Recently, the Animation Career Review (AMC STUFF), a leading authority in animation evaluations, released its 2024 international animation school rankings (excluding U.S. institutions). The Animation Program at Beijing Film Academy (BFA) has once again ascended in global reputation, now ranking 14th worldwide. Since 2020, BFA’s Animation Program has shown continuous improvement, climbing from 21st to its current 14th position.
Currently, the Animation Program at Beijing Film Academy stands as the 14th globally and 1st in China!
The Animation Career Review (AMC STUFF) is a professional data platform specializing in animation, game design, graphic design, and digital arts. Founded in 2011, the organization is dedicated to providing comprehensive information to aspiring animation and game design professionals. With 100,000 unique visitors per month, 90% of its traffic comes from Canada and the United States, making it the world’s most authoritative animation education evaluation organization.
Screenshot of AMC STUFF webpage
Beijing Film Academy: The Oldest and Most Culturally Rich Institution in Animation Education
Beijing Film Academy (BFA) is the pioneer of animation education in China, with a distinguished history dating back to 1952 when Qian Jiajun and others established an animation class at the Film School of the Central Ministry of Culture’s Film Bureau. It later evolved into the Animation Program within the Fine Arts Department in 1976, and in 2000, it established the first Animation School in the nation. This makes BFA the oldest higher education institution for animation in China. In 2004, BFA was honored as the National Animation Education Research Base, and in 2005, it became the first higher education institution in the country capable of independently producing theatrical animated films. It was among the first to receive national first-class animation undergraduate program accreditation and is the only arts institution with a Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center.
Over 72 years of development, BFA has nurtured many of China’s senior animation artists and cultivated numerous young and middle-aged animation directors, screenwriters, art designers, cartoonists, and game designers. The academy has also provided professional training and resources to over 300 institutions nationwide. The faculty and alumni of BFA’s Animation Program are actively involved at the forefront of the animation industry. Their achievements have garnered widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally, making an indelible contribution to the prosperity and development of China’s animation industry.
The senior generation of animation artists graduated from the Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy: Broad Global Collaboration and Deep International Integration
Beijing Film Academy (BFA) is a pioneering force in China’s animation education, leading the way in global engagement. Before other institutions in the nation, BFA had already established extensive connections with international educational resources. Notably, Japanese animation legend Norio Tajima (Fang Ming) was invited to teach at BFA’s Animation School as early as 1985. The academy’s Honorary Wall of International Professors shines with esteemed names such as Canadian animation master and Oscar winner Frederic Back, renowned for his works “The Man Who Planted Trees” and “The Mighty River”; Richard Taylor, founder of New Zealand’s Weta Workshop and Oscar-winning special effects maestro known for his contributions to “The Lord of the Rings,” “King Kong,” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
Other prominent figures include Japanese animation producer and “Father of Pikachu” Masakazu Kubo, President of the Japan Society for Animation Studies Masashi Koide, Japanese animator and manga artist Yoshimi Kurata, Honorary President of the Korean Society of Cartoon and Animation Studies Son Gi-Hwan, DreamWorks Animation founding member Shelly Page, and Swiss animation master Georges Schwizgebel. These international leaders have not only visited BFA to give lectures but also taught courses, sharing their invaluable expertise.
With over 100 internationally and domestically appointed professors conducting lectures and courses in their respective fields, BFA provides students with a wealth of academic resources and practical experience. Through this diverse and top-tier faculty, BFA’s Animation Program enriches students’ academic perspectives and contributes significantly to the advancement of animation education and the industry both in China and globally.
International guests visiting during the 2023 awards ceremony at the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy
In 2024, Swiss animation master Georges Schwizgebel visited the school to conduct a master workshop.
The 2024 Beijing Film Academy and Victoria University of Wellington international exchange student program admission ceremony.
Teachers and students from the ADA Experimental Class of the Animation School at Beijing Film Academy attended a summer workshop at Gobelins School in France.
In 2024, Beijing Film Academy animation students participated in an exchange program at New York Film Academy in the United States.
Beijing Film Academy: Distinguished for Practical Excellence and Rich Creative Achievements
The Animation Program at Beijing Film Academy (BFA) emphasizes practical training as the cornerstone of its teaching philosophy. The faculty consistently produces outstanding works that have garnered numerous awards both domestically and internationally, earning high recognition and prestige in the field.
