ASIFA-Hollywood Launches Will Ryan Excellence in Humor Award

 URL: the-silicon-review/Feb-2026/

ASIFA-Hollywood announces the Will Ryan Excellence in Humor Award grant program, funded by a $60,000 gift from the family of the late animation icon.

ASIFA-Hollywood has launched the Will Ryan Excellence in Humor Award, a new grant program recognizing emerging animators whose work advances the innovative future of animation with a distinct emphasis on comedy. The inaugural details will be unveiled February 21 at the 53rd Annual Annie Awards, held at UCLA's Royce Hall.

The award honors Will Ryan, the humorist, author, animator, voice actor, songwriter, and former ASIFA-Hollywood president whose career spanned more than 50 film and television productions. Ryan, instantly recognizable by his signature cowboy hat, received a 1997 Annie nomination for Best Song in an Animated Production for "The Elmo Aardvark Song," from the web series he created. A devoted philanthropist, Ryan established the Will Ryan Trust with his wife Nancy Niparko specifically to "give back" to the animation community that defined his life's work.

"Will always identified as someone from the animation world," said Niparko. "It's no surprise he directed his legacy to ASIFA, with the intention of supporting individuals with unique, promising animation projects that make people laugh." The program is funded by a generous $60,000 gift from Ryan's family.

ASIFA-Hollywood executive director Aubry Mintz emphasized the timing's significance, noting the animation industry has faced considerable challenges and many artists are feeling the weight of that struggle. "Thanks to the generosity of the Will Ryan family, we can offer this award as both financial support and heartfelt recognition of the creativity and dedication behind this work."

Applications will be accepted annually. Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are available at  https://staging.asifa-hollywood.org/programs/will-ryan-award/.