Short Animated Film About Baozi And Chinese Mom Wins Oscar

Amovie starring a cute cartoon baozi has won an Oscar.

At the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday night, Canadian-Chinese director Domee Shi won Best Animated Short Film for Bao, an eight-minute-long movie about an empty-nester Chinese mother who, during a lonely night, makes a batch of homemade stuffed buns. When one of these delectable dumplings comes to life, she decides to take care of it, giving her a second chance at motherhood.

The short film was shown before all screenings of The Incredibles 2. Shi was the first female director to direct a Pixar short film.

Born in Chongqing, Shi moved to Toronto with her family at the age of two. For the film, she drew inspiration heavily from her own life and from her mother, creating a touching portrait of the Chinese immigrant experience.

In her acceptance speech alongside producer Becky Neiman-Cobb, Shi had a message for “all the nerdy girls out there who hide behind your sketchbooks,” telling them: “Don’t be afraid to tell your stories to the world.”