Bradford Animation Festival Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Mackinnon and Saunders

Over the weekend Bradford Animation Festival awarded the BAF 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award to one of the world’s leading puppet and animation companies: Mackinnon & Saunders.

The award recognises the creativity, inspiration and overall achievement of some of the animation industry’s greatest names. Mackinnon and Saunders’ creativity and technical innovation has been seen in Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr.Fox, Barry Purves’ award-winning short films, and popular children’s television, including Bob the Builder and Raa-Raa the Noisy Lion.

Tim Burton himself surprised the company’s founders, Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders with a filmed message of congratulations that played in front of the sell-out audience at the National Media Museum who were there to congratulate the duo and look back at their work.

The director said: “Sorry I’m not there with you at the Bradford Animation Festival this year. I’ve loved working with you from the very beginning; you guys are true artists. It is always really inspirational and one of my favourite things to come and see you and work with you.

“Congratulations Peter and Ian and everyone who works at Mackinnon and Saunders. You are all great artists and you really deserve this award.”

Ian Mackinnon said: “We are terribly honoured, both Peter and myself, on behalf of the whole company. It is great recognition of the work the team has done over the past 20 years.”

Peter Saunders added: “It is extremely kind of the Bradford Animation Festival to present us with this honour. Mackinnon and Saunders is not just myself and Ian, it’s a huge team effort and there is a great deal of gratitude from us all.”

Deb Singleton, director of Bradford Animation Festival at the National Media Museum, said:
‘’This year is a really special edition of the Bradford Animation Festival; not only are we celebrating the festival’s 20th birthday, but also that of Mackinnon and Saunders. We are honoured to be handing over the award to Ian and Peter in recognition of their world renowned craftsmanship.’’

Both Mackinnon and Saunders and Bradford International Film Festival celebrated their 20th anniversary this year.