Between Worlds: An International Journey in Animation

Sometimes surviving in animation feels like running a marathon in shoes two sizes too small — especially as an international artist. In this talk, Aloha (Haekyung) Lee shares the highs and lows of her not-so-straight path, from Squid Game to Pixar to indie filmmaking and beyond. She reflects on the unique challenges internationals face in animation — and how resilience, adaptability, and multicultural perspectives can turn struggles into strengths. With lessons learned through trial and error, Aloha explores what it takes to keep moving forward even when the path is anything but straight, offering encouragement for artists striving to find their place in the industry.