Organised by Professor Eva Man (Chair Professor in Humanities of A&SS), with Artistic Director Ms Christine To (Film Producer and Scriptwriter), committee members Dr Shawn Shao (Acting Head of Creative Arts of A&SS), Mr Vincent Mak (Assistant Professor of A&SS), and Dr Timmy Chen (Assistant Professor of A&SS), the First World University Animation Awards (WUAA) was successfully held on 15 and 16 September 2025. The two-day programmes was designed for international students representing 42 shortlisted animation works. It included discussions on the collaboration of animation projects at MU Tower, expert forums themed “Animation Industries and Paradigm Shifts” and “The Future of Animation Education,” screenings of finalists’ films at the HKMU JCC campus, a visit to the M+ Museum, and the Awards Presentation Ceremony held at The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District.
WUAA has received 1763 submissions from 600+ Universities of 96 countries and regions. After two round adjudications, 42 animation works shortlisted. Students from China, France, Iran, Taiwan, Russia, India, Hungary, South Korea, Belgium, the United States, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, along with the Rainbow Horizon team from Morocco, Serbia, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Moldova, and Botswana, came to Hong Kong and participated in the programmes alongside local students from City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Design Institute, and HKMU. Furthermore, 10 international adjudicators were invited to join the two-day programmes as forum speakers and award presenters in Hong Kong. These included Mr Koji Morimoto and Mr Michael Arias from Japan, Mr Lo Che-ying from Hong Kong, Mr Mark Jones from Canada, Mr Raman Hui Shing-ngai, Dean Deborah LaVine, and Mr Alex Woo from the United States, Ms Inés Sedan from Argentina, Mr Chen Liaoyu from China, and Ms Ulanda Blair from Australia.
In addition to the final-round adjudicators, distinguished guests were invited to be Officiating Guests or Awards Presenters during the ceremony. These included Mr Raistlin Lau Chun, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Hon Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and Legislative Council Member; Hon Bernard Charnwut Chan, Vice Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and Chairman of the M+ Board; Dr Hon Allan Zeman, Member of WestK Enterprise Limited and Chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group; Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, Council Chairman of HKMU; Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, President of HKMU; Professor Roger Scully, Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences of HKMU; and Mr Louis Koo Tin-lok, a special distinguished guest renowned for his contributions to advancing the Hong Kong film and animation industry. The HKMU Chamber Orchestra and Hong Kong Dance Company, along with renowned performers Ms Ashley Lin Hoi-ling, Ms Joyce Cheung Pui-chih, and Mr Chu Wan-pin, entertained the audiences by dancing and playing animation theme songs on various musical instruments during the ceremony.
The WUAA featured six prestigious awards, which were presented in the ceremony to recognise the following animation works:
Additionally, the Rainbow Horizon Award was presented to honour emerging animators from countries and regions such as Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Morocco, and Moldova, whose works were not shortlisted but demonstrated outstanding creative potential.
After the ceremony, two special screenings of finalist’ films were held on 20 and 21 September 2025. All screenings and forums during the event were open to the public, allowing attendees to enjoy and gain deeper insights into animation. The activities attracted large audiences and generated significant interest. Local media and press reports, interviews and reviews are pouring after the event, resulting in broad and well coverage.
For more details of the WUAA, please visit the WUAA's official website.
For more details of the Award Presentation Ceremony, please visit News Centre.
