An animated short film by Malaysian college students created a buzz when it was announced recently to have won in the 2022 Three Acts of Goodness International Microfilm Contest. The group of final-year students from The One Academy’s Digital Animation and Illustration majors worked together in creating a heart-warming masterpiece that won Second Prize in the Pure Green category, bringing home US$8,000 in cash prize.
Organised by the Buddha’s Light International Association World Headquarters at Hsi Lai Temple in California, USA, this contest seeks to spread truth, kindness, and beauty of the world in response to the Three Acts of Goodness – “do good deeds, speak good words, and have good thoughts,” as advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.
This contest aims to inspire talents in different regions to present the kindest and most beautiful stories in life in microfilm format, joining together to promote love and peace in the world. Following the theme ‘Half – Half’, this year’s contest saw 2,703 entries from 103 countries and regions, including Ukraine, Russia, China, USA, the UK, France, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and more.
“Origin” also won Second Prize in the 2022 Three Acts of Goodness International Microfilm Contest.
“Origin” is about two gods, the Sun God and Water Goddess, competing to nurture a growing plant by showing off their powers to prove their capabilities and importance. Each time they did, the plant flourished, but unable to withstand their elements, it ultimately began to wither. The gods soon realise and rush to save the plant together, recognising the importance of their cooperation.
“We wanted to write a story exploring the themes of family and cooperation. The two gods were written as parental figures who thought their own ways of nurturing was the best and only way. The story revolves around how their selfish actions can lead to other people around them or in this case, the plant, suffering from the consequences of their arrogance,” said producer Amelie Loh Min Wey.
The student representatives (from left) Amelie Loh, Too Cheng Shuang, Choo Jie You and Yong Yi Shen, in the UK for the Animex International Festival.
Chew Lee Teng, senior lecturer of illustration at The One Academy, receiving the award on behalf of the team, at the Buddha’s Light International Association World Headquarters in California, USA.
The animation, which took almost a year to complete, was also crowned Winner of the short film award category in the Animex International Festival of Animation and Computer Games, hosted annually by Teesside University. Founded in 2020, Animex is one of the largest animation, visual effects and games international festivals in the UK. Four representatives of the student team – Amelie Loh, Too Cheng Shuang, Choo Jie You and Yong Yi Shen travelled to the UK to experience the festival and attended the awards ceremony.
“When our team was working on this project, we never thought that anything would come out of it. We just wanted to create something we were proud of, and we are super grateful that so many people enjoy it as well,” confessed Loh.
“It’s truly a blessing to see our short film successfully completed and the outcome was pretty amazing. I hope that our film will inspire whoever watches it,” said Too Cheng Shuang, the director. “Yes, our team worked super hard on it and the outcome definitely reflects that. We hope that viewers will enjoy it and that they will understand the message behind it,” added Loh.
The storyboard for “Origin”.
The students had memorable experiences while working on the project, having fun by making funny animation edits and bonded over their late night hangouts to rush over their work. Speaking about their learning experience at The One Academy, both Loh and Too attest that the lessons they received on cinematography, storyboarding, compositing, videography and the production pipeline, among others, truly prepared them to create their own short film.
“Don’t hesitate to just give it a try, because it could be a chance for your team to showcase your work to the world! Stay positive even if your team doesn’t make it to the finals, gaining the experience matters the most,” advised Too to other aspiring hopefuls.
Indeed, these remarkable feats by Malaysian students who shine with their hard work and outstanding effort on the global stage truly brings pride and recognition to our country. Watch the fate of the plant at YouTube.
Origin | CGI Animated Short Film | The One Academy
The One Academy is committed to providing the best art education programmes and continues to nurture its students passionately through its “Masters Train Masters” coaching philosophy, which has been practised for over 30 years, by providing diploma and degree courses in Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Digital Media Design, Film Visual Effects, Interior Architecture & Design, Illustration, Fine Arts, Paris Fashion Design & Pattern Making, Computer Science, Game Design and Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation. For more information on The One Academy, visit www.toa.edu.my or call +603-7875 5510 or e-mail your enquiries to [email protected].
Online Education Fair 线上教育展
The One Academy of Communication Design
https://edufair.fsi.com.my/theone
