66 Animations and 18 Games Honored at Prestigious Event
XIAMEN, China, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The creative spirit continues to soar high as original works catalyze growth within the animation and gaming sectors. On November 21, the much-anticipated winners of the “Cyber Sousa Award” for 2024 were officially revealed at a grand ceremony held in Jimei, Xiamen. This prestigious competition featured two main categories: animation and games. Following intense competition, a total of 66 exceptional animated works—including fan-favorites “Oh My School!”, “Chang An,” and “Boonie Bears: Time Twist”—alongside 18 remarkable game entries have earned accolades.
Celebrating Originality in Animation
Since the commencement of this year’s “Cyber Sousa Award” Animation Competition in June, a staggering count of 3,370 submissions from 40 diverse countries and regions worldwide flooded in. Following meticulous evaluations from a panel of 24 esteemed domestic and international expert judges, a total of 11 awards across various categories—including Best Animated Feature Film, Best Animated Series, Best Animated Short Film, and Best Comic—were conferred upon the 66 outstanding animation works, all competing for a substantial prize pool totaling 1.3 million yuan.
During the award ceremony, Li Zhongqiu, the Vice President of ASIFA (Association International du Film d’Animation), expressed fervent admiration for the Cyber Sousa Award, emphasizing its stature as China’s longest-running and most internationally recognized animation and comic event, bolstered by the participation of elite judges. He remarked that the animation industry in Xiamen has seamlessly integrated with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and the metaverse, positioning itself at the forefront of contemporary trends within the expansive pan-animation landscape. “Xiamen has led the charge in transforming the traditional animation industry model, pioneering innovative avenues through the application of information technologies,” he stated.
Yan Kai, the director behind the “Best Animated Feature Film Gold” winner “Oh My School!”, held the prestigious trophy with palpable enthusiasm. He shared that the journey to complete the film required his team to learn and innovate continuously over five painstaking years. “Our primary motivation in creating animations has always been to deliver imaginative and humorous experiences to audiences. Winning this award fuels our passion, and we are dedicated to returning this appreciation to our viewers with remarkable future works,” Yan affirmed.
Fostering Opportunities for Game Developers
This year’s “Cyber Sousa Award” Game Competition showcased nine award categories, with a total prize pool of 690,000 yuan. In total, 388 submissions from 26 countries and regions were received, prominently featuring entries from student teams representing 53 universities worldwide. Following in-depth evaluations by distinguished judges, 18 exceptional games were honored with awards.
The innovative games “Back to the Dawn” and “Cyber Manhunt 2,” crafted by the dynamic Spiral Up Games team from Shanghai, secured the esteemed “Best Game Gold” and “Best Game Bronze” awards, respectively. Wu Kaiwen, Business Manager of Spiral Up Games, elaborated that “Back to the Dawn” embraces a retro pixel-art style, while “Cyber Manhunt 2” delves into an adventure narrative centered on cybersecurity. “We see games as an art form that should not only entertain players but also present profound stories that resonate,” he reflected.
Furthermore, Wu noted that being part of the “Cyber Sousa Award” has significantly elevated Spiral Up Games’ brand recognition within the industry. “We aspire to leverage this platform to foster stronger ties with other domestic game developers, encouraging collaboration and mutual growth,” he added.
Exploring New Frontiers in Animation Creation
This event serves as a vital networking platform for animation and game creators, encouraging the sharing of innovative ideas. During a themed sharing session, industry veterans conveyed their insights on emerging animation technologies and the synergistic relationship between animation and gaming, drawing from their extensive creative experiences.
The captivating cutscene “Deaf” from the AAA domestic game “Black Myth: Wukong” utilized a striking stop-motion animation technique, leaving a lasting impression on players. Weng Jie, Director of “Deaf,” highlighted the intrinsic stylistic quality of stop-motion animation, which not only delivers stunning visual elements but enhances the narrative experience for players, allowing them to grasp the deeper significance of the story.
Yang Zhen, co-founder of Shengying Culture, shared meaningful insights regarding “Analysis on the Development and Creation of Game-Derived Animation,” emphasizing that while games prioritize interactive entertainment, animations focus on expressive content. “Games require animation to attract new users and extend the reach of intellectual properties,” he noted. Moreover, he stressed that game-based animations are often enriched with cultural narratives, thereby reinforcing IP development.
