Local animation is region’s best
ANIMATION is a powerful tool for storytelling, as well as communicating emotions and ideas.
It is becoming increasingly popular among kids and adults alike because it is engaging, entertaining and educational.
The use of animation allows visual content creators to stretch their imagination and creativity beyond words or even live-action films.
Recognising its importance, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), in collaboration with 17 South-east Asian countries and territories, recently organised the annual SEA Kre8tif! Awards to unearth and celebrate animation content creators for their outstanding work.
Held on Nov 9, the contest garnered more than 100 short animation submissions for the Best Animation Shorts – Student, Best Animation Shorts – Professional, Best Animated VFX, Audience Choice Awards, and International Animation Awards categories.
A team of 24 final year digital animation and illustration students from The One Academy won the Best Animation Shorts – Student award with their animated short film titled Origin.
The tale revolves around the Sun God and Water Goddess competing to nurture a growing plant to prove their might and importance.
The plant, which initially flourished, was soon unable to withstand these elements, and began to wither. The gods, realising the damage their egos were causing, rushed to save the plant together, thus recognising the importance of their cooperation.
“We wanted to write a story exploring the themes of family and cooperation. The two gods were written as parental figures who thought their own ways of nurturing were the best and only way.
“Our story revolves around how selfish actions can lead to others or, in this case, the plant, suffering from the consequences of such arrogance,” said Origins producer Amelie Loh Min Wey.
The soul-stirring animation, which took almost a year to complete, had previously won two other international awards.
It was named a winner at the Animex International Festival of Animation and Computer Games, and was the Second Prize winner at the 2022 Three Acts of Goodness International Microfilm Contest.
“The successful outcome is amazing and truly a blessing. I hope our film will inspire whoever watches it,” said Origins director Too Cheng Shuang.
“We just wanted to create something we are proud of. We are grateful that so many people enjoyed it, as well,” added Loh.
The journey proved memorable as the students had fun making funny animation edits and bonding over their late-night rush to complete their work.
Crediting The One Academy with their success, the duo said the lessons they had received on cinematography, storyboarding, compositing, videography and the production pipeline truly prepared them to create their own short film.
The animation industry, said MDEC chief executive officer Mahadhir Aziz, will continue to grow, with its global market value estimated to be worth Us$298.2mil (Rm1,307.61mil) this year, and expected to reach Us$519.6mil (Rm2,278.45mil) by 2028.
He added that it is vital for the creative and animation industry to continue its momentum, as the growth of streaming platforms worldwide brings a plethora of opportunities to those involved in the industry.