Nyu Wa Patches up the Sky [Photo provided to China Daily]

Speaking of the future of Chinese animation industry, Qian says he believes emerging young talent and a focus on originality may bring a revival.

Su Da, one of the studio's fastest-rising young directors, exemplifies his hope. Her latest animated feature, Dear Tutu, has become popular among family audiences since it opened across the country on July 28. The movie is a tribute to the 60th anniversary of Shanghai Animation Film Studio.

The 90-minute movie tells of a naughty boy who wins a cooking competition and is based on a popular 130-episode animated TV series that has aired since 2004.

Su has spent five years polishing the stories, and says she has been inspired by her son and supported by her father, Su Taixi, a Nanjing artist who designed some of the 200-odd characters, she says.

Su Da, who has worked in the Shanghai studio since the mid-1990s, says she hopes to continue the studio's distinctive tradition: To highlight Chinese elements in the movie.

"Tutu's tale reflects the everyday lives of Chinese families and expresses Chinese emotions. With some of the designs inspired from traditional art forms such as paper-cut and shadow puppet, we hope the movie has a unique aesthetic style."

The biggest challenge for the Chinese animated industry is a lack of "highly competent hard working people and a good environment for creation", she says.

Chinese animators should look to their Hollywood counterparts as models, people who are totally dedicated to turning out quality works.

"Animation is a very time-consuming thing, and if we want to produce something good enough to develop into a franchise, one thing we need is patience."

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