Korean wins prize in int¡¯l animation contest

A Korean animation director received a prize from an international animation contest for the first time.

Director Lee Myong-Ha, a member of Cinefix Animation, received the debut prize, one of the four prizes in the competition category, with his work of art called "Existence," at the 8th Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan, which closed on August 28.

Director Lee, who graduated with a major in visual design from Hongik University this year, said that "Existence" is a piece of work he produced in four months in the summer last year, and that he tried to study the meaning of existence through things that contrast with each other, such as brightness and darkness, a street on which it rains where there is a bar, and a dog and a cat, etc.

Chairman Michel Othelo of the International Animation Artists` Association stated that the work was selected for its wit, independent creativity, and preeminent storyline.

The Hiroshima Festival is one of the world`s four largest animation contests. A total of 1,231 pieces of work from 56 nations were exhibited in this contest.