Animation in Southeast Asia

Compared to China, India, and Japan, Southeast Asia has had a halting and lacklustre history of animation. No known animated film predates World War II; in most countries the first works appeared during the iast quarter of the twentieth century. The amount of production in any given country, save for overseas work-for-hire, is minimal, usually consisting of one or two feature-length fUms, some independent experimental work, occasional government propaganda shorts, and many advertising assignments. This essay surveys animation in the region, pointing to its recent development and taking into account factors that may have spurred or impeded its growth (production for overseas clients, advertising agencies, or television; some government awareness of the importance of animation; increasing public interest in cartoons; availability of new technology; and promising local and international markets) and some of its common themes.