Golden Goblet Awards Animation Section | Nostalgic Innocence Meets an AI Future, Where Diverse Cultures Intertwine across Time and Space

Since establishing its Animation Film section in 2015, Shanghai International Film Festival has consistently sought out and recommended outstanding animated films from around the world - spanning a variety of styles, themes, and techniques. These works transcend age and geography, showcasing boundless imagination and creativity, and offering audiences a glimpse into the limitless possibilities of the world through the lens of animation.

On June 20, the Golden Goblet Awards Animation Section hosted a meet-and-greet with the teams behind the four nominated films: Magic Beach, Make A Girl, Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass, and Edge of Time. The creators came together for an in-depth, passionate dialogue with media and audience members, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and creative inspirations.

Whimsical and Nostalgic: A Celebration of Childhood Wonder

Among this year’s finalists, Magic Beach and Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass stand out with their enchanting innocence and powerful sense of nostalgia, evoking cherished memories through their “retro charm”.

Magic Beach tells the story of children who, after reading the picture book of the same name, unleash their imaginations and find themselves immersed in the magical seaside world depicted in the book, where a series of heartwarming adventures unfold. To authentically capture a child’s point of view, director Robert Connolly invited a child psychology expert to serve as a consultant, ensuring the film is filled with vivid, genuine childlike imagination.

“At the premiere during SIFF, many children as young as four or five were in attendance - and their enthusiastic reactions showed how much they loved the film,” Connolly shared joyfully. He expressed hope that adults, too, would be inspired by the film to reconnect with the pure and beautiful memories of their own childhood.

The Tom and Jerry animated series holds a special place in the childhood memories of multiple generations. The enduring antics of Tom and Jerry - their endless game of “love and rivalry” - have brought boundless joy to young audiences over the decades. The latest co-production, Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass, is a collaborative effort between China and the United States, offering a fresh take that blends Eastern and Western storytelling. “We aimed to stay true to the original while crafting a film that feels authentically Tom and Jerry,” said director Zhang Gang.

What does “authentic” mean in this context? For Zhang, it’s all about the dynamic between Tom and Jerry: “They must chase, bicker, and clash - while still deeply caring for each other.” This signature relationship is fully brought to life in the film. At the same time, the movie incorporates distinctly Eastern elements. For example, Tom and Jerry encounter a mythical Chinese “roof beasts”, with whom they team up to battle the villain - a unique cultural twist that enriches the classic duo’s adventure.

Face the Future and Question the Fate

If nostalgia offers a warm glance back in time, then the other two nominated films - Make A Girl and Edge of Time - bravely confront an uncertain future, posing profound questions about humanity’s ultimate fate.

Make A Girl takes a sharp, timely look at the hot-button issue of artificial intelligence. Director Yasuda Gensho explores the complexity of human emotion and the intersection of technology and humanity through the relationship between a scientifically minded boy and an AI girl. “My initial goal was to answer the question: ‘Can real emotions exist between humans and AI?’” Yasuda Gensho shared candidly. “But even after completing the film, I still don’t have a clear answer.” Nevertheless, the film is deeply thought-provoking, and Yasuda Gensho hopes audiences will find their own personal answers while watching.

Edge of Time tells the story of Aquila, a girl who lives in the water and saves another girl from drowning. The two become friends and promise to meet again the next day - but war changes everything. In her search for her friend, Aquila transforms into an energy form, traverses time and space, witnesses the horrors of war, and ultimately realizes the profound value of intimacy and memories. “Through this film, we hope to share love and beauty with those around us, and to make animation a voice of wonder,” said co-director Weng Ming.

Cultural Fusion and Mutual Tribute

This year’s nominated animated films vividly showcase a rich tapestry of multicultural integration and mutual appreciation.

The original picture book behind Magic Beach has captivated readers worldwide for over four decades, possessing an overwhelming power to transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with global audiences. Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass, a model of Sino-American co-production, cleverly blends the iconic American humor of Tom and Jerry with the Eastern wit and wisdom symbolized by the mythical “roof beasts”. It not only highlights the beauty of cultural differences but also achieves harmonious coexistence and innovative expression through creative collision. Make A Girl launched two rounds of global crowdfunding during its planning phase, attracting the passionate participation of over six million fans from around the world. The film’s very creation became a collaborative endeavor that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries.

Edge of Time brought together four animation directors from China and Japan. Each contributed their own distinct narrative style and visual aesthetics, while also thoughtfully embedding subtle tributes and interconnected clues in the film. Another co-director, Li Wei, who appeared at a recent screening event, remarked, “This is a story about time, love, peace, and hope. Throughout the creative process, we inspired and encouraged one another.” This collaborative model is itself a powerful reflection of the film’s central themes.