Last month, ASIFA-Hollywood, in collaboration with animation industry artists, professionals and studios, announced the launch of AnimAID, a fundraising campaign to support those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The initiative aims to provide critical funds to artists and professionals working within the animation industry, many of whom have lost their homes or faced major displacement due to the crisis.
The campaign kicked off at the 2025 ASIFA-Hollywood 52nd Annual Annie Awards. Now, AnimAID will begin its next chapter, culminating in an online auction in partnership with Sotheby’s, set to take place April 23-30, 2025. Titled The Art of Animation, the online auction can be accessed at https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/animaid-the-art-of-animation
The auction will feature a treasure trove of rare and one-of-a-kind pieces of animation history tied to some of the most beloved films and television classics, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Simpsons, Inside Out, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Wild Robot, Beauty and the Beast, and more. The lots will include original drawings, paintings, animation cels, signed posters, maquette figures and unique experiences — all donated by leading studios including Nickelodeon, Paramount, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., DreamWorks Animation, and Sony Pictures Animation, among others — who, inspired by this remarkable cause, have come together to curate an exceptional selection of prized artworks and exclusive experiences from the world of animation.
Highlights of the exhibition will span 90 years of animation history, including a black-and-white story sketch from Tortoise and the Hare (1935) alongside a color pencil drawing of Woody and Buzz Lightyear (2025), created specifically to benefit AnimAID, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story release.
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| "To infinity and beyond!" | Original Drawing of Woody and Buzz by John Lasseter (Toy Story, Pixar Animation Studios) |
“AnimAID is a powerful reminder of the unity and compassion that define our animation community,” said Aubry Mintz, AnimAID & ASIFA-Hollywood Executive Director. “As we face the devastating aftermath of the wildfires, this initiative allows us to come together not only to provide essential relief, but also to honor the artists and professionals who have given so much to the world of animation. We are deeply grateful for the generous support from all our collaborators, and we are thrilled to share these iconic pieces of animation history with the public.”
Many of these rare, original pieces have never been seen by the public. They were displayed at Sotheby’s New York galleries from April 11–15, with the auction opening for bidding online from April 23–30. Proceeds will directly benefit over 70 animation families who have been affected by the disaster. In addition, ASIFA-Hollywood will host a series of events aimed at raising funds and fostering community support for animation artists and professionals in need. More information can be found here.
“We are honored to partner with ASIFA-Hollywood and numerous animation studios in support of AnimAID,” said Ian Ferreyra de Bone, Sotheby’s Luxury Division Managing Director. “This auction is not only an opportunity to celebrate the rich history of animation but also to contribute to a cause that’s incredibly impactful for the animation community. The pieces we are offering — many of which have never been seen by the public before — capture the artistry and creativity that have shaped animation for generations and created cherished childhood memories for so many of us. We are excited to share these extraordinary works with collectors and fans, knowing that every bid will directly support animation artists”
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| Cel from 'Here’s to You, Mickey Mouse!' (Walt Disney Animation Studios) |
Offering a glimpse into the creative process behind some of the most beloved films and television shows, highlights of the auction cover many eras, techniques and aesthetics from the world of animation. All items will be offered with no reserve, with estimates ranging from $500 to over $25,000.
Anticipated top lots include the original drawing of Toy Story stars Woody and Buzz by John Lasseter, and a Mickey Mouse animation cel from the 1988 television special Here’s to You, Mickey Mouse!
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| 3D printed Pinocchio Replacement Faces (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Netflix) |
Each of the 3D-printed Pinocchio faces featured in this piece was directly used in the creation of the Academy Award-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022). The animation team meticulously stored each replacement face in humble pizza boxes, ensuring they were delivered to the right stage for specific scenes. As part of the Pinocchio exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, several of these boxes — complete with their iconic Pinocchio faces — were encased in sleek acrylic displays, preserving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the magic of stop-motion animation.
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| Storyboard sketches from 'Beauty and the Beast' (Walt Disney Animation Studios) |
Storyboards were actually invented by animators. Highlights from this collection include a storyboard from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Pixar’s Academy Award-winning Brave, Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer spinoff Go, Diego, Go!, and panels from directors Chris Williams (Disney’s Frozen) and Chris Sanders (DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot). Also featured are storyboard drawings from Disney legends Burny Mattinson and Lorna Cook for The Lion King (1994). Additionally, signed storyboards from Avatar: The Last Airbender capture a key moment of Katara mastering her waterbending skills, drawn by director Lauren Montgomery and signed by creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino.
