'Minions' studio Illumination gets honorary award from Pharrell / Photo: VALERIE MACON - AFP
-
Taiwan leader warns countries in region 'next' in case of China attack: AFP interview
-
World Cup ticket prices skyrocket on FIFA re-sale site
-
'No one to back us': Arab bus drivers in Israel grapple with racist attacks
-
Venezuelan AG wants amnesty for toppled leader Maduro
-
Scrutiny over US claim that Mexican drone invasion prompted airport closure
-
Trump to undo legal basis for US climate rules
-
Protesters, police clash at protest over Milei labor reform
-
Dyche sacked by Forest after dismal Wolves draw
-
France seeks probe after diplomat cited in Epstein files
-
Rivers among 2026 finalists for Basketball Hall of Fame
-
Israel president says antisemitism in Australia 'frightening'
-
Trump orders Pentagon to buy coal-fired electricity
-
Slot hails 'unbelievable' Salah after matching Liverpool assist record
-
Von Allmen joins Olympic ski greats, French couple win remarkable ice dance
-
Guardiola eyes rest for 'exhausted' City stars
-
US pushes for 'dramatic increase' in Venezuela oil output
-
France's Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry snatch Olympic ice dancing gold
-
Man City close on Arsenal, Liverpool end Sunderland's unbeaten home run
-
Van Dijk sinks Sunderland to boost Liverpool's bid for Champions League
-
Messi out with hamstring strain as Puerto Rico match delayed
-
Kane helps Bayern past Leipzig into German Cup semis
-
Matarazzo's Real Sociedad beat Athletic in Copa semi first leg
-
Arsenal stroll in Women's Champions League play-offs
-
Milei labor law reforms spark clashes in Buenos Aires
-
Bangladesh's political crossroads: an election guide
-
Bangladesh votes in landmark polls after deadly uprising
-
US stocks move sideways after January job growth tops estimates
-
Man City close in on Arsenal with Fulham cruise
-
Mike Tyson, healthy eating advocate for Trump administration
-
LA 2028 Olympics backs chief Wasserman amid Epstein uproar
-
Brighton's Milner equals Premier League appearance record
-
Seahawks celebrate Super Bowl win with title parade
-
James Van Der Beek, star of 'Dawson's Creek,' dies at 48
-
Scotty James tops Olympic halfpipe qualifiers as he chases elusive gold
-
Trump tells Israel's Netanyahu Iran talks must continue
-
England to face New Zealand and Costa Rica in pre-World Cup friendlies
-
'Disgrace to Africa': Students turn on government over Dakar university violence
-
Simon in credit as controversial biathlete wins Olympic gold
-
McIlroy confident ahead of Pebble Beach title defense
-
US top official in Venezuela for oil talks after leader's ouster
-
Ukraine will only hold elections after ceasefire, Zelensky says
-
WHO urges US to share Covid origins intel
-
TotalEnergies can do without Russian gas: CEO
-
Instagram CEO denies addiction claims in landmark US trial
-
Israel's Netanyahu pushes Trump on Iran
-
EU leaders push rival fixes to reverse bloc's 'decline'
-
BMW recalls hundreds of thousands of cars over fire risk
-
Norris quickest in Bahrain as Hamilton calls for 'equal playing field'
-
Colombia election favorite vows US-backed strikes on narco camps
-
French court to rule on July 7 in Marine Le Pen appeal trial
'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
