SIFFORUM | 'I Love to Create Things with My Hands': Animators Discuss the State of Their Art

Animation filmmakers from China and abroad exchanged views on authorship, cultural identity and the impact of artificial intelligence at a special forum devoted to their unique cinematic art during the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival on June 16.

The forum brought together animation creators and industry observers to discuss how the medium has evolved from hand-drawn images to digital production, and how artists can maintain creative individuality amid rapid technological change.

Presented as part of the SIFF in Conversation series, the forum was titled “Cultural Value and Future Possibilities of Animation.”

British animator and director Will Becher recalled that his connection with animation began with a love of handicraft. "I love to create things with my hands," Becher said. "I found my own path through art and creating art."

He noted that animation is not only about technique but also about perspective. 

"It's very much about the artistic approach we take to timing," Becher said. For him, the charm of animation lies in distinctive visual storytelling and the ability to build characters and worlds that reflect the makers' own experiences.

Indian director Gitanjali Rao spoke about the challenges facing independent animation creators in India, where commercial film production still dominates the market.

"The struggle to raise the finance is very, very huge," Rao said. She added that Indian animation has its own storytelling traditions, which are "quite different from the storytelling culture in the West."

Rao also emphasized the importance of lived experience in creation, particularly when depicting women and everyday life. "The Indian person in there is going to understand a little more of the cultural nuances," she said, explaining that creators needed to grasp the details rooted in specific societal settings.

Chinese director Yu Shui turned the discussion toward the rise of AI in animation production, raising questions about the relationship between new tools and artistic identity.

"Where will our authorship be reflected?" Yu asked, noting that creators must continue to assess what remains uniquely human in the production process.

The speakers agreed that AI may change animation workflows, costs, and production models, but human creativity remains central to the medium.

"We want to use our human artists to create ideas," Becher said.

The forum highlighted animation as a field constantly shaped by technology while remaining deeply connected to individual expression, cultural memory, and human imagination.