Overview
The Cross-Cultural Animation Workshop in Thailand was organized by the Media Arts Program, Faculty of Architecture and Design at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), in collaboration with partner institutions within the Asian Animation Education Network (AAEN).
The program aims to foster international collaboration through animation by bringing together students from different cultural backgrounds to co-create short motion comic works inspired by Thai culture.
Event Details
Date: June 27 – July 3, 2023
Venue: KMUTT, Bangkok, Thailand
Participating Institutions
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Thailand)
Korea National University of Arts
Communication University of China
Silpakorn University
Tokyo University of the Arts
Participants
A total of 30 students joined the workshop:
KMUTT: 11 undergraduate students
K-Arts: 5 undergraduate, 3 graduate students
CUC: 1 undergraduate, 5 graduate students
Silpakorn University: 5 undergraduate students
Program Structure
Day 1
Opening ceremony, campus tour, and local industry visit (salt farming)
Opening ceremony, campus tour, and local industry visit (salt farming)
Day 2
Storytelling lecture by a professional screenwriter, university presentations, and screening session
Storytelling lecture by a professional screenwriter, university presentations, and screening session
Day 3
Cultural excursion to Rattanakosin Island (historic Bangkok)
Cultural excursion to Rattanakosin Island (historic Bangkok)
Day 4
Concept development, project proposals, and critique
Concept development, project proposals, and critique
Day 5–6
Production phase (student work) and faculty seminar
Production phase (student work) and faculty seminar
Day 7
Final screening and project review
Final screening and project review
Workshop Highlights
Collaborative Production
Students were divided into international teams consisting of participants from Thailand, China, and Korea. Each group produced a short motion comic (1–1.5 minutes), combining elements of comics and animation.
Despite a limited production period of only a few days, the teams successfully created high-quality works by integrating their diverse skills and artistic perspectives.
Storytelling Lecture
A key session was led by Leslie Oliver, an Australian screenwriter, who emphasized the importance of strong storytelling.
Participants were encouraged to consider narrative elements across all aspects of production, including character, visuals, sound, editing, and motion.
Participants were encouraged to consider narrative elements across all aspects of production, including character, visuals, sound, editing, and motion.
Academic Seminar
A seminar featuring faculty members from participating universities presented various educational approaches and research initiatives, including:
Illustration and game design based on Thai heritage
AR and interactive design projects in collaboration with local institutions
Korean animation industry and gender perspectives
Game design and character-driven worldbuilding
The impact of digital technology on traditional Chinese arts
The session highlighted the growing importance of game and media arts education across Asia.
Outcomes & Reflections
The workshop demonstrated strong potential for expanding AAEN activities beyond its founding countries, with Thailand taking an active role in driving future initiatives.
Participants shared a common ambition to strengthen local creative industries and develop original intellectual property rooted in regional culture.
Future challenges include:
Expanding collaboration to other Asian countries
Establishing evaluation frameworks for collaborative projects
Enhancing communication in multilingual, cross-cultural production environments
Summary
The Cross-Cultural Animation Workshop in Thailand provided a dynamic platform for creative collaboration, cultural exchange, and interdisciplinary learning.
It reinforced the importance of storytelling, teamwork, and cultural context in contemporary animation practice.
It reinforced the importance of storytelling, teamwork, and cultural context in contemporary animation practice.
