Surf Soup, Donna Kay Lau, children's books, book launch, animation, independent animation, kids media, cultural storytelling, Asian American creator, creative journey, author illustrator, Emmy honored animator, Oscar qualified film, Kickstarter campaign, Surf Soup Buttons, family stories, 2D animation, hand drawn animation, inspiring kids, creative education

Surf Soup TV

Surf Soup, Donna Kay Lau, kids books, children's animation, book launch, 2D animation, Asian American stories, creative kids, author illustrator, indie animation, hand drawn animation, kids media, storytelling for kids, inspiring stories, cultural books

This is a special Q and A with creator Donna Kay Lau about her Oscar qualified animated short film Buttons. In this episode Donna shares the inspiration behind the story which is rooted in her Chinese American heritage and childhood memories growing up in her grandfather's Los Angeles laundry during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Buttons is hand drawn in traditional two dimensional animation and is based on her children's book from the Surf Soup series. The film explores identity culture and legacy through the eyes of a young girl who discovers stories from her family's past through a simple box of buttons. Hear how this deeply personal story came to life from concept to completion and why independent storytelling matters now more than ever.

Hi friends, it’s Donna Kay Lau — Emmy-honored animator, author of over 100 Surf Soup® books, and creator of the Surf Soup® universe.

I’m asking for your help.

I just launched my Kickstarter for my first hand-drawn animated short film called Buttons, inspired by my grandfather’s Chinese laundry in Los Angeles and the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act. This film is Oscar-qualifying with a theatrical premiere in Hollywood — and I need your support to help bring it to the world.

I’ve poured everything into this. As a solo creator- this dream has been years in the making.

If you’ve ever believed in me, my art, or the mission of Surf Soup® — please back my campaign or help spread the word.

🎬 Support the Kickstarter now:
👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/surfsoup/surf-soup-buttons-an-asian-american-animated-short

Your support isn’t just funding a film — it’s honoring a legacy. It’s giving voice to stories that were once silenced. And it’s helping an Asian American woman share joy, imagination, and identity through animation.

Thank you with all my heart.

#SurfSoup #ButtonsFilm #Kickstarter #Animation #AsianAmericanStories #SupportIndieFilm