new violence erupts
'Minions' studio Illumination gets honorary award from Pharrell
Animation studio Illumination, creators of "Minions" and "Super Mario Bros", was presented with a rare honorary award by Pharrell Williams at one of the world's top animation festivals in France on Wednesday.
Williams, who contributed megahit "Happy" to the soundtrack of "Despicable Me 2", presented the Annecy festival's "Golden Ticket" to Illumination founder Chris Meledandri.
The multi-faceted musician and producer was in France ahead of his debut as Louis Vuitton's new head designer at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.
Since its creation in 2007, Illumination has had an astonishing run of success thanks to its "Despicable Me" franchise, and the spin-offs based on the antics of its little yellow Minions.
"The Secret Life of Pets" and "Sing" films have also been hugely successful, though all have been eclipsed by the shock triumph of "Super Mario Bros" which has grossed more than $1.3 billion since its release in April.
It is only the second time the festival has given the award. The previous recipient was DreamWorks ("Shrek", "Kung Fu Panda") in 2016.
"The collaboration between Illumination and Annecy has been crucial in the recent evolution of the festival," its artistic director Marcel Jean said in a statement.
M.Fischer--AMWN
