Meet China's Next Generation of Animators at 798

Chinese animation is having a moment. There's been no shortage of animated movies in Chinese cinemas this year. Over 20 local and foreign animated films duked it out this summer including local films Rock Dog (摇滚藏獒) and Big Fish & Begonia (大鱼海棠).

According to Forbes, receipts for animated features have leaped by 63 percent in the January through August period this year compared with the same period last year.

Animated features have pulled in USD 858 million so far this year, already a big leap ahead of last year’s full-year record of USD 698 million.

Only last week it was announced that Tuzki (兔斯基, Tùsījī), the popular rabbit WeChat and Facebook sticker created by Beijing resident Wang Momo is being turned into a film.

With China’s one-child policy continues to be phased out, expect to see a lot more animation films being produced right here in China. 

If you’re interested in meeting the people most likely to be creating the next generation of animated films, head over to 798 for the 5th China Independent Animation Film Forum at the 798 Art District from October 13 to October 16.

The four-day event is aimed at encouraging Chinese independent, original and experimental animations and will include an animation competition, screenings, academic forums, and workshops.

This year the forum has received close to 600 entries for the animation competition from countries as varied as Japan, Korea, UK, USA, Singapore, Netherlands, and Israel. That initial batch has been whittled down to 42 for the shortlist which will be screened at the event.

The organization has also put together a collection of 160 independent animated short films for the public to access and use.

Check out the CAFA Art Info website for more details.

Images: cafa.com.cn, cartoonbrew.com