The Princess and The Frog 10th Anniversary

Last night, the excellent Disney animated feature, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, was screened at the Motion Picture Academy as part of the Marc Davis Celebration of Animation series. The presentation opened with a live rousing number sung by ANIKA NONI ROSE (the voice of the Princess) backed by Kenna Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans jazz band. Then came a panel hosted by 16 year old QUVENZHANE WALLIS ("Beasts of the Southern Wild", "Annie") which featured artists and actors who made the film: RON CLEMENTS (director), KEITH DAVID (voice of "Dr. Facilier"), PETER DEL VECHO (Producer), ROB EDWARDS (Writer) , JENNIFER LEWIS (voice of "Mama Odie") , RANDY NEWMAN (music and songwriter extraordinaire), BRUCE W. SMITH (animator), MARLON WEST (effects animator), MICHAEL-LEON WOODLEY (voice of "Louis the Alligator") and ANIKA NONI ROSE. The film is the brilliant example of the art of hand-drawn Disney animation, and the evening was a fitting tribute to the movie's ten year anniversary!

Here I am with the hilarious actress JENNIFER LEWIS!

Here I am with actor KEITH DAVID!