The 4th China (Beijing) International Student Animation Festival, otherwise known as Aniwow! 2009, has completed an eventful four days of screening animated works from France, the UK, Germany, the U.S., Canada and South Korea. The event hosted master classes and academic forums that saw some of the biggest names in world animation come together in one place. As one of China's biggest animation events, Aniwow! 2009 did not disappoint and ended in style with an impressive gala Saturday evening October 31.

Popular young singer Cao Fang and "Superboy" winner Su Xing were two of the famous faces that took to the stage during the awards and closing ceremony, which were packed full of passion, energy and creativity.

Aniwow! 2009, hosted by Communication University of China (CUC) and the Beijing TV station, was attended by over 30 of the most influential animation professionals from around the world. The competition received 1,623 entries from 245 colleges in 52 countries to compete in four categories, Animation, VFX, Interactive Design and Comic Art& Illustration. The high standard of films on show proved testament to the quality of new and existing animation talent.

The original animated film Whoops, Mistake! by animation major Aneta Kyrova from the Czech Republic, won the top White Poplar award, bagging a cash prize of 10,000 yuan. The story was applauded for its well defined characters and accurate depiction of human nature.

The 3 ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d'Animation) China Awards went to Chase by Mu Jianhong of CUC animation school, Promise by Peng Qingzheng from the Beijing Film Academy, and Shuang Xia Shan, or Escape from the Temple, by Zhou Xing from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts.

A four-member team from Peking University grabbed the Best Interactive Installation award with their project The Door, which combines avant-garde conceptual art and digital animation.

Wang Jun from the team expressed his thrill at their success and said he was confident about the future development this new art form that integrates physical theory and fine art. He said he hopes this new style will be of more commercial and pragmatic value in the future.

Winner of the 2009 KAKU Annual Best Animated Series is GG Bond Warrior in Future World. The Beijing Animation Culture Best Creativity award was given to the popular animated version of Wu Lin Wai Zhuan, or My Own Swordsman.

This year's Beijing Animation Culture Best Investor award went to Cai Dongqing, chief of Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture, the first listed Chinese animation toy company.

One of the highlights of the show was when the KAKU Annual Award for Special Achievement was presented to Jin Delong, deputy editor-in-chief of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT). The prize was given in recognition of his unswerving efforts to develop the Chinese animation industry.

The Jury's Special Award went to the promotion series for Aniwow! 2009, most of which were co-produced by CUC and French students.

(CRIENGLISH.com November 1, 2009)