JOIN US IN THE UNDERGROUND!
Since 2012, Cartoons Underground has been uncovering bold Asian animated stories and connecting filmmakers, students, and industry leaders. This year, we’re taking over SCAPE Ground Theatre with our most ambitious programme yet—two full screenings, a masterclass and a panel discussion designed to inspire and challenge.
Festival Highlights
Saturday, 25 Oct – Free masterclass / industry meet-up: 2 PM
Saturday, 1 Nov – Afternoon Programme A Screening: 4 PM | Evening Programme B Screening with local Director Q&A and Golden Durian Awards: 7 PM
Watch daring short films from around the world, go behind the scenes with directors in live Q&As, and uncover the struggles and triumphs of making animation today. Beyond the big screen, meet filmmakers, chat with fellow fans, explore festival booths, and cast your vote for the Audience Choice Award at the Golden Durian.
More than just screenings, CU 2025 is where stories, ideas, and communities come alive.
JOIN US AT *SCAPE GROUND THEATRE ON SAT, NOV 1, 25
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INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME
SINGAPORE STUDENT FILMS
A total of 9 International films and 5 Singapore Student films have been selected for the festival's 13th edition. This year, we received a resounding 1,444 entries from 91 different countries. The selection feature a strong and diverse Asian voice, with filmmakers hailing from South Korea, China and Singapore. The 2024 festival was a visual treat for all ages, and offered audience a unique glimpse into the power and magic of animated filmmaking.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME
SINGAPORE STUDENT FILMS
A total of 15 films were selected from an incredible 1,582 entries across 103 different countries. Hailing from all over the world, the submissions showcased a unique variety of voices, themes and stories. The selection in 2023 continued Cartoons Underground's (CU) mission of championing independent animated short films that challenge the medium's boundaries.
Out of this world
Wild Times
In 2022, a total of 16 works were selected from an incredible 1,681 entries submitted from 96 different countries - the highest number of submissions received in the history of the festival. The final selection of films is made of of many high quality films telling unique stories, evoking powerful emotions, tackling mature themes and challenging the animation medium.
2021
OUR BLOG
Braided: interview with animation director Chenxi Zhang
Read an interview with Chenxi Zhang, animation director of “Braided,” a film in the Cartoons Underground 2023 Film Festival Programme.
Brainwashed By Robots: An Interview with 2021 Story Lab participant Luther Chuah
We speak with Luther Chuah, a participant of Animated Visions: Story Development Lab 2021. His project pitch “My Maths Teacher is a Robot?!” received a Special Mention in the Story Lab.
Luther shares his experiences at the lab, how the mentors’ feedback helped him improve his story, and also why it’s important to write with a clear audience in mind.
It’s A Love Story Baby Just Say Yes: An Interview with 2021 Story Lab participants Simone Tam, Kimberly Wee and Wai Zi Ying
The Animated Visions: Story Development Lab aims to help participants develop their animated project ideas into a fully realised pitch with a concrete logline, treatment and character biography. There, participants will have the opportunity to receive one-to-one feedback from award-winning filmmakers Jerrold Chong (Finding Pictures) and Harry and Henry Zhuang (Weaving Clouds) on how to…
Must-Read September Animation News!
This corona phenomenon might be sticking around for awhile eh? Keen on getting in on some thriving animation news from around the world? Cartoons Underground has got you covered with only the best of animation events from all around the world. We’re covering everything this month from new animation shows to artists showcases. So strap…
Meaningful Animations: touching stories for #PinkDot12 and MyQueerStorySG
A few weeks ago, we shared a beautiful animated video of 3 powerful stories in 3 different animation styles that shared the struggle and created awareness of LGBTQ+ real experiences. We promised you we’d have an interview with our Director of Communications and Animator, Jerrold Chong to follow shortly and here it is! Jerrold was…
Animation 101: Athira’s Guide
Animation 101: Athira’s Guide to Taking Animation One Step (or Keyframe) at a Time! Here are some tips and tricks to get you thinking about how to get started in the magical world of animation