reaction to the short film was positive. carl cortez of "if" called "presto" a "winner through and through". jake coyle of the "associated press" found "presto" to be "a delightful and cartoonish appetizer" which kept the tradition of short pre feature films alive. darren bevan of television new zealand thought that although "wall-e" was a "delightful tale" and "truly gorgeous", "presto" "very nearly stole "wall-e's" thunder". james sanford of the "kalamazoo gazette" called the short a superb and hilarious curtain raiser, describing it as a bugs bunny "looney tunes" version of "the prestige". "presto" was nominated for the 36th annie award for best animated short subject. the short was also nominated for the academy award for best animated short film, but lost to "la maison en petits cubes".