Once again, I’d like to congratulate the Peter and the Wolf team on their Oscar win, as well as congratulate all the nominees on their wonderful films. Check out a few exclusive pics from the Big Night.

Is that a Surf's Up cast member or AWN publisher Dan Sarto? © 2008 AWN Inc.

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The night before the Big Night was a chance for the animation community to come together for the 18th annual Chocolate Fosca party, which was hosted by Marilyn Zornado and Libby Simon at the home of Renate Kempowski and Paul Demeyer. The annual event was originally started by Mike Gribble, the co-founder of the Spike & Mike festival, as a way to celebrate the animated shorts nominees. Originally called the Chocolate Oscars, the event was renamed after Fosca, a character from Marv Newland’s Anijam, after the Academy objected to the creation of chocolate Oscars. View the fun that was had by all.

Sam adds his drawing to the book filled with past tour members' sketches. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Peter and the Wolf director Suzie Templeton and indie animator Rosto meet the Spike & Mike Festival co-founder Spike Decker. © 2008 AWN Inc.

NFB exec producer David Verrall (l) relates a funny tale to Tom Perlmutter and I Met the Walrus illustrator James Braithwaite. © 2008 AWN Inc.

My Love composer Normand Roger (l) tries to stay dry on the patio with director Alexander Petrov. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Chocolate Foscas hosts Marilyn Zornado (r) and Libby Simon introduce the presentation of the prizes. © 2008 AWN Inc.

The sweetest prize in animation - the Chocolate Fosca. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Sam and producer Simon Vanesse said they entered Even Pigeons as a joke and now it has turned into their dream. © 2008 AWN Inc.

With I Met the Walrus designer Alex Kurina (r to l) standing by, director Josh Raskin said that illustrator James Braithwaite's Fosca speech was so good that if they win he's speaking. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Compositor Paul George (l) says it was a privilege to work the whole Madame Tutli-Putli team - Chris, Maciek, producer Marcy Page (who gave him her Fosca) and David. © 2008 AWN Inc.

David shows off his Canadian maple leaf tie that he received from Spike & Mike co-founder Mike Gribble. © 2008 AWN Inc.

My Love producer Dmitri Yurkov translating for Alexander says that the director feels the animation community in Russia is like family and is thrilled that he can come to L.A. and feel the same way. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Suzie introduces her collaborators - lead animator Adam Wyrwas, DP Hugh Gordon and co-producer Zbigniew Zmudzki. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Josh adds an appropriate drawing to the Spike & Mike Sick & Twisted sketch banner. © 2008 AWN Inc.

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The day before the Oscars DreamWorks hosts a brunch at Campanile. Look at the animation who’s who gallery.

Alexander ( r to l) poses for a pic with Madame Tutli-Putli producer Marcy Page and his wife Natasha. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Peter and the Wolf producer Alan Dewhurst with his wife and child. © 2008 AWN Inc.

AWN interim editor Jon Hofferman (r) and My Love composer Normand Roger. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Peter and the Wolf director Suzie Templeton and indie animator Rosto. © 2008 AWN Inc.

DreamWorks animator Dave Burgess (r to l), his wife and Alexander. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Ron Diamond and author William Joyce. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Peter and the Wolf producer Hugh Welchman (middle) talks with Surf's Up director Chris Buck. © 2008 AWN Inc.

I Met the Walrus illustrator James Braithwaite talks with Diane Ikemiyashiro from DreamWorks Animation development. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Suzie, Rosto and AWN publisher Dan Sarto. © 2008 AWN Inc.

I Met the Walrus producer Jerry Levitan jumps in the middle for a photo with Suzie and Rosto. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Bee Movie director Steve Hickner (l) converses with The Art of Bee Movie author Jerry Beck. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Over the Hedge helmer Tim Johnson listens to Academy chair Jon Bloom. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Madame Tutli-Putli director Chris Lavis (l) talks with his girlfriend and I Met the Walrus director Josh Raskin about the day's plans. © 2008 AWN Inc.

