The 17th Xiamen International Animation Festival concluded on a high note, celebrating creativity and innovation across animation, gaming, and immersive technologies. A total of 108 works received the prestigious“CYBER SOUSA AWARD”, while a 30,000-square-meter animation and gaming carnival brought together more than 50 leading companies from across the industry.
International speakers gathered to explore new trends driven by AI and other emerging technologies. Along the historic Zhongshan Road, a cross-dimensional animation-themed street delivered fresh and immersive experiences, blending the nostalgic charm of the old quarter with vibrant pop-culture energy.
Through competitions, forward-looking discussions, and cross-sector collaboration, the festival continues to strengthen Xiamen’s brand as a hub of digital creativity, injecting new momentum into the industry.
Competition as a Gateway for Emerging Talent
The “CYBER SOUSA AWARD” ceremony, held on October 31, stood as a centerpiece of the festival. Organized by the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government and overseen by the Xiamen International Animation Festival Organizing Committee, with support from Xiamen Information Group Innovation Software Park Management Company, the awards recognized 108 standout entries. In honor of the
Association International du Film d'Animation (ASIFA) 65th anniversary, a special commemorative award was also presented.
This year’s “CYBER SOUSA AWARD” featured three main categories: Animation, Gaming, and Virtual Reality (VR) Digital Works. Both the number of submissions and the overall quality saw significant growth. Among the winners were established titles like “Nezha 2: The Demon Child’s Sea Chaos”, though the majority were early-stage projects showing strong potential.
“Squirrels”, an ink-wash animation short from Zhejiang University of Media and Communications, received the Gold Award for Best Short Video Animation. The piece pays tribute to master Chinese painter Zhu Yingren and is inspired by his work “Autumn Plenty Yields Surplus Grain”.
“Winning at an internationally recognized platform like the “CYBER SOUSA AWARD” gives our team greater confidence to continue creating ink-wash animations that reflect China’s cultural identity,” said Zhan Shengping, head of the university’s Animation Academic Creation Workshop.
For 17 years, the awards have served as a springboard for new talent and original works. This year, the competition attracted 4,074 submissions from more than 50 countries and regions, setting a new record for animation festival entries in China.
“Not only has the number of entries grown—the quality continues to impress,” noted Li Zhongqiu, Vice President of ASIFA.
To support project development and industry collaboration, the festival organized matchmaking sessions, game project roadshows, and master workshops. The 3rd Game Entrepreneur Roadshow (Xiamen Station) attracted 136 exhibitors showcasing over 150 games, while other events such as the 2nd Xiamen Game Enterprise Recommendation Conference fostered connections between local studios and national partners.
Spotlight on Technology and Industry Evolution
With over a decade of experience, the Xiamen International Animation Festival remains committed to both honoring artistic excellence and driving technological innovation.
New this year, the VR Digital Works category received 271 submissions across interactive storytelling, visual creativity, and experiential design—showcasing VR’s expanding role in entertainment, education, and cultural tourism.
“Adventures on Kulangsu”, a locally produced VR experience set on the UNESCO World Heritage site Kulangsu, took home the Gold Award in the Fujian-TaiwanCultural VR category. Developed by Migu Xinkong Culture Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., it is China’s first large-scale, multi-player free-roam VR attraction based on a real cultural heritage location.
Since its launch in 2024, the project has gained significant industry and public attention, surpassing 100 million total online impressions.
“The new VR category provides a valuable platform for companies to gain international exposure and share China’s cultural stories with the world,” said Liu Qi, Senior Brand Promotion Manager at Migu Xinkong.
The festival also featured a dedicated panel on AI titled “AI Empowerment and Creative Identity: Animation’s New Borders in the Technological Wave,” where international experts explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping animation while challenging creators to retain their unique voice.
“Xiamen’s animation industry—born from the city’s Software Park—has always been shaped by technology. Today, it stands as a leading hub for digital content where animation, gaming, VR, and AI converge,” Li Zhongqiu observed.
Cross-Industry Collaboration Expands Reach
This year’s festival emphasized crossover projects that merged animation with culture, tourism, and cinema.
The century-old Zhongshan Road served as a vibrant open-air venue for cosplay parades, anime markets, and live performances—creating a dynamic blend of heritage and contemporary culture.
The “CYBER SOUSA AWARD” also partnered with the 2025 Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Life Season to present a special selection of animated films from around the world.
The Cyber Sousa Animation & Game Carnival, a flagship event now in its tenth edition, has become a much-anticipated gathering for anime fans and professionals alike. This year’s expanded 30,000-square-meter exhibition featured leading Xiamen-based studios such as G-bits, Feiyu Technology, Extreme Game, and Touch Technology.
“As a company rooted in Xiamen, we see the Cyber Sousa platform as an essential bridge to our audience,” shared a representative from G-bits.
The studio showcased its new mobile game “The Legend of Staff and Sword” and announced a crossover with the popular animated film “The Legend of Hei 2”—a collaboration designed to engage both gaming and anime communities.
(By Liao Liping, Hong Huimin)
Company: XIAF Organizing Committee Office
Contact Person: XIAF Organizing Committee
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://cybersousa.com.cn/
Telephone: +86-(0)592-5953932
City: Xiamen
Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
