I have received good news which I hope will also be a pleasure for ASIFA. A few days ago, I won the Life Achievement Award at SICAF (Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival). The award was presented by the mayor of The Metropolitan City of Seoul. Although I received the award for a lifetime spent working in the animation field, the name ASIFA came to my mind first and foremost. I could not help mentioning ASIFA when I gave my acceptance speech.

Here are some fragments from my speech:

“The most important things in our life are all related to the timing. I have been involved in animation for 50 years, which means Korean animation has a 50 year history also. It is a lucky coincidence for me that ASIFA, a big part of my life, is also celebrating its 50th birthday this year. All three occasions are very meaningful to me and it is an absolute honor for me to receive the award with all of these 50th celebrations this year.”

1,337 films were entered in the festival competition from 54 countries. SICAF is a partner festival with ASIFA. Approximately 500 guests attended the opening ceremony where the award was given. Four members of ASIFA (Luca Raffaelli, Igor Prassel, Zhang Fu Gui, and Nobuhiro Aihara) who were invited as jurors listened to my words with sympathetic smiles.

I would like to think that this prize is not only for me but for ASIFA as well, and I want to share this wonderful moment with my friends of ASIFA. Again thank you for your support and I am very happy to be with you.

Best regards,

Nelson Shin, President of ASIFA