It is pleased to announce that the AI animated short film Sushi Party, directed by Dr. Sobel Chan Ka Lok, Senior Lecturer of the School of Communication, has received a series of international recognitions across art-tech, AI cinema, and animation film festivals. The film has been officially selected by Miami Art-Tech Summit 2025, AI Film Awards Cannes 2025, AI Short Film Festival Larissa Lumina 2025, and Brighton International Animation Festival 2026, and was also named a Finalist at Neu Wave AI Film Festival 2025.
The latest recognition comes from the Brighton International Animation Festival 2026, where Sushi Party has been officially selected for the “You’ve Got to Laugh” comedy animation programme, scheduled for 25 April 2026 at the Brighton Dome Studio Theatre in UK. This selection is particularly meaningful as the Brighton International Animation Festival is a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)-qualifying animation festival, further affirming the film’s international visibility and professional recognition.
The standing of the BIAF jury also reflects the festival’s strong professional profile. Its jury brings together internationally recognized animation and creative industry figures, including Nina Gantz, a BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated Dutch animation director; Golden Wolf, an award-winning creative agency with offices in London and New York; and Amy Ashton, co-founder and director of BlackFrame, who has extensive experience in animation, commercials, children’s series, music videos, and community-based creative production.
The wider festival journey of Sushi Party reflects Dr. Chan’s continuous exploration of generative AI, animation, comedy, and visual storytelling. The film also aligns with the School of Communication’s commitment to creative media innovation, digital storytelling, and the integration of emerging technologies into communication education. Through this achievement, Dr. Chan’s work demonstrates how AI-assisted animation filmmaking can open new creative possibilities for both professional media production and future-oriented communication education
Image : Sushi Party was officially selected for the “You’ve Got to Laugh” comedy animation programme at Brighton International Animation Festival 2026.