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| Norman maqueet by Kent Melton and memorabilia from 'ParaNorman' (LAIKA) |
Maquettes, small sculptures of animated characters, have been used since the early days for both stop-motion and traditional animation. A captivating example is the Original Norman Maquette from comedy-horror film ParaNorman. An extraordinary piece that seamlessly bridges the gap between initial character design and the final puppet. Maquettes are more than just models; they serve as essential reference points for both character and design, providing a rare, tactile preview of what the character will ultimately look and feel like. This particular maquette, meticulously hand-sculpted by one of the greatest character designers Kent Melton and donated by the LAIKA Archives, offers a glimpse into the artistry behind one of stop-motion’s most iconic characters.
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| Emily character design by Tim Burton and Carlos Grangel for 'Corpse Bride' (Tim Burton Productions / LAIKA / Warner Bros.) |
This original character design of Emily from Corpse Bride, co-created by Tim Burton and character designer Carlos Grangel, provides an intimate look into the development of one of the most unforgettable characters in animated cinema. Corpse Bride is the first stop-motion feature film directed by Burton after previously producing The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and James and the Giant Peach (1996). Emily was voiced by Helena Bonham Carter.
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| 'Exhausted SpongeBob' cel from 'SpongeBob SquarePants' – 'Nature Pants' (Nickelodeon) |
An original animation cel from the iconic SpongeBob SquarePants episode “Nature Pants” captures one of the most viral moments from the show. Depicting SpongeBob, exhausted, out of breath and pantless, after being chased by his best friend Patrick through the treacherous Jellyfish Fields, this cel perfectly encapsulates the humor and lighthearted fun of Stephen Hillenburg’s magnificent underwater universe.
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| LEGO Figurines of Dan Lin, Phil Lord, and Chris Miller ('The LEGO Movie', Warner Bros.) |
These large LEGO figurines, modeled after the filmmakers of The LEGO Movie, were crafted by the studio and presented as a gift to Dan Lin, Phil Lord and Chris Miller following the film’s release. Each figurine is signed by the respective filmmaker, making them a unique and personal memento from the production.
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| 'The Simpsons' original production cel (20th Television / Gracie Films) |
An extraordinary and highly collectible piece of The Simpsons history. This vibrant original production cel captures Homer Simpson in the act of breaking up a mischievous altercation between his children, Bart and Lisa. It’s a snapshot of the family dynamics that have made The Simpsons a pop culture phenomenon for decades.
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| 'Removing the quills' original sketch for 'The Wild Robot' by Chris Sanders (DreamWorks Animation) |
An original sketch by the renowned filmmaker Chris Sanders captures a poignant moment from his beloved film The Wild Robot, in which Roz tenderly removes quills from Fink. The film, acclaimed for its emotional depth and storytelling, received numerous accolades, including nine Annie Awards, the Critics’ Choice and Producers Guild of America Award, as well as three Academy Award nominations, making it the most Oscar nominated film by DreamWorks Animation.
At the heart of the auction are exclusive, personalized, and experiential offerings, providing once-in- a-lifetime opportunities for animation fans and collectors. These include a custom character design and original drawing by Nico Marlet, the Annie Award winning character designer behind DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and The Prince of Egypt. Sony Pictures Animation is offering the winning bidder a unique chance to voice a minor character in the highly anticipated upcoming theatrical feature, GOAT. Personal, behind-the-scenes tours of iconic animation studios such as Disney, Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks and Lucasfilm will be available, along with meet-and- greets with artists and filmmakers.
Also on offer is a VIP experience on the Santa Rosa, California grounds where Charles “Sparky” Schulz, creator of the beloved Peanuts, gang worked and played for more than 30 years. This includes a Director’s Tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum, a tour of Sparky’s office, a one-of-a-kind hands-on demo by Creative Director Emeritus Paige Braddock, and exclusive access to Sparky’s private studio — normally off-limits to the public. The day will also include ice-skating, followed by lunch and hot cocoa at the Warm Puppy Café, making it a truly unforgettable journey through the legacy of an animation legend. These exclusive experiences provide an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the creative minds behind some of the greatest animated films of our time.
All images courtesy of Sotheby’s.
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Originally published: April 23, 2025.
Original source: Animation Magazine; H/T: Special thanks to RegularCapital for the news!
