Cue the applause and roll out the red carpet, because Hong Kong’s got a new star stealing the global spotlight! Local animation whiz Chloe Ng woke up to golden news today when her breathtaking short film, Dreams Over Victoria Harbour, landed on the coveted shortlist for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best Animated Short category. Announced this morning by the South China Morning Post, it’s a Cinderella moment for the 32-year-old filmmaker – and a dazzling win for a city that’s proving it’s a creative force to be reckoned with!
The Academy’s nod dropped like a bombshell, sending Hong Kong’s film community into a jubilant frenzy. Chloe’s 12-minute masterpiece, a whimsical yet poignant tale of a young dreamer chasing her ambitions above the city’s iconic skyline, has been racking up buzz since its debut at last year’s Hong Kong International Film Festival. Now, it’s one of just a handful of shorts vying for Oscar gold, putting Ng in the company of animation titans and shining a neon-bright light on Hong Kong’s burgeoning indie scene. “I’m still pinching myself,” Chloe told reporters via Zoom, her voice bubbling with disbelief. “This is for every dreamer in Hong Kong who’s ever looked up at the stars.”
Dreams Over Victoria Harbour is pure visual poetry – think hand-drawn frames that dance between the gritty charm of Kowloon rooftops and the glittering sweep of the harbour at dusk. It’s a love letter to the city, woven with Ng’s signature style: delicate lines, bold colors, and a heart that beats with local soul. “Hong Kong’s a melting pot of chaos and beauty,” she explained. “I wanted to capture that – the way our dreams clash and soar here.” The film’s universal themes of hope and hustle, paired with its distinctly Canto flair, have critics swooning. “A tiny gem that packs a punch,” raved one festival juror. “It’s Hong Kong in a nutshell.”
The news hit the city like a Lunar New Year firecracker, just days into the festive season. Social media exploded with pride – #ChloeNgOscar was trending by lunchtime, with fans and filmmakers alike toasting her triumph. “She’s our hometown hero!” cheered one X user, posting a sketch of the film’s starry-eyed protagonist. Another gushed: “From HK to Hollywood – Chloe’s showing the world what we’ve got!” Local cineplexes are scrambling to host weekend screenings, with Ng slated to pop in for Q&As that’ll no doubt sell out faster than a dim sum brunch.
This isn’t just Chloe’s moment – it’s a banner day for Hong Kong animation, which has been quietly flexing its muscles on the global stage. Ng, who cut her teeth at a Causeway Bay studio before going solo, credits the city’s unique vibe for her spark. “We’ve got this hustle, this mix of East and West – it’s in our DNA,” she said. “Animation here is blowing up, and I’m just honored to ride the wave.” Industry insiders agree: with a 60% jump in animation submissions at HKIFF this year, Hong Kong’s creatives are ready for their close-up.
Naturally, the Oscar shortlist is just the opening act. Chloe’s now in the nail-biting run-up to the final nominations, set to be revealed next month, with the big night slated for March. Could she be the first Hongkonger to snag an animated Oscar? Bookies are already laying odds, and fans are dreaming of her strutting the Dolby Theatre carpet in a gown inspired by Victoria Harbour’s lights. “I’d wear the skyline if I could,” she laughed, hinting at a bespoke design in the works.
For now, Chloe’s keeping it real – celebrating with family over hot pot tonight and plotting her next move. “This isn’t the end,” she promised. “It’s the start.” So, raise a glass, Hong Kong – Chloe Ng’s taking our dreams to Hollywood, and she’s doing it with style, heart, and a skyline that’s finally getting its Oscar-worthy glow!
