Max Winston Will Receive Will Ryan Humor Award
The RatBat Studios founder will accept the inaugural honor at the LightBox Expo in Los Angeles on October 24.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Animation
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ASIFA-Hollywood has named animator Max Winston as the recipient of the first-ever Will Ryan Excellence in Humor award. Winston will formally receive the honor during a panel scheduled for October 24, 2026.
Why it matters
The new award celebrates significant contributions to humor in animation, recognizing artists who continue the comedic legacy of the late Will Ryan. This inaugural selection highlights the work of a prominent industry figure in the Los Angeles animation scene.
The award presentation panel is scheduled for October 24, 2026, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Room 211.
The players
Max Winston
He is an animator and the head of RatBat Studios who previously worked on Robot Chicken.
ASIFA-Hollywood
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of animation that manages this new award.
Will Ryan
He was a celebrated voice actor and musician known for his comedic contributions to the animation industry.
LightBox Expo
This is a large-scale event held in Los Angeles that gathers artists and creators from the animation and illustration fields.
The details
Winston is a 2008 CalArts graduate and the founder of Los Angeles-based RatBat Studios, which has operated since 2009. His career includes work on projects such as Robot Chicken, Titan Maximum, and the Looney Tunes Cartoons short Daffy in Wackyland.
Timeline
Max Winston graduated from CalArts in 2008.
RatBat Studios began operations in 2009.
Max Winston will receive the award at LightBox Expo on October 24, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This award represents a new recognition program within the broader landscape of industry honors managed by ASIFA-Hollywood. It follows a historical trend of professional guilds establishing specialized categories to celebrate specific artistic disciplines like comedic timing.
Fans and industry professionals attending the LightBox Expo can access the awards ceremony during the scheduled Cartoon Comedy panel. Entry to this session is limited to those with valid event credentials for the day of the presentation.
The takeaway
The inaugural award recognizes how specific artistic careers in animation evolve from early education to industry leadership. Fans of the medium should watch for how such honors shape the prestige of comedic animation projects.
What happens next
The award will be presented during the Cartoon Comedy panel on October 24, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local industry events, see Animation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Animation Magazine.
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Do you find that modern animation captures the same humor as the classic cartoons?
