Toei Animation's full-CG short animation Magic Candies has been officially invited to the Wide Angle Short Film Showcase at the 29th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. The film is based on Magic Candies and I Am a Dog, written by South Korean author Baek Heena (published in Korea by Storybowl, in Japan by Bronze Publishing). This will be the film's first screening in Baek’s home country, South Korea.

The story follows "Dongdong," a child who struggles with communication but begins to understand others' feelings and express his own after hearing the truthful voices through magical candies. The short animation is directed by Daisuke Nishio, known for Dragon Ball Z, The Kindaichi Case Files, and Futari wa Precure, while Takashi Washio serves as producer. This marks the duo's first collaboration in nearly 20 years since they launched the hit Precure series.

The animation team behind THE FIRST SLAM DUNK at Dandelion Animation Studio worked to faithfully recreate Baek Heena's original world in vibrant 3D. The music is composed by Naoki Sato, a renowned Japanese Academy Award-winning composer, who also worked on the Precure series. Sato’s warm and gentle compositions beautifully complement Dongdong’s emotional journey, evoking strong feelings from viewers.

Baek Heena is an award-winning author known for her unique characters and stories, which are vividly brought to life through handmade dioramas and original techniques. Her works, such as Cloud Bread, Moon Sorbet, and The Strange Visitor, have gained wide recognition. In 2020, she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize for children's literature," solidifying her place as a globally recognized author.

Regarding the adaptation into an animated film, Baek expressed her thoughts: "While it's unfortunate that the production couldn’t be done in Korea, I am extremely pleased with the outcome as the Japanese team treated the project with sincerity and delivered a satisfying result. Magic Candies is beloved by Korean readers, and I was concerned that the emotional depth, background, and identity might get lost. However, the production team conducted detailed location scouting in Seoul and approached the project with utmost care. I was deeply moved by their respect for the original work."

Magic Candies has already won two awards at the 25th New York International Children's Film Festival: the Jury Award for Best Animated Short and the Audience Award. It also received the Jury Prize in the Children's Short Film category at the 64th Zlín International Film Festival for Children and Youth in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, the film has been invited to other major film festivals, including the 50th Seattle International Film Festival, the 57th Sitges Film Festival, and the 68th BFI London Film Festival.

At the Busan International Film Festival, Magic Candies will be screened in Korean to celebrate its South Korean premiere. After the screenings on October 3 and October 4, Baek Heena and Producer Washio will participate in a discussion about the original book and its animation adaptation.

In Japan, the domestic premiere of Magic Candies will take place at the Sapporo International Short Film Festival on October 13, followed by screenings at the Kineko International Film Festival in Tokyo on November 2, 3, and 4.

Source : ORICON NEWS