The world's only Asian animation film festival, the 22nd Seoul Indie AniFest's ASIA ROAD, has once again brought together a remarkable number of works this year.
From a total of 741 submissions, the jury spent approximately two months swimming through a sea of films, deeply deliberating over which works to bring before our audiences.
This year's submissions moved beyond simply documenting the suffering of wartime, extending their gaze to encompass the social transformations and lingering aftermath that follow.
Works portraying everyday life lived alongside wounds, and the altered shape of society, offered a vivid illustration of the many perspectives through which independent animation can examine the world.
A rich variety of works also gave voice to the precious emotions of human experience — farewells from family and friends, moments of connection and disconnection, and the quiet joy of happy times.
Generational themes reflecting the lives of those born in the 1980s and 90s were especially prominent, offering a lens that cuts across both era and generation.
As in recent years, a notably sharp increase in AI-generated submissions caught our attention.
While we found ourselves genuinely impressed by the technological advancements on display, we also felt a certain sense of longing when placing these works alongside the painstakingly crafted, detail-rich pieces born from the long hours of directors and their crews.
In that contrast, we were reminded anew of the value and meaning that independent animation holds.
Holding the question — "What is it that only Seoul Indie-AniFest can show?" — the jury exchanged a wide range of views as they carried out the selection process.
The final lineup was chosen with the sincere hope that encountering Asian works on the big screen will offer audiences a genuinely new experience: one that delights and engages all the senses.
It is precisely because of all of you — those who illuminate the value of Asian animation — that this festival exists.
Our deepest gratitude goes to every creator who submitted their work.
We sincerely hope that your works will find even greater opportunities and even better stages ahead.
- Comments written by JO Yeseul on behalf of the ASIA ROAD Preliminary Selection Jury Members: KO Donghwan, NAH Ho-won, JO Yeseul
