Auction Off Animation History and Rarities to Fund Los Angeles Wildfire Emergency Aid
Sotheby's Auction Goes Animated to Aid LA Wildfire Victims
The animation industry, teaming up with ASIFA-Hollywood, is throwing a lifeline to industry folk struggling in the wake of LA's wildfires, launching the AnimAID fundraising blast. Top-tier studios such as Disney, Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks Animation, and Nickelodeon have contributing precious pieces of animation artwork for this epic Sotheby's sale!
The online auction gets underway, hoping to fortify the livelihoods of artists and professionals within the animation biz, who've been displaced or suffered home loss in the ongoing LA reconstruction. Animator Don Hahn (Beauty and The Beast, Howard) took to Instagram to rally the cause:
"LA's wildfires ravaged our animation community. But now, the animation world stands united as we donate ours treasures to Sotheby's for this extraordinary auction. The profits? They'll directly aid victims of the LA fires!"
Expect mind-blowing artistry spanning 90 years and beyond, as we delve into titans like Snow White, The Simpsons, Inside Out, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Wild Robot, Beauty and the Beast, and more iconic flicks and series.
Don Hahn also said, "Remember, every bid counts! It helps folks rebuild their houses and lives."
Bidding's livin' large now, and here's a sneak peek of the goodies on offer – from artist commissions, studio tours, signed posters to original drawings and animation cells.
Sotheby's is the place to be for the live auction and all the deets.
For more io9 news, catch up on the latest updates from the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, upcoming events in the DC Universe (on-screen and off), and everything you need to know about the future Doctor Who.
Footnotes:
- Animation industry professionals and artists affected by the LA wildfires
- Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studios (Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Television Animation, Marvel Animation, and Lucasfilm Animation), Warner Bros., DreamWorks Animation, and Sony Pictures Animation
- Items include original drawings, paintings, animation cels, signed posters, maquette figures, and exclusive experiences related to films like SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Simpsons, Inside Out, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Beauty and the Beast, and more.
- The auction took place from April 23 to May 6, 2025.
- Proceeds will directly benefit animation families impacted by the wildfires.
- In addition to the animation industry's relief efforts, publications like io9, Gizmodo, and others focused on lifestyle, home-and-garden, sustainable-living, technology, and more, are rallying support for wildfire victims.
- The amalgamation of toys-and-collectibles from these affected animation studios, including Nickelodeon, Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and others, could make any collector's heart race with excitement.
- Not just artwork, the auction offers unique experiences such as artist commissions, studio tours, and signed posters, transforming the Sotheby's auction into a dream come true for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
- As the auction comes to a close on May 6, 2025, it's a testament to the power of unity and the future impact of sustainable living and thoughtful consumption – ensuring a better tomorrow for both our planet and its people.
