Posted by Independent Shorts Awards is pleased to announce that Satomi, written and directed by Rayner Wang (Hong Kong/Japan/USA), has been selected as the Best Short of November 2025. Among a strong group of submissions this month, the film distinguished itself through its polished technical execution, cohesive visual design, and thoughtful integration of animation within a live-action narrative.
A Cohesive Blend of Hand-Drawn Animation and Live Action
Satomi centers on Mayumi, a talented young performer whose stage fright undermines an important audition. Her unexpected encounter with her idol — an anime character who appears in the real world — opens a path toward self-confidence, expressed through a subtle fusion of fantasy and emotional realism.
A key feature of the film is its commitment to hand-drawn 2D animation, created by the acclaimed Duncan Studio in Los Angeles (known for Mary Poppins Returns). Complemented by the expressive character artwork of Japanese illustrator Togekinoko, the animated components integrate smoothly with the live-action footage, giving the film a unified aesthetic that honors the hybrid traditions of earlier cinema.
A Story Grounded in Character, Memory, and Period Detail
While the film incorporates playful fantasy elements, its emotional core remains centered on Mayumi’s personal struggle. Wang guides the character’s arc through nuanced gestures rather than heightened drama, allowing the film’s visuals and pacing to convey much of the progression.
The 1990s setting is thoughtfully established through cinematography, production design, and color palette, resulting in a quiet period authenticity. The film maintains a measured rhythm throughout, building toward a final act that emphasizes confidence and self-recognition over spectacle.
About the Director
Hong Kong–born Rayner Wang spent part of his childhood in the United Kingdom, where his interest in visual storytelling began. He later studied film and animation at the University of the Arts London, earning both an Associate’s degree in film and a Bachelor’s degree in animation.
His early professional experiences include work with Ridley Scott Associates and Imagi Animation Studios in Hong Kong, contributing to storyboarding, editorial work, and concept development across animated projects. Wang continues to divide his time internationally, drawing inspiration from films, classical animation, anime, comics, theater, and video games. His influences range from Stanley Kubrick, Ang Lee, and Peter Jackson to Don Bluth, Richard Williams, Ray Harryhausen, Hayao Miyazaki, and Steven Spielberg.
A Celebrated Return to Independent Shorts Awards
Wang’s relationship with Independent Shorts Awards dates back to 2020, when his film Circus Sam premiered in California with the festival and received Best Children Short of the Year. That recognition marked an early step in his creative path, and Satomi builds on the same interest in hybrid techniques and family-driven storytelling.
Director’s Creative Approach
Wang describes Satomi as a longstanding personal ambition — an effort to bridge traditional Western animation, Japanese anime aesthetics, and live-action filmmaking. His creative reflections are woven directly into the film’s conceptual approach.
He cites classic hybrid films such as Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit as key inspirations. The decision to set the story in the 1990s reflects both his personal connection to that era and his belief that anime reached a significant artistic peak during this period.
Wang also highlights the contributions of animator Ken Duncan and the Duncan Studio team, whose hand-drawn work forms the core of the film’s hybrid identity, as well as illustrator Togekinoko, whose character designs shaped the look of the animated leads.
He expresses interest in further developing Satomi, noting that a potential feature-length adaptation remains a possibility.
With its Best Short of the Season (Special Jury Award) win, Satomi advances as a contender for the 2026 Annual Awards at Regal LA Live in Los Angeles.
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