New York’s biggest animation award, the ASIFA-East Animation Festival, takes places this Sunday, May 3, at 6pm. This year is extra special as its the 40th(!) annual edition of the show. The festivities, comprised of an awards ceremony, film screening and reception, are FREE to all. It happens at the New School’s Tishman Auditorium (66 W. 12th Street). I attended last year and thought the event had a great vibe—casual, low-key, and lots of fun—which is an accurate description of the local animation scene as well.