Step Into the River
WFA 2023 Home Schedule Explore the Film Guide Education Parties News+Reviews
2023 WINNER - BEST ANIMATED FILM
2020
China / France / Spain
15 mins
Chinese
Animated Film Competition
| Weijia Ma | |
| Weijia Ma | |
Lu and Wei are two young girls living in a village nestled on the banks of a river where some families drown baby girls in the river in order to have boys. The two girls have a special bond with this river. Together, they will find a magical strength to overcome the traumas of the past.

About the Director
Weijia Ma is an independent animation artist and college professor. Her documentary short film MY QUARANTINE BEAR has won the Special Mention at Vision du Réel. Her animation short STEP INTO THE RIVER has won the Best Animation Short at Palm Springs International Shortfest, Tricky Realities award at Tricky Women Film Festival, Silver Hugo award at Chicago International Film Festival and Silver Dove Audience Award at DOK Leipzig.
