Writer: Ming-feng,Chiang

The 15th Kuandu International Animation Festival held the closing ceremony on November 1st, marking the successful conclusion of the multi-day event. School principal, dean, curatorial directors and jury members delivered speeches as representatives, and five major awards were presented, showcasing the creative achievements and artistic potential of emerging animation creators.

Principal Hsi-Chuan Liu stated in his speech that KDIAF has now entered its 15th year since its founding. He emphasized that it is not an easy job to keep holding this festival with only a budget of 3 million, which is both tight and limited. He praised the efforts and dedication of all the teachers and students over the years, noting that the animation festival is not only an artistic exhibition but also an educational platform for young students to learn about film festival operations and international exchanges. Principal Liu expressed hope that the festival will continue to grow, eventually becoming a foundation for cultivating creators as it moves into the next 15 years. 

Dean of the School of Film and New Media, Jack Shih, pointed out that, for the first time, this edition of the festival introduced awards related to Mixed Reality (MR), demonstrating a proactive attitude towards integrating technology and new forms of storytelling.

He also explained the origin of the name “Guan Dog Award,” revealing that the original idea was “Guan Niu Award,” but it was ultimately changed to “Guan Dog” as a pun on "Guandu." Dean Shih emphasized that the animation festival is not only for teachers and students of TNUA but is also a public event that serves society. It allows the public and children to engage with diverse visual creations and experience the charm of animation art.

The Curatorial Director of this year's festival and head of the Animation Department, Shun-Wen Chao, stated in her speech that the success of the festival relies on the effort and dedication of the student team, who demonstrated a high level of responsibility and professionalism from preparation to execution. She especially thanked the student volunteers, who not only helped with the operation of the festival but also participated in social services, such as animation camps in rural areas, showcasing the spirit of combining artistic education with social practice.

One of the juries, American composer and animation artist Nik Phelps, shared his experience, saying that he had an amazing time visiting Taiwan this time. He not only enjoyed many creative and experimental works but also deeply appreciated the passion and potential of Taiwanese animation creators.

The award ceremony this year presented four major awards. The jury remarked that the winning works demonstrated high achievements in narrative pacing, visual performance, and the integration of music, fully reflecting the artistic potential of the new generation of animation creators.

The Best Animation Award was won by “Butterfly”, which showcases the strong sense of beauty through a fusion of drawing and animation. Every brushstroke turns into flowing emotion, subliming personal stories into a universal reflection on freedom and resilience.

The Best Student Animation Award went to “The Undying Pain of Existence”, which humorously exaggerates the endurance and release of "itch,"  featuring a lively tempo and frequent comedic moments.

“Vor”, which received the Taiwan Special Award, uses poetic visual language to depict a child’s emotional journey of facing loss, blending artistic merit and narrative depth.

The Taiwan Student Award winner, “Falling Mist”, constructs the landscape of a polluted city using layered brushstrokes and gray tones, creating intense visual tension.

The Best Music Award, which was won by “Wu/Ping”, was recognized for its naturally flowing soundtrack, delicate tones,  and strong alignments with the visuals, successfully enhancing the mood of the story.

At the end of the closing ceremony, Director Shun-Wen Chao presented letters of appreciation to the student work team, thanking them for their professionalism and hard work, which ensured the event ran smoothly. The ceremony concluded with a group photo of all teachers, students, and guests, providing a memorable and touching end to the 15th Kuandu Animation Festival.