As it turned out, Wes Anderson was in fact on hand to accept his Special Achievement Prize from the National Board of Review last night-- but that didn't stop him from sending a proxy in his place anyway. Anderson and his Fantastic Mr. Fox team put together an adorable animated acceptance speech, in which a flustered weasel version of Anderson accepts the award, then hands it off to a friend and thanks everyone involved in the production via a scrolling series of words over his head.

If you've seen Fantastic Mr. Fox, you'll find it just as endearing as the movie. And if you haven't seen it, I have a feeling that after watching this speech, you'll either loathe Wes Anderson even more or finally have a good reason to see it. Check out the acceptance speech, which the in-person Anderson then followed up with a live-action thank you, below.