The Violinist, a project selected for TGFM 2023, went on to win the prestigious Cristal Award (Grand Prix) at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Festival. Following this remarkable achievement, TGFM conducted an email interview with the film’s director and producer, Ervin HAN.

TGFM: First of all, congratulations on winning the Cristal Awardat the Annecy International Animation Festival. It is a remarkable achievement, and we are delighted to see your work receive such well-deserved recognition! What was the first thing that went through your mind when you heard that you had won the Cristal Award? And what does this award mean to you personally?

Ervin: Honestly, disbelief. When we first conceived the film over ten years ago, even getting it made felt like a distant dream. Winning the Cristal was beyond anything we imagined. It’s a tremendous honour for our team, and I hope it’s also a meaningful moment for Singapore animation and cinema.

TGFM: Was there any reaction from the audience that particularly stood out to you? And what value do you think film festivals offer?

The eleven-minute standing ovation was unforgettable, but what stayed with me even more were the conversations afterwards. People from very different countries told me the film resonated with and deeply moved them. That’s the magic of festivals. They bring together audiences who are genuinely curious about stories beyond their own cultures.

TGFM: How did you connect the heavy theme of war with the beauty of music in this film?

Ervin: The film isn’t really about war. It’s about the people who lived through it. Music became the emotional language that allowed hope, love and memory to survive amidst the violence. Sometimes music can express what words cannot.

TGFM: Through the journey of your protagonists, what is the most important message you hoped to convey to audiences?

Ervin: That history is ultimately about people. Beyond the events and dates are ordinary lives shaped by extraordinary circumstances. I also hope the film reminds us that peace is fragile, and that compassion, art and music can endure even in the darkest moments.

TGFM: What was the biggest challenge in developing the project as an international co-production?

Ervin: Building trust. We had partners from Singapore, Spain, and Italy, each bringing different perspectives and ways of working. But everyone shared the belief that this should remain an authentically Singaporean story. That clarity of purpose made the collaboration remarkably rewarding.

TGFM: We understand that an Italian company came on board as a co-production partner following your participation in TGFM 2023. Could you share how that partnership was established?

Ervin: TGFM created the opportunity for meaningful conversations rather than immediate deals. Through those meetings we developed relationships built on trust, and eventually Cristiano Bortone and his team came on board as co-producers. It’s a reminder that co-productions are ultimately built on people as much as projects. 

I also met the manager of my composer, Ricky Ho, at TGM 2023. Even though Ricky is Singaporean, he lives in Taipei. Through his manager, we were introduced, and Ricky eventually joined the project. His beautiful score became an essential part of the film, and he was one of its key creative contributors.

TGFM: How do you view the recent growth of the Asian animation industry?

It’s an exciting time. Japan continues to set an extraordinary standard, while China, South Korea and India are all producing increasingly ambitious work. I hope the next chapter is one where Southeast Asia also finds its own voice, telling stories that are deeply rooted in our cultures but resonate around the world.

TGFM: Could you give us a small hint about your next project?

Ervin: We’re currently in production on an animated feature anthology called A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts. Like The Violinist, it’s rooted in Asian culture, but it’s a very different film, blending folklore, supernatural tales and food traditions from across the region. We’re planning to present the project at TGFM 2026, so hopefully we’ll return to TGFM, just as we did in 2023.

▶ Click here for the Application Guidelines for TGFM2026 ▶

TGFM: That sounds amazing! We’re really looking forward to it! What advice would you give to teams considering applying to TGFM in the future?

Go there to build relationships, not just to pitch. Financing and co-productions rarely happen in a single meeting. Listen as much as you speak, be clear about what makes your project unique, and remember that trust is built over time.