Winsor McCay and Gertie the Dinosaur at the 41st Annie Awards

At the 41st Annie Awards, voice actor Bill Farmer portrayed Winsor McCay and introduced the dinosaur that would eventually become an icon in animation.

Released on February 8, 1914, Gertie the Dinosaur is the earliest animated film to feature a dinosaur. Winsor McCay first used the film before live audiences as an interactive part of his vaudeville act; the frisky, childlike Gertie did tricks at the command of her master.

Named after the animation pioneer, the Winsor McCay Award is a very special award given to individuals in recognition of lifetime or career contributions to the art of animation in producing, directing, animating, design, writing, voice acting, sound and sound effects, technical work, music, professional teaching, and for other endeavors which exhibit outstanding contributions to excellence in animation.

The Winsor McCay Award stands as one of the highest honors given to an individual in the animation industry.

For more information on the Annie Awards, visit the official website at www.annieawards.org.