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Each year Alain Dudoit, the Consul General of Canada, Los Angeles, hosts a star-studded event to celebrate the Oscar nominees from Canada. Check out who the Madame Tutli-Putli and I Met the Walrus filmmakers got to meet.

Alain Dudoit (r to l) and Juno director Jason Reitman join the nominees for a photo. © 2008 AWN Inc.

A little Canadian promotion. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Marcy Page. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Consul General Alain Duboit congratulates the Canadian Oscar nominees. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Jerry is introduced to Julie Christie, who was at the event in support of her Oscar nominated performance in the Canadian production, Away from Her. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Producer Jerry Levitan and Oscar nominee Josh Raskin. © 2008 AWN Inc.

I Met the Walrus illustrator James Braithwaite gives his proud mom a kiss. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Maciek shares a laugh with actor Garth Gilker and Acme Filmworks owner Ron Diamond. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Guests ward off the rainy weather under the tent set up in the courtyard of the consul residence. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Chris and Maciek answer questions for the Canadian reporters. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Josh and Jerry answer questions from a CTV report. © 2008 AWN Inc.

James Braithwaite and Ron Diamond. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Sparkling gifts for the filmmakers. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Jerry grabs his gift. © 2008 AWN Inc.

The gracious Ms. Christie poses for a picture with Jerry. © 2008 AWN Inc.

As she waits for her car, Julie Christie stops for a photo with NFB producer Marcy Page and NFB exec producer David Verrall. © 2008 AWN Inc.

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On Thursday, Feb. 24th, the Oscar Showcase tour pulled into DreamWorks. View the fun we had there.

The studio tour begins in the theater lobby. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Hugh prepares for another wicked serve from Ron. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Reining tour ping-pong champ Hugh Welchman takes on another challenge from I Met the Walrus illustrator James Braithwaite. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Ron introduces author William Joyce (far right) to the filmmakers - (middle ccw) I Met the Walrus director Josh Raskin, Hugh and Madame Tutli-Putli producer Marcy Page. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Ron talks with literary agent Michael Siegal and Bill Joyce. © 2008 AWN Inc.

At DreamWorks lunch, Marcy catches up with animator Dave Burgess. © 2008 AWN Inc.

James listens to David Verrall explaining the NFB's approach to 3-D films. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Oscar-nominated director of Badgered, Sharon Colman, who now works in DreamWorks' story department. © 2008 AWN Inc.

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After a long day at Disney, the evening of Feb. 20th was for fun. Check out the photos from the annual Acme/AWN Oscar party.

The party gave tour members a chance to sit back and enjoy some good food. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Josh and Walrus illustrator James Braithwaite (l) talk with 2007 live-action short winner Ari Sandel. © 2008 AWN Inc.

AWN publisher Dan Sarto (l to r) poses for a pic with eDIT Festival's Sebastian Popp and Rolf Kraemer, and his wife Debbie Sarto. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Madame Tutli-Putli director Maciek Szczerbowski (r to l) chats with his co-director Chris Lavis and exec producer David Verrall. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Gotham Group agent Peter McHugh (r to l) talks with Even Pigeons Go To Heaven director Samuel Tourneux, Simon and Lucie. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Sam (r to l) chats with fellow Frenchmen, Overtime director Oury Atlan and Tomas Kantelinen. © 2008 AWN Inc.

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On Feb. 20th, the day belonged to Disney on the Oscar Showcase tour. Here is the photographic evidence.

Madame Tutli-Putli director Chris Lavis, I Met the Walrus director Josh Raskin and Walrus illustrator James Braithwaite. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Josh meets veteran Disney animator Andreas Deja. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Maciek introduces himself to Little Mermaid director John Musker, who is currently working on The Princess and the Frog. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Walt Disney Animation Studios EVP Andrew Millstein drops by for lunch. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Ed Catmull. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Disney PR exec Howard Green introduces himself to Peter and the Wolf director Suzie Templeton. © 2008 AWN Inc.

