Sam KUWA
Animation Filmmaker, Curator

Born in Chongqing, China, in 1996. After leaving university in China, he moved to Japan in 2017, where he began studying Japanese and learning to draw. He discovered independent animation while studying at the Department of Animation at Tokyo Polytechnic University.
His undergraduate graduation film, Shape of the Elephant, won 10 awards, including the Stéphane Aubier Award at Hiroshima Animation Season and Best Animated Film at the Student International Film Festival (STIFF), and was selected for more than 40 international film and animation festivals, including PÖFF Shorts.
In 2026, he earned a master's degree from the Graduate School of Film and New Media at Tokyo University of the Arts. His graduation film, So He Grabbed the Knife, won the Dušan Vukotić Award for Best Student Film at Animafest Zagreb 2026, Best Film in the International Competition at LINOLEUM Animation Festival, Best Short Animation at the 12th Minikino Film Week, a Special Mention for Best Student Animated Short at Fest Anča 2026, and the Special Jury Prize at the PIA Film Festival, among other honors.
Biography
1996-
2017-
-2023
-2026
2026-
Born in Chongqing, China
Moved to Japan and began studying drawing
BFA, Department of Animation, Tokyo Polytechnic University
MFA, Department of Animation, Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts
Educational and Research Assistant, Tokyo University of the Arts
Filmography
2026
2023
Activities
2023
Solo Exhibition, Elephant in the Room, Tsutaya Books, Chengdu, China
2025
Lecture, Crossing the Boundaries of Media: Self-Exploration through Animation, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, Chongqing, China
2026
Contact
instagram: kuwa_wakuwaku
X: @kuwanimation
Facebook: @kuwasam
REDnote(xiaohongshu): kuwa裤袜