Taking a Summer Animation ride around the World

This summer was packed with exciting experiences that take me around the globe again. Wherever I went, it was filled with festivals and events that celebrate animation in all its forms. These journeys were not only professionally enriching but also deeply personal, highlighting the power of community, cross-cultural exchange, and storytelling that transcends borders.

In June, along with my SVA students and faculty, I attended the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world’s most prestigious animation gathering. We explored student screenings, recruiter panels, portfolio reviews, and studio mixers with top industry players like Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm, Netflix, Illumination, Titmouse, Paramount, and WIA World Summit. From spontaneous airport chats to portfolio reviews at MIFA and even catching a live performance by Rebecca Sugar (BFA 2009 Animation), the festival offered a rich mix of inspiration and access.

In Taipei, I led a special workshop for emerging filmmakers preparing for their thesis films for the Taiwan Animation and Visual Effects Association. The session covered story development, personal voice, and the role of animation as both craft and expression. Whether students had a clear vision or were still finding their direction, I offered a space to connect, reflect, and move forward. The workshop encouraged participants to explore the deeper meaning of their creative journeys and to tell the stories only they could tell. In addition, I had one-on-one portfolio critiques with the emerging artists from the Taiwan Academia Industry Consortium, a non-profit organization with a mission to bridge the industries and academia in the field of animation, game development, visual design, software content, cross-media collaboration, film, and other new digital technologies. I felt extremely grateful to be given these opportunities with the support from the Fubon Cultural and Educational Foundation to return home and support the animation education and industry with the best of her ability.