Hand-Drawn Over Seven Years: Hong Kong's Another World Wins Global Acclaim
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong animated feature Another World has emerged as a remarkable achievement in Asian animation, having been crafted entirely by hand over a demanding seven-year production period. The film secured Best Animated Feature at the Golden Horse Awards and earned selection at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, often called the "Oscars of the animation world." At the heart of this accomplishment is Hilary Tang Yin-ting, a key animator who joined the project before completing her studies at Hong Kong Metropolitan University in 2020.
Key Points
- The film Another World was created entirely through hand-drawn animation, a rare approach in an era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and digital tools
- Hilary Tang Yin-ting, who graduated from Hong Kong Metropolitan University in 2020 with a focus in animation and visual effects, rose from intern to become a key animator on the project
- Animation requires enormous time investment, with work that takes Hilary weeks or even a month to complete often resulting in just a single blink on screen
- Hilary believes animators must feel a character's movements in their own bodies to bring them authentically to life
- The production process involves rigorous quality control, with Hilary checking her drawings frame by frame before submission, embodying what she calls a "craftsman's spirit"
Why It Matters
Another World stands as a powerful counterpoint to the AI-driven efficiency mindset reshaping creative industries. For Hong Kong's animation sector, the film's international success demonstrates that painstaking craftsmanship can still captivate global audiences and earn top honors. Hilary's journey from eager intern to award-winning key animator offers an inspiring model for young creatives considering careers in traditional animation techniques.
Another World stands as a powerful counterpoint to the AI-driven efficiency mindset reshaping creative industries. For Hong Kong's animation sector, the film's international success demonstrates that painstaking craftsmanship can still captivate global audiences and earn top honors. Hilary's journey from eager intern to award-winning key animator offers an inspiring model for young creatives considering careers in traditional animation techniques.