Professor Sun Lijun directed “Autumn Realization,” the world’s first 8K ink-wash animation short film, which was the only Chinese entry at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival. It also received a nomination for “Best Animated Feature” at the 33rd Golden Rooster Awards, won the Silver Award for Animation Short at the 16th China International Cartoon and Animation Festival’s “Golden Monkey Awards,” the Best Educational Film at the 14th Athens Animfest, and Best Animation at the Festigious International Film Festival in the USA. Another film by Professor Sun, “The Beginning of Autumn,” won the Silver Award for Comprehensive Animation Short at the 17th China International Cartoon and Animation Festival’s “Golden Monkey Awards,” the Best Work Award at the 9th Asia Microfilm Art Festival, and was nominated for “Best Animated Feature” at the 34th Golden Rooster Awards. His stop-motion animation “New Three Forks” was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and “Fly to the Moon” won the “Best Children’s Film Award” at the Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival, introducing the concept of “digital virtual characters” for the first time and earning a nomination for “Best Supporting Actor.”
“Chinese Tales,” co-directed by BFA faculty member Chen Liaoyu, produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio and Bilibili, represents a significant exploration and inheritance of a century of Chinese animation, integrating cross-cultural artistic expressions. The segment “Goose, Goose, Goose” was the only Chinese work selected for the WORLD PANORAMA at the Zagreb International Animation Festival. “Zhong Kui,” an animated film directed by BFA alumni Wang Yuxi and Huang Shanchuan and produced by iQIYI Pictures, was shortlisted for the Golden Goblet Awards at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival. The film “Cotton Candy and Cloud Mom,” written by BFA faculty member Ge Jing and directed by Xu Zheng, is the first major animated film from a female child’s perspective and the first to be released nationwide with an accessible version for visually impaired audiences. “Martin the Magical: Monster Battle,” scripted by BFA faculty member Sun Ping, was showcased at the Shanghai International Film Festival and Beijing China Animation Week.
BFA students have also excelled on the international stage, setting new records in various international animation competitions. For example, graduate student Alsubek Nuhan’s thesis film “I, from the Grassland” was selected from 1,749 entries worldwide and shortlisted for the 43rd Student Academy Awards. The collaborative work “Winter on the Head” by the 2017 Ada Experimental Class was recognized at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film. Faculty-led projects have been shortlisted for the 2024 Hiroshima Animation Season and multiple global animation festivals, such as “Kite with Earth,” showcasing the forward-thinking and effective teaching philosophy of BFA. These achievements underscore the ability of BFA students to showcase Chinese culture on the international stage, further solidifying BFA’s leadership in global animation education.
The number of awards won by BFA’s animation faculty and students, both domestically and internationally, is countless. Data shows that over 80% of the award recipients at prestigious events such as the Huabiao Awards, Golden Rooster Awards, and Five-One Project Awards are BFA graduates.
Some of the works created by faculty and students of the Animation Department at Beijing Film Academy.
Beijing Film Academy: Deep Patriotic Sentiment and Distinct National Style
The Animation Program at Beijing Film Academy (BFA) embodies the essence of the “Chinese Animation School,” adhering to the artistic philosophy of serving the people, the nation, and the world. It integrates patriotic sentiment and national style as fundamental aspects of its educational mission, linking students’ personal growth with the development of national culture and international strategy. This approach fosters a strong sense of social responsibility and deepens students’ recognition of the historical mission of the Chinese Animation School. The academy encourages students to embrace the responsibility of cultural inheritance and storytelling through Chinese narratives.
In May 2023, the project “Inheritance and Innovation of the Chinese Animation School—The ‘Chinese Solution’ for Cultivating Top Animation Talent,” led by BFA’s Animation School, won the second prize of the 2022 National Teaching Achievement Award and the first prize of the 2021 Beijing Higher Education Teaching Achievement Award. This marks the second time BFA’s animation education has received a national teaching achievement award. Additionally, the collaborative project “Cross-School Collaboration and School-Enterprise Coordination: Innovative Practices in Training High-End Animation Talent,” involving BFA, Beijing Normal University, and Communication University of China, received the second prize of the 2018 National Teaching Achievement Award and the first prize of the 2017 Beijing Higher Education Teaching Achievement Award. These accolades underscore the pioneering, exemplary, and innovative nature of BFA’s top animation talent training model (Ada Experimental Class). This educational reform focuses on improving the quality of animation talent cultivation, adjusting discipline positioning through innovative integration, and enhancing the school’s international cooperation competitiveness.
As a crucial base for Chinese animation education, BFA’s Animation School has achieved significant accomplishments in both teaching and research and played a key role in the inheritance and development of the Chinese Animation School. Through a series of innovative teaching models and curriculum designs, the academy is dedicated to cultivating animation talents with profound cultural heritage and innovative capabilities. The course “History of Chinese Animation” exemplifies the systematic and original achievements in preserving the theories and practices of the Chinese Animation School.