Additionally, Gong Lei, Vice President of Sparkkey Studio, illustrated how artificial intelligence can revolutionize animation production, while Gao Xiang, founder of “Aotu World,” discussed strategies for expanding animation IP content and advancing commercial monetization.
Experts Gather in Xiamen to Explore International Collaboration Opportunities in the Gaming Sector
WN Conference: A Global Discussion Forum
Simultaneously, the WN Conference, themed “Connecting the World: The Future of Gaming,” was conducted as a key supporting event at the Xiamen International Animation Festival, taking place from November 21 to 22. This internationally recognized B2B gathering drew industry elites and experts from nearly ten countries and regions to address opportunities and challenges in fostering global cooperation within the gaming sector.
One of the standout features of this event was its incorporation of BRICS-focused characteristics, as game companies from BRICS nations such as Russia, Brazil, and South Africa were invited, creating a bridge for Xiamen’s game developers to leverage collaboration opportunities and explore international markets.
“Xiamen serves as a vital hub for promoting ‘games going global,’ given the plethora of gaming firms expanding internationally and their impressive market performance,” noted Zhu Lihui, founder of the China Indie Game Alliance. He emphasized that with the increasing trend of global game expansion, emerging markets in Southeast Asia and BRICS nations present immense potential. He urged game companies in Xiamen to seize these opportunities and accelerate their international reach, while also collaborating with their overseas counterparts to introduce high-quality games and talent, thereby enhancing global competitiveness.
A dedicated exhibition space was prepared for participants at the event, showcasing a range of game products, developmental services, marketing strategies, and opportunities for IP collaborations.
SOURCE Xiamen International Animation Festival Organizing Committee
What inspired Yan Kai to create “Oh My School!” and how did that inspiration shape the storytelling in the film?
### Interview with Yan Kai - Director of “Oh My School!” and Winner of the Best Animated Feature Film Gold Award
**Interviewer:** Congratulations, Yan Kai! Winning the Cyber Sousa Award for Best Animated Feature Film is a significant achievement. Can you share what this award means to you and your team?
**Yan Kai:** Thank you! This award is incredibly meaningful to us. It validates the hard work and passion we’ve poured into “Oh My School!” over the last five years. We’ve been motivated by our desire to create imaginative and humorous experiences for audiences. Winning this award not only fuels our passion but also inspires us to continue delivering unique content in the future.
**Interviewer:** Your team spent five years on this project. Can you describe some of the challenges you faced during the production process?
**Yan Kai:** Absolutely. The journey was filled with challenges, from developing a compelling story to perfecting the animation techniques. We constantly had to learn and innovate. However, these challenges also pushed us to grow as creators. Collaborating with a talented team made everything possible, and every obstacle was an opportunity for creativity.
**Interviewer:** The Cyber Sousa Award has a reputation for showcasing innovative works in animation. How do you see the current landscape of animation in Xiamen and China at large?
**Yan Kai:** Xiamen is at the forefront of integrating technology with animation. The blend of artificial intelligence and traditional animation techniques is transforming how we create content. Events like the Cyber Sousa Award also promote collaboration and idea-sharing, which are essential for the industry’s growth. I believe that we are entering a new age of animation that is more dynamic and accessible than ever before.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned the influence of technology on animation. What role do you think emerging technologies will play in your future projects?
**Yan Kai:** Emerging technologies, particularly AI, will be pivotal in streamlining production processes and enhancing creativity. We’re exploring how to incorporate new tools to create richer storytelling experiences while maintaining the unique touch of hand-drawn animation. It’s an exciting time to experiment with new methods, and we intend to leverage these technologies to elevate our storytelling further.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s next for you and your team? Do you have any upcoming projects that you can share with our audience?
**Yan Kai:** We’re in the early stages of brainstorming our next project. While I can’t disclose much now, I assure you that we’re committed to pushing creative boundaries and continuing to explore themes that resonate with our audience. We hope to surprise everyone once again with our next venture!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Yan! Congratulations once again, and we look forward to seeing what you create next.
**Yan Kai:** Thank you! I appreciate the support and look forward to sharing more with everyone soon.