🎬✨ Today’s the day! My Oscar®-qualifying animated short Surf Soup® Buttons is premiering on the big screen at 3:00 PM at Cinelounge Sunset in Hollywood 🌴💛

This marks the start of our 7-day theatrical run (Sept 8–14)—a huge milestone in my journey as an independent animator and storyteller.

If you’re in LA, come join me for this special screening:
📍 Cinelounge Sunset, 6464 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood
🎟️ Tickets: cineloungefilm.com

Thank you for supporting Surf Soup as it takes this exciting step toward the Oscars! 🏆✨

#SurfSoup #SurfSoupButtons #Oscars2025 #Animation #IndependentFilm

Donna Kay Lau, Emmy-honored animator and creator of Surf Soup®, shares her biggest creative milestone yet in this special recap video. From completing her Oscar-qualified animated short Surf Soup® Buttons—premiering in Hollywood September 8–14, 2025—to publishing 13 new books and releasing 8+ Surf Soup® music albums, Donna takes you behind the wave of creativity.

Balancing health, family care, and art, she reflects on the journey so far and looks ahead to school visits, workshops, and inspiring kids everywhere with the Surf Soup® universe.

🎬 Surf Soup® Buttons Theatrical Premiere

📍 Cinelounge Sunset, 6464 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

📅 September 8–14, 2025

🎟️ Tickets: cineloungefilm.com

✨ Stay connected:

🌐 Website: https://Surfsoup.tv

📚 Books: https://amzn.to/3T3bQuY

🎬 Big news! My animated short Surf Soup: Buttons is premiering on the big screen in Hollywood!

📍 Cinelounge, 6464 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

📅 September 8–14

This Oscar-qualifying run is inspired by my family’s story and the Surf Soup® book series. Buttons is a hand-drawn 2D film celebrating culture, creativity, and independent animation.

🌟 Join me in celebrating this milestone and support Surf Soup on the journey to the Oscars!

🎟 Tickets & info: CineloungeFilm.com

More updates: SurfSoup.tv

#SurfSoup #SurfSoupButtons #IndependentAnimation #AsianAmericanStories #OscarQualifying #FilmPremiere #HollywoodMovies #AnimationCommunity #SurfSoupTV

Join Emmy-honored animator and author Donna Kay Lau for a special Q&A all about her independent animated short, Surf Soup® Buttons! Discover the inspiration behind the story, her Chinese American heritage, the journey from book to screen, and what it means to premiere at Cinelounge Sunset in Hollywood September 8–14, 2025.

From creating 100+ Surf Soup® books and 8+ music albums to completing this Oscar-qualified film, Donna shares her independent artistry, resilience, and dreams coming true.

🎬 Surf Soup® Buttons Theatrical Premiere

📍 Cinelounge Sunset, 6464 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood

📅 September 8–14, 2025

🎟️ Tickets: cineloungefilm.com

✨ Stay connected:

🌐 Website: https://Surfsoup.tv

📚 Books: https://amzn.to/3T3bQuY

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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

🎙️
"Welcome to the official launch of Surf Soup TV: Magical Dim Sum Sing-Along!
I'm so excited to share this magical new adventure with you.
In this story, Koa's magical hair tingles again, leading him straight into Grandma's kitchen, where steaming dim sum, singing dumplings, and unforgettable friends come to life!

Get ready for a playful journey filled with joy, music, and delicious surprises.
This book is part of the brand-new Surf Soup Asian Adventure Series — celebrating imagination, culture, and creativity for young readers everywhere.

Thank you for joining me on this special day.
Grab your chopsticks...and your sense of wonder...
because Surf Soup TV: Magical Dim Sum Sing-Along is available now!
Let’s taste the magic together!"

Surf Soup TV: Magical Dim Sum Sing-Along — Official Book Launch! 🎉
Welcome to the official launch of Surf Soup TV: Magical Dim Sum Sing-Along! 🥟🎶

In this special launch video, the magic of dim sum, music, and friendship comes alive through vibrant images and joyful sounds.
Although this video features only music, it invites you to celebrate the release of my newest children's book — a flavorful adventure where imagination steams and dreams take flight! ✨🌈

🌟 About the Book:
Follow Koa and his magical hair as he stirs up fun in Grandma’s kitchen! New friends, delicious adventures, and sing-alongs await in this latest chapter of the Surf Soup TV series.

🌟 Part of the New Surf Soup Asian Adventure Series!
Discover a growing collection of heartwarming Surf Soup books that celebrate culture, creativity, and connection.

📚 Available now wherever books are sold!
🎉 Thank you for being part of this magical journey!