Singapore-led animated feature The Violinist has won Best Animated Film at the 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, held at The Star Gold Coast in Australia.
Directed by Singaporean filmmaker Ervin Han and Spanish animation director Raul Garcia, the Singapore–Spain–Italy co-production follows Fei, a gifted Peranakan violinist, through the turbulent years leading up to and during the Japanese Occupation. Its hand-painted animation and original score tell a story of friendship, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of music.
The award follows the film’s double win at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it became the first Singapore-led production to receive the Cristal for a Feature Film. It also took home the SACEM Award for Best Original Soundtrack.
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“We are incredibly honoured to receive this recognition at the 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards. The Violinist has always been a deeply personal project, rooted in Singapore’s history and stories. To see it resonate with audiences across the region is truly heartening,” said Han, who also co-wrote the film.
“This award is a testament to the dedication of our talented team and international partners, and we hope it inspires more Singaporean filmmakers to share our stories with the world.”
The film’s international run has included selections at the Toronto International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival. It has also received three nominations at the 63rd Golden Horse Awards, for Best Animated Feature, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Film Score.
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More than ten years in development, The Violinist marks Han’s feature directorial debut. Han co-founded Singapore animation studio Robot Playground Media with Bernard Toh in 2013, and the film represents the studio’s most ambitious production to date.
The Violinist opened in Singapore cinemas on 17 September.
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