'Minions' studio Illumination gets honorary award from Pharrell / Photo: VALERIE MACON - AFP
-
Rheinmetall addresses row over CEO's Ukraine 'housewives' comment
-
Hungary's anxious rural voters will decide Orban's fate
-
Defiant Pochettino ready for 'even greater' Portugal test
-
Rohit and Rickelton power Mumbai to IPL win over Kolkata
-
Russian tanker nears Cuba, defying US oil blockade
-
'Project Hail Mary' tops N. America box office for second week
-
Forty new migratory species win international protection: UN body
-
Freed whale gets stranded again on German coast
-
Ter Stegen's World Cup chances 'very slim', says Nagelsmann
-
Pakistan hosts Saudi, Turkey, Egypt for talks on Mideast war
-
Tudor leaves after just seven games as Spurs battle for survival
-
Philipsen sprints to In Flanders Fields victory
-
In Israel, air raid sirens spark anxiety and dilemmas
-
Iran accuses US of plotting ground attack despite diplomatic talk
-
Vingegaard clinches Tour of Catalonia victory
-
Despondent Verstappen questions Formula One future
-
Two more arrests over attempted attack on US bank HQ in Paris
-
Nepal's ex-PM attends court hearing in protest crackdown case
-
Iran parliament speaker says US planning ground attack
-
Despondent Verstappen says Red Bull woes 'not sustainable'
-
Piastri says Japan second place 'as good as a win' for McLaren
-
Nepal's former energy minister arrested in graft probe
-
IOC reinstating gender tests 'a disrespect for women' - Semenya
-
Youngest F1 title leader Antonelli to keep 'raising bar' after Japan win
-
High hopes at China's gateway to North Korea as trains resume
-
Antonelli wins in Japan to become youngest F1 championship leader
-
Mercedes' Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix to take lead
-
Germany's WWII munitions a toxic legacy on Baltic Sea floor
-
Iran claims aluminium plant attacks in Gulf as Houthis join war
-
North Korea's Kim oversees test of high-thrust engine: state media
-
Five Apple anecdotes as iPhone maker marks 50 years
-
'Excited' Buttler rejuvenated for IPL after horror T20 World Cup
-
Ship insurers juggle war risks for perilous Gulf route
-
Helplines buzz with alerts from seafarers trapped in war
-
Let's get physical: Singapore's seniors turn to parkour
-
Indian tile makers feel heat of Mideast war energy crunch
-
At 50, Apple confronts its next big challenge: AI
-
Houthis missile attacks on Israel widen Middle East war
-
Massive protests against Trump across US on 'No Kings' day
-
Struggling Force lament missed opportunities after Chiefs defeat
-
Lakers guard Doncic gets one-game ban for accumulated technicals
-
Houthis claim missile attacks on Israel, entering Middle East war
-
NBA Spurs stretch win streak to eight in rout of Bucks
-
US lose 5-2 to Belgium in rude awakening for World Cup hosts
-
Sabalenka sinks Gauff to win second straight Miami Open title
-
Lebanon kids struggle to keep up studies as war slams school doors shut
-
Cherry blossoms, kite-flying and 'No Kings' converge on Washington
-
Britain's Kerr to target El Guerrouj's mile world record
-
Sailboats carrying aid reach Cuba after going missing: AFP journalist
-
Pakistan to host Saudi, Turkey, Egypt for talks on Mideast war
'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.
H.Portela--PC