The Ada Experimental Class is a highlight of BFA’s Animation School. Established in honor of Ada, the director of the renowned animated film “Three Monks,” it aims to carry forward the artistic spirit of the Chinese Animation School. Through rigorous selection, the class annually chooses about 15 promising students from freshmen for focused training. Emphasizing both talent and moral integrity, the Ada Experimental Class not only highlights professional skill development but also values students’ ethical conduct and social responsibility. The class’s teaching model features internationalization and creative production, leveraging global animation collaborations and introducing international faculty and resources to provide students with diverse learning and creative opportunities. For example, the academy organized student participation in the 48-hour animation competition at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, where they won first prize. Additionally, the class employs a blended online and offline teaching model, incorporating academic salons, international workshops, and various teaching activities to enhance students’ overall competencies and innovative abilities.
By inheriting the excellent traditions of the Chinese Animation School and integrating modern educational concepts and international perspectives, BFA’s Animation School continuously innovates its talent cultivation model. This approach has significantly contributed to the development of animation both in China and globally. The Ada Experimental Class, as a paradigm of the academy’s educational reform, has nurtured numerous animation talents with international vision and local cultural confidence, showcasing the unique charm and robust strength of Chinese animation education.
Key representative of the Chinese animation school: Ada (Xu Jingda).
The Animation School’s research and teaching team at the Beijing Film Academy received a national-level teaching award.
Professor Sun Lijun’s Forum on the Continuation of the Chinese Animation School, hosted by Nanjing Art Institute.
Beijing Film Academy: At the Forefront of Theoretical Research with a Comprehensive Discourse System
Beijing Film Academy (BFA) places a strong emphasis on theoretical research and the construction of a comprehensive discourse system within its Animation Program. Since the establishment of the Animation School, it has compiled a series of textbooks, including the “21st Century Animation and Game Higher Education Planning Textbooks,” amassing over 300 volumes. These textbooks provide authoritative support for animation education across China, continually strengthening curriculum development and enhancing teaching quality.
The course “History of Chinese Animation” at BFA’s Animation School won the special prize for “Excellent Undergraduate Courses” in Beijing in 2021, and its accompanying textbook received the first prize for “Excellent Undergraduate Teaching Materials and Courseware” in Beijing. This course is widely adopted by animation programs at more than ten universities across China. The same textbook, supported by the China Book International program under the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China, has been translated into multiple languages for international publication. In 2020, the English version, The History of Chinese Animation, was published by Routledge, the third-ranked publisher globally, and is used as a textbook at the New York Film Academy. The Japanese version was published by Juritsu Co., Ltd. in Japan.
Professor Sun Lijun has authored several influential works, including Techniques and Tao: Selected Works of Sun Lijun, Ink Traces, and Culture and Aesthetics—The Inspirations of the Chinese Animation School. Professor Li Jianping has written Research on Establishing a Chinese Cultural Animation Story Material Library, while Sun Li has published Wuxia Second Dimension—Research on Wuxia Animation Types. Additionally, Sun Ping has produced significant academic works such as The Historical Changes in the Nationalization and Presentation of Chinese Animation. These publications have had a substantial impact on academic circles.
The Animation Program at BFA continues to lead in theoretical research and curriculum development, reinforcing its status as a vital contributor to both national and global animation education.
Some works published by faculty members of the Animation Department at Beijing Film Academy.
Beijing Film Academy: Leading the Way in Animation Education and Industry Impact
According to surveys conducted by alumni associations, 80% of senior professionals in China’s animation industry are graduates of the Animation Program at Beijing Film Academy (BFA). Additionally, 90% of industry peers rate BFA Animation School graduates as “excellent.” In 2019, the school graduated 120 students across its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. By 2023, the overall employment rate for the academy reached 93.3%, with a 100% employment rate for graduate students, who have secured positions in various leading animation-related enterprises and institutions.
In recent years, China’s animation industry has experienced rapid growth, establishing a significant presence on the international stage. As the leading force in China’s animation education, BFA is dedicated to cultivating outstanding talents with an international perspective and innovative spirit. The academy actively incorporates cutting-edge educational concepts and technologies, continuously expanding its exchanges and collaborations with top global universities and industry leaders. By participating in international animation festivals and competitions, BFA has not only enhanced China’s voice in higher education but also significantly boosted its academic influence.
Looking ahead, Beijing Film Academy is committed to promoting Chinese animation works worldwide and engaging in broader international exchanges and dialogues. The academy is devoted to telling Chinese stories and amplifying Chinese voices while infusing new vitality and meaning into the global dissemination of Chinese traditional culture. Through these efforts, BFA aims to instill confidence in the development of Chinese arts education and contribute to enhancing cultural soft power and international competitiveness.
Sources: AMC STUFF, Beijing Film Academy, Beijing Film Academy Animation School, China Animation Research Institute, *Animation Studies, among others.*