The lunch gave Josh a chance to talk with Andreas, while Lorenzo director Mike Gabriel chats with Peter and the Wolf producer Hugh Welchman. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Oscar-winner Suzie Templeton and indie animator Rosto listen to Mike Gabriel, a past Oscar nominee. © 2008 AWN Inc.

I Met the Walrus producer Jerry Levitan. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Pocahontas director Mike Gabriel. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Kevin Deters, director of the Goofy short, How to Hook Up Your Home Theater, chats with Even Pigeons Go To Heaven director Samuel Tourneux. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Madame Tutli-Putli producer Marcy Page, along with NFB exec producer David Verrall, is impressed with the multiplane camera. © 2008 AWN Inc.

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On the evening of Feb. 19th, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences hosted a screening of the animated and live-action shorts. Check out the pictures from the star-studded event.

Madame Tutli-Putli director Chris Lavis chats with animation director Bill Kroyer. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Ice Age director Chris Wedge and Sony SVP Barry Weiss pose for a pic. © 2008 AWN Inc.

I Met the Walrus producer Jerry Levitan sits by a pic of the man he interviewed when he was 14 years old. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Animator Rosto, Pixar Story director Leslie Iwerks and Peter and the Wolf director Suzie Templeton. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Madame Tutli-Putli producer Marcy Page (l to r) and NFB exec producer David Verrall chat with commercial animation producer Bob Kurtz. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Madame Tutli-Putli directors Maciek Szczerbowski and Chris Lavis answer reporters' questions. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Peter and the Wolf producer Alan Dewhurst, Suzie, film star Peter and Hugh talk to reporters. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Even Pigeons Go To Heaven director Samuel Tourneux and producer Simon Vanesse answer questions from a French-speaking reporter. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Oscar tour host Ron Diamond gets a moment to catch up with Chris Wedge. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Animation stars John Lasseter and Bill Kroyer. © 2008 AWN Inc.

I Met the Walrus director Josh Raskin answers questions from a Fox News reporter. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Executive Committee Chair Jon Bloom and Jon Lasseter. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Samuel Tourneux and Simon Vanesse. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Hugh posing with Peter puppet. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Madame Tutli-Putli team: David Verrall, Marcy Page, Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Chris Wedge shares a laugh with Jon Bloom. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Josh chats with L.A. Confidential director Curtis Hanson. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Jon Bloom highlights the growth of short films in theaters and the Internet. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Curtis Hanson hosts the Academy's Shorts! screening for a second time. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Simon and Sam listen to Curtis Hanson introduce the filmmakers to the packed audience. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

Josh points out his collaborators out in the crowd. Darren Decker /© 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

The Academy screening is one of the biggest events of the week leading up to the Oscars. © 2008 A.M.P.A.S.

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The second stop on the L.A. leg of the Oscar Showcase tour was on Tuesday, Feb. 19th at 20th Century Fox. So here are some more pics.

The tour members gather outside the screening room before the screening start. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Indie animator Rosto (l to r) chats with Suzie, Even Pigeons Go To Heaven producer Simon Vanesse, BUF producer Lucie Bloze and I Met the Walrus producer Jerry Levitan. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Jerry, tour host Ron Diamond and Simon get to know each other over a cup of Joe. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Madame Tutli-Putli producer Marcy Page and NFB exec producer David Verrall. © 2008 AWN Inc.

Ron asks Peter and the Wolf producer Alan Dewhurst about his tour experience thus far. © 2008 AWN Inc.

How did Jerry, Walrus director Josh Raskin and Walrus illustrator James Braithwaite get from Fox to NYC so fast? © 2008 AWN Inc.

The nominees asnwer questions from the Fox execs. © 2008 AWN Inc.

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At 20th Century Fox, I Met the Walrus producer Jerry Levitan talks about interviewing John Lennon when he was 14 years old.

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