Dave Filoni will add a new award to his shelf, and this one is one of the most prestigious ones in the business. The recently promoted Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm will receive the George Pal Memorial Award, part of the 51st Saturn Awards, presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films, as reported by Variety.
Academy President Robert Holguin and Saturn Awards producers Bradley and Kevin Marcus shared a joint statement about Filoni's importance to the Star Wars franchise and animation, stating:
"Dave’s work has had a profound impact on the ‘Star Wars‘ franchise, breathing new life into beloved characters and expanding the universe in exciting and unexpected ways. He is a true visionary in the world of animation and storytelling, and we are truly honored to bestow this very special award to him."
Geroge Pal was a legendary creator and animator, and this award is considered one of the top honors in the business. Filoni will join an elite group of recipients, including Kathleen Kennedy, Guillermo del Toro, Ray Harryhausen, John Carpenter, and Sam Raimi.
While Filoni's focus has been more in the world of live-action as of late, he was mentored by George Lucas to create a variety of shows over the years with Lucasfilm Animation. Whether it was being the showrunner like with Star Wars: The Clone Wars or co-creating a series with Jennifer Corbett like The Bad Batch, he has left his mark on the franchise. Recently, he continued these stories in Ahsoka. It's exciting to see Filoni recognized for his work in the franchise.
The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films will present the George Pal Memorial Award at the 51st Saturn Awards. The show is on February 4 and will be hosted by Joel McHale. Fans can tune in at 4 p.m. PT on ElectricNow to watch the ceremony.