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An online independent animated shorts screening showing recent work from Chinese creators sparked excitement online.
Titled "A stash of whimsy," the one-month long screening from March 28 to April 28 has displayed 12 animated shorts made by independent Chinese creators that have won or was nominated for an international or domestic award.
From the depiction of wonderful childhood memory to a satire on the absurdity of the world, the independent animations are not limited by any kind of narration or world outlook, and show each artist's exotic fantasy and earnest spiritual exploration.
Different from commercial animation created by big houses such as Disney or Ghibli, the pieces are made by just a few animators.
"Although each animator has different ways of making animation, they have a one thing in common, that is to express their ideas and tastes," said Chen Xi, also known as Chen Lianhua, who is screening "The Six."
A still from the animated short "The Six." /Feinaki Animation Week
Following a traditional form of Chinese shadow theater, "The Six" uses Chinese paper-cuts to depict a story between a man, a woman and a crane in six repetitive scenes. The animated short won the Craft Award for Best Design at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in 2019, Special Mention at the GLAS Animation Festival in 2020 and other awards.
The emergence of independent animation in China
"Independent animation emerged in China since 2000. With the popularity of animation software flash, many started to use animation to create works," said Chen, a teacher at the Animation School of Beijing Film Academy.
He added that in recent years, some excellent domestic works have been recognized by the international independent animation field, and have been promoted in China at events such as Feinaki Animation Week and China Independent Animation Film Forum (CIAFF).
"Such activities stimulate the creation of independent animations and people exchange. Not only animators have been gathered, but also more and more audience have been attracted. It is a good thing," said Chen.
A still from "Pieces of April." /Feinaki Animation Week
"There are all kinds of animation festivals in the world, but in China there are only a few such activities," said Zhu Yantong, artistic director of Feinaki Animation Week and the online screening "A stash of whimsy."
Zhu, also an independent animator, loves to watch independent animations made by creators from different cultural backgrounds.
She said that the epidemic gave independent animations an opportunity for more exposure. "But if there is a chance, I hope more people can participate in offline screenings to watch animations, which can better savor the fascination of independent animation."
(Cover image: A poster for "A stash of whimsy." /Feinaki Animation Week)
(CGTN)
