Taiwanese animation director Kuo Yen-ting captured the Tokyo Big Sight Award at the 2011 Tokyo International Anime Fair with his project “Swing,” according to event organizers March 10.
The 4-minute animation explores patients’ perspectives on life, death and family love, delving into the question of whether the decision to leave the world or fight a disease is affected by their surroundings.
Kuo, the first Taiwanese to receive the award, said his interest in art, movies and animation developed at a young age. He studied video and film at Tainan-based Southern Taiwan University, and later obtained a master’s degree in animation from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
The fair, the largest of its kind in the world, will run from March 24 to 27 at the international exhibition center Tokyo Big Sight. The awards ceremony will be held March 26, organizers said.
“Swing” has won 11 honors and been short listed or eligible for screening at 35 film festivals worldwide. (KML-THN)