The Big Sleep
The Big Sleep pays tribute to directors who have passed away over the past year: Fred Crippen, Grant Munro and Isao Takahata.
The Big Sleep runs alongside the core of the Annecy Festival and pays tribute to the big names in animation who have passed away. For this year's Big Sleep, retrospectives are planned to celebrate their work and involvement in the world of animated film.
Fred Crippen
Tribute to this key player in the development of televised animation
An iconoclastic animator and director who was born in 1928, Fred Crippen started in the New York animation industry at the beginning of the 1950s. He notably joined the United Productions of America (UPA) studio, then Pantomime Pictures. Acknowledged as one of the most inventive directors of the UPA, he produced hundreds of films, advertisements, children's films, televised projects and other animated projects during his career. Following his death this year, the Big Sleep invites you to rediscover some of his work during the retrospective dedicated to him.
Grant Munro
Immersion into the world of Grant Munro, who made a mark on his era with his interpretations and creativity
Grant Munro, who is from a Canadian background, was recognised for his eclecticism from a very early age. He was interested in sculpture, dance and creating flip books, and studied at Ontario College of Arts. His professional background allowed him to join the National Film Board of Canada and to rub shoulders with the legends of animation, such as Norman McLaren. His film career was diversified, just like the technical and aesthetic variety of his work, which led him to take part in various projects as a co-director, director, actor, dancer and even mime!
Grant Munro, who passed away last year, was a member of the jury at the 1960 Annecy Festival and was nominated on many occasions, notably alongside Norman McLaren.
Isao Takahata
Tribute to the legend of Japanese animated cinema, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and creator of Grave of the Fireflies
Born in 1935 in Ise, Japan, Isao Takahata created Studio Ghibli in 1985 with his friend Hayao Miyazaki. There were subsequently twenty films released for which they received widespread recognition. Spirited Away notably received an Oscar in 2003.
He was welcomed to Annecy in 2014 for the screening of his film The Tale of the Princess Kaguya during the opening ceremony. He also received the first Honorary Cristal in the history of the Festival. Following his death this year, Annecy Festival will pay tribute to him with a dedicated programme celebrating his work and contribution to animated cinema.
