Theodore Ushev recognized as the most influential animator of the past 25 years

Bulgarian multimedia artist Theodore Ushev was voted the world's most influential animator of the past 25 years, BTA was informed by the artist's team.

An international survey asked leading critics, journalists, curators and festival directors to name the most influential names in animation over the past quarter century. The respondents in the survey singled out Bulgarian animator, illustrator and director Theodore Ushev, followed by animators Regina Pessoa (Portugal), Koji Yamamura (Japan) and Igor Kovalyov (Russia/USA).

The survey also recognized Spirited Away by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki as the best animated fantasy film. The survey was conducted by the curators of the Animac animation festival in Lleida and Barcelona's cultural center among 25 experts and historians around the world.

Over the past 15 years, Theodore Ushev has been working with the National Film Board of Canada. His filmography includes over 15 titles that have won more than 200 international awards, including an Oscar nomination. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters of France.