HKMU's Inaugural World University Animation Awards this September: public screenings and forums with industry legends

(From left) Mr Raman Hui, acclaimed director of the Shrek and Monster Hunt series and a final round adjudicator for the WUAA, with members of the WUAA organising committee: Mr Vincent Mak Shing-fung, Assistant Professor in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at HKMU; Prof. Eva Man Kit-wah, Chief Organiser of the WUAA and Chair Professor of Humanities in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at HKMU; and Dr Shawn Shao Dong, Acting Head of Creative Arts in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at HKMU.

Proudly presented by Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), the inaugural World University Animation Awards (WUAA), a ground-breaking event celebrating creativity and innovation in animation, is set to take place from 15 to 16 September 2025. The WUAA has achieved a remarkable global reach, with more than 1,000 submissions from around the world. A series of free activities for the public, including screenings of finalist animation films, expert-led forums and autograph sessions with world-renowned animation legends, will be held to promote creativity and industry exchange.

Since its launch earlier this year, the WUAA has received 1,763 submissions from nearly 600 universities across 96 countries and regions. After two rigorous rounds of adjudication, 42 exceptional student animation films were selected as finalists. These works represent a diverse array of cultures and perspectives, with entries from the Mainland China and Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Russia, Singapore, Ecuador, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Iran, among others.

The finalists will be evaluated in the final round by an esteemed panel of 10 international animation experts, including celebrated Hong Kong animators and directors Mr Lo Che-ying, a pioneering independent animator, and Mr Raman Hui, an acclaimed director recognised for his work on the Shrek and Monster Hunt series.

They will be joined by distinguished international figures, including Mr Koji Morimoto, Assistant to Chief Animator of the classic Japanese anime film Akira; Ms Deborah LaVine, Dean of the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts; Mr Mark Jones, Dean of the Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design at Sheridan College, the largest art school in Canada; Mr Alex Woo, founder of Kuku Studios, former story lead at Pixar, director of the upcoming original animated feature In Your Dreams, and creator and executive producer of the Emmy-winning series Go! Go! Cory Carson; Mr Michael Arias, director of the critically acclaimed film Tekkonkinkreet; Ms Inés Sedan, award-winning Argentinian animator, now living in France; Mr Chen Liaoyu, Professor at the Beijing Film Academy and chief director of Yao-Chinese Folktales; and Ms Ulanda Blair, Curator of Moving Image at M+.

With extensive experience in both the Hollywood and Asian film industries, Mr Raman Hui emphasised the importance of platforms like the WUAA. “Having worked in both the East and the West, I can see the value of these awards,” he said. “HKMU has built a bridge, where young creators from different cultures can inspire one another. It's a chance to see that although our techniques may differ, powerful stories and unique cultural voices can resonate with everyone.”

Prof. Eva Man Kit-wah, Chief Organiser of the WUAA and Chair Professor of Humanities in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at HKMU, shared her vision for the event. “The WUAA is more than an accolade—it's a global stage, where bold ideas bloom, cultures connect and animation redefines what's possible,” she said. “HKMU stands at the forefront, and together with about 600 universities from around the world, we champion the power of youth and artistry to shape the future of visual expression.”

While the Awards Ceremony will be a private event for guests from the Hong Kong industry and around the world, HKMU cordially invites the public to participate in a series of complimentary activities on its campus. These events offer a unique opportunity to engage with the next generation of animators and industry leaders, including the 10 renowned adjudicators.

Public Programme Schedule:

• Screening of Finalist Films

An opportunity to view the 42 nominated works from around the globe.– Date & Time:Part I: 15 September 2025, 1:30 – 4:30 pmPart II: 15 September 2025, 8:30 – 10:00 pm– Venue: D0309, HKMU Jockey Club Campus

• Autograph Session with Masters

An exclusive session with Mr Koji Morimoto and Mr Michael Arias.– Date & Time: 15 September 2025, 4:30 – 5:00 pm– Venue: 3/F, HKMU Jockey Club Campus

• Experts Forum: Animation Industry and Paradigm Shifts

A high-level discussion on the evolving landscape of the global animation industry.– Date & Time: 15 September 2025, 5:00 – 7:00 pm– Venue: D0309, HKMU Jockey Club Campus

• Experts Forum: The Future of Animation Education

An insightful dialogue regarding the trajectory of animation education worldwide.– Date & Time: 16 September 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon– Venue: D0309, HKMU Jockey Club Campus

• Special Replay: Screening of Finalist Films (same screening as on 15 September 2025)

A replay of 42 nominated works from around the globe.Part I– Date & Time: 20 September 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm– Venue: D0309, HKMU Jockey Club CampusPart II– Date & Time: 21 September 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm– Venue: D0212, HKMU Jockey Club Campus

For registration for these public events, please click here.

The World University Animation Awards underscores HKMU's mission to celebrate excellence, foster global connections and elevate Hong Kong's status as an international centre for creative arts and education. The awardees will be announced during the Awards Ceremony on the evening of 16 September at The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District.

For further details, please visit the official website: https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/wuaa/