PIXAR'S JIM MORRIS TO RECEIVE 'VES FOUNDERS AWARD'
Morris is currently producing Disney’s John Carter of Mars for release in 2012. He produced Pixar’s Wall-E, which won the Oscar for “Best Animated” film in 2009, and also served as production executive on Ratatouille, Up, Toy Story 3 and Pixar’s upcoming Cars 2, Brave and Monsters, Inc. 2.
Prior to Pixar, Morris worked for Lucasfilm and its divisions for 17 years. He served as president of Lucas Digital Ltd. for 11 years, and concurrently served as ILM's GM. Under his leadership, ILM created the Academy Award-winning visual effects seen in Jurassic Park, Death Becomes Her, Forrest Gump, and over 150 other films.
“Jim Morris was the founding chair of the Visual Effects Society,” notes current VES chair, Jeffrey A. Okun. “His consistent, tireless efforts have guided the VES to become ‘The Final Word on all things VFX.’ His unique talent, insights and generosity of spirit are qualities we treasure.”
Previous winners of the Founders Award are Jonathan Erland, Harrison Ellenshaw, Ray Feeney and Bill Taylor.