Jeong Hae-ji Wins in the 44^th Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Sura (2020), a graduate film by Jeong Hae-ji (School of Film, TV & Multimedia, animation major), won in Jury Distinction at the world-renowned animation festival Annecy Festival.

Jeong’s Sura (2020) garnered attention by receiving invitations from two of the four major international film festivals around the world. Based on the personal experience of watching the pregnancy of her closest friend, the director touches on the topic of teen pregnancy and abortion in her work. Seen from the accomplishment at Annecy, winning in the Animafest Zagreb that holds from September 28^th through October 6^th now has a brighter prospect.

Director Jeong’s talent was recognized earlier indeed. In 2017, she won the Contest for Commemorating Comfort Women hosted by Seoul with her animation Tears (2017), and in 2019, she won in the category of the best character design at the Shin Young Culture Challenge.

Before director Jeong, the animations of many talented artists at the K-ARTS have constantly received love calls from Annecy since the early 2000s. Especially in 2018, two works received invitations to the festival. However, it is the first time winning since Choi Hyun-Myung won in Jury Distinction with Walking in the Rainy Day (2005) in 2006.

Dean of the School of Film, TV & Multimedia Park Hyun-cheol commented, “Winning in a major contest like Annecy was possible only after we put years of endeavor into animation education. And the achievement demonstrates we are succeeding in nourishing professional and experimental new artists in the field recognized around the world.” The dean also added, “I wish the best for Director Jeong Hae-ji once again in Animafest Zagreb coming up this September.”