theOscarSite Bio: Born in Pensacola, FL, Mike Glad, producer and businessman, has spent over 35 years traveling to third world countries photographing the lives of indigenous peoples. His interest in documentary filmmaking began during his many years traveling through Mexico and Central America (particularly Guatemala) observing the changing traditions of the Mayan culture. In 2000, he partnered with filmmaker Leslie Iwerks to finance and produce THE SPIRIT OF THE MAYA, about the modern Mayan culture. In 2002, they embarked on RECYCLED LIFE about the thousands of people who have made their living in the Guatemala City garbage dump.

Glad has assembled an internationally known collection of animation art, housed in the Glad Family Trust Collection. He loans it out to major animation art exhibits such as the Cartoon Art Museum in Boca Raton, Florida (formerly in Rye Brook, New York), the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles and other institutions. These have been large shows on a variety of topics including: Disney villains; the Gems of Disney; art from FANTASIA; art from SNOW WHITE; art from the Fleischer Studio; watercolor studies for BAMBI; a Bugs Bunny show; animation art from WW II; and a selection of rare cartoon posters for animated shorts and features. A DUMBO show in Florida featured storyboard art from each scene in the feature. "The Best of Soviet Animation" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences featured rare items from the 1920s to present. "The Gems of Disney" was a pre-War selection that ranged from 1920s "Alice" shorts to DUMBO.

Glad is presently working with a museum curator on a show of material from stop-motion productions. The exhibit will contain material from several countries and some will date back to pioneers including George Pal and Lou Bunin. The show will also feature modern masters like Henry Selick.

The owner of a chain of auto muffler stores, he currently resides in Modesto, CA.

· Achievement in Documentary Short Subjects 2006: RECYCLED LIFE (w. Leslie Iwerks)