Golden Cursor Animation Awards dazzle animation industry
The Indian animation industry had a field day (read: night) on Thursday, March 20, 2008.
Aptech’s Arena Animation, in conjunction with CNBC TV18’s Tech 2, hosted the glittering awards ceremony honouring outstanding professional and amateur talent in the booming sphere of animation.
The names
Tim Mostert, Founder, Speedy Productions, and creator of South Africa 's famous ‘Speedy' comic strip, and Sunil Thankamushy, Animation Director and Co-Founder of Spark Unlimited, were the chief guests of the evening that was hosted at Mumbai's ITC Grand Central Sheraton & Towers.
Says R Krishnan, Global Head, Arena Animation, “Over the past four years, owing to global recognition of India’s IT expertise, creative skills and entrepreneurial drive, the Indian animation industry has taken off in a big way. The Golden Cursor Awards are an attempt to give due recognition to creative professionals from the industry.”
No wonder then, that entertainment industry veterans like producer, director and cinematographer Govind Nihalani and Indian animation pioneer Bhimsain (of ‘Ek Anek’ fame) graced the occasion and expressed their views that animation in India is only set to get bigger and better.
Shares Shilpi Singh, Senior Manager, CNBC TV18, “Indian animation is currently riding on two key factors - a large base of skilled labour, combined with the comparatively low cost of production.”
The process
Meanwhile, the Awards felicitated animators in 21 categories, the winners for which were chosen after a comprehensive three-stage process and judged by a panel of experts from Arena Animation, The Cell, AnimationXpress.com as well as the Tech2 editorial team.
The stars
Winners of the ‘Golden Cursor Animation Awards' :
  Category Winner
Best Animated Feature Film
Abhishek Nayyar of Percept for ‘Return Of Hanuman'
Best New Animation Style
E Suresh of Famous Studios for ‘Levi's Slim Fit'
Best Animated PSA (Public Service Announcement)
Vaibhav Kumaresh of Vaibhav Studios for ‘ Buladi'
Best Animated Short Film (Student)
Ajay Singh Supahiya of IIT for ‘Mahabharata'
Best Animated Character
Jenifa Rodrigues of Channel V for ‘Bai'
Best Animated Channel ID/ Promo
Vaibhav Kumaresh of Vaibhav Studios for ‘ Symphonick'
Best Animated Short Film (Professional)
Gitanjali Rao for ‘Painted Rainbow'
Best Animation Sequence in a Film

Vaibhav Kumaresh of Vaibhav Studios for ‘Taare Zameen Par (3x9)'

Best Animated Title Sequence in a Film/ TV Series
Dhimant Vyas for ‘Taare Zameen Par'
Best Animated TVC

1. E Suresh of Famous Studios for ‘Levi's Slim Fit'

2. Vaibhav Kumaresh of Vaibhav Studios for ‘Amaron

Best Animation Live-Action Combo
Kunaal Saigal of Prime Focus Plus for ‘Fevicol'
   
 
More stars

Apart from the Golden Cursor Animation Award categories, a separate set of awards was instituted to spotlight people who work behind the scenes.
Winners of the ‘CNBC Expert Panelist Awards':
  Category Winner
Best Animation Lyrics
Swanand Kirkire of Animagic India for ‘Maa-Aa'
Best Animation Background Score
Tapas Reliya of Percept for ‘Return Of Hanuman'
Best Animation Music
Illayaraja for ‘V4'
Best Animation Sound Effects
Ashish Kulkarni of Big Animation for ‘Hey Krishna '
Best Visual Effects in an Animation Film
Ashish Kulkarni of Big Animation for ‘Hey Krishna '
Hall of Fame
VG Samant of Percept for ‘Hanuman'
Best 2D Animation
Chetan Sharma of Animagic India for ‘Maa-Aa'
Best 3D Animation

Ashish Kulkarni of Big Animation for ‘Hey Krishna '

Special Awards: Best International Animation Feature Film
Pixar for ‘Ratatouille'
Best Animation Voice

Chetan Sashital of Chatter Box India

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