Walt Disney Animation Studios turns 100 years old this year, and throughout Disney’s 100th anniversary, we’ve already witnessed a lot of magic. Over the last 100 years, so many Disney Cast Members have had a hand in creating the magic of Disney. Recently, a famed Disney animator celebrated by sharing original animations from a Walt Disney original.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Turns 100
The company officially turned 100 on October 16, 2023, a day celebrated at Disney Parks worldwide. From the Disneyland Resort in California to Shanghai Disneyland, all of the Disney Parks have celebrated the company’s centennial. In Disneyland Paris, 100 characters paraded down Main Street, U.S.A., with 100 Disney VoluntEARS.
The most notable tribute was Walt Disney Animation Studios’ short film, Once Upon A Studio, released in celebration of the anniversary. The short film featured 543 characters from over 85 different feature-length and short films. The short film features hundreds of Disney characters gathering together outside of Walt Disney Animation Studios to capture a photo celebrating 100 years.
Related: ‘Once Upon A Studio’ May Have Featured an Unexpected Disney Icon
Once Upon a Studio was dedicated to Burny Mattison, a legend at the Walt Disney Company. Mattinson was the company’s employee with the most years of service, 70 years as an employee at the Walt Disney Company. Dedicated Cast Members and artists contributed to 100 years of Walt Disney’s legacy.
Kevin Lima
Kevin Lima, an American film director, is one such contributor that we have to thank for several popular Disney animated features. Lima famously directed A Goofy Movie (1995), Tarzan (1999), 102 Dalmatians (2000), and Enchanted (2007). Additionally, one fan and colleague, Henrieke Goorhuis, called out Lima on social media for his credit in an older animated feature.
In a social media post, Goodrhuis asked, ” @GoofyMovieDir I just noticed your name in the credits of Soccer Mania, what shots did you work on? I found a DVD release of it 15+ years ago at a pharmacy of all places, it was like I won the jackpot. It has always been my favorite animated adaptation of the duck comics.”
Lima responded that Soccermania (1987) “was the first or second professional gig I animated on. I was a senior at CalArts. I’ll dig up a couple of drawings I still have from the project and post them.”
In response, Lima shared original animations he found from his work on Sport Goofy in Soccermania (1987).
I promised @HenriekeDraws I’d dig up some Sport Goofy in Soccermania animation I’d done back in 1985! If I’m remembering correctly, it was my first professional gig. I believe I have some Beagle Boys animation roughs, somewhere.#Goofy #Disney #animation pic.twitter.com/sQe5xP7vaK
— Kevin Lima (@GoofyMovieDir) November 14, 2023
Credit: @GoofyMovieDir, Twitter
For his first professional gig, we love the energy and emotion that Lima put into Goofy. It’s so fun to see these beginning sketches from before he worked on legendary films like Tarzan. Sport Goofy in Soccermania is a fun animated classic featuring Goofy coaching the iconic ducks Huey, Dewey, and Louie to win their soccer tournament.
Kevin Lima often shares content on his social media featuring the characters from his films. We hope that he will continue to share unique content featuring his sketches in the future.
Do you remember Sport Goofy? Let us know in the comments below!