Dive into Surf Soup® Buttons, a heartwarming, hand-drawn 2D animated short film created by Emmy-honored animator Donna Kay Lau. Inspired by her Chinese American heritage and childhood experiences, this Oscar-qualifying film tells the story of a young button's journey through a vibrant world of fabric and sewing notions. Premiering in Hollywood, Buttons honors Lau's immigrant family's legacy and showcases the beauty of independent animation. Explore behind-the-scenes insights, character designs, and the creative process that brought this unique story to life.
Watch Surf Soup® Buttons, the Oscar-qualified hand-drawn animated short by Emmy-honored animator Donna Kay Lau, inspired by her Chinese American heritage.
Hollywood, California-September14, 2025
Independent filmmaker, author, and Emmy-honored animator Donna Kay Lau proudly announces that her hand-drawn animated short film Surf Soup® Buttons has successfully completed its Oscar-qualifying theatrical run, supported by a fully funded Kickstarter campaign. The milestone now allows Lau to officially submit the film for Academy Award® consideration.
“This journey has been fueled entirely by community support,” said Lau. “From Kickstarter backers to audiences who showed up in theaters, Surf Soup Buttons exists because of you. I am beyond grateful.”
Alongside this achievement, Lau just finished producing the original music album for the Surf Soup® cartoon, further expanding the whimsical, heartfelt world of Surf Soup Island. She also has three brand-new children’s books in studio production: Surf Soup: Plastic Soup, Surf Soup: Hot and Sour Soup, and Surf Soup: Mom is WOW (Upside Down!).
These projects continue Lau’s mission of creating independent, culturally rooted stories that inspire children through art, imagination, and resilience.
✨ Surf Soup® Buttons Hits the Big Screen!
Hollywood Premiere • Sept 8–14 at Cinelounge Sunset
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📅 Premiere Run: September 8–14, 2025
📍 Location: Cinelounge Sunset – 6464 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA
🎟️ Tickets: Available now at CineloungeFilm.com
The wait is over! My hand-drawn animated short Surf Soup® Buttons is officially Oscar® qualified and premiering on the big screen. Rooted in my Chinese American heritage and inspired by my family’s story, this whimsical Surf Soup tale brings heartfelt history, laughter, and imagination together in every frame.
Come celebrate independent animation, culture, and storytelling at this special event!
How to buy tickets:
🎬 How to Buy Tickets for Surf Soup® Buttons Premiere
at Cinelounge Hollywood (Sept 8–14, 2025)
Go to cineloungefilm.com
Select Cinelounge Hollywood as the location.
In the listings, look for the gray box with the film title: Surf Soup® Buttons.
Click the film title.
Scroll down to see future show dates.
Choose the date you want to attend.
Click your showtime, then follow checkout to pay with a credit card.
🌊✨ That’s it — you’re all set to see Surf Soup® Buttons on the big screen!
Surf Soup® Buttons
📅 September 8–14, 2025
📍 Cinelounge Sunset – 6464 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA
🎟 Tickets: cineloungefilm.com
I’m so excited to share that my animated short film Surf Soup® Buttons is officially Oscar® qualified! 🎬🌊
📅 Premiere Run: September 8–14, 2025
📍 Location: Cinelounge Sunset – 6464 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA
🎟️ Tickets: Available now at CineloungeFilm.com
This is a huge milestone — from book to hand-drawn animation, inspired by my family’s story and heritage, brought to the big screen in Hollywood.
Come celebrate with me at the theater, support indie animation, and be part of this special Oscar-qualifying run!
— Donna Kay Lau
Theatre Information:
Located in the lively and energetic area of Hollywood's Vinyl District, Cinelounge® Sunset offers an upscale and exciting moviegoing experience with one auditorium. This contemporary theater supports premium formats like Dolby Cinema and features special amenities like comfortable leather seats, artisan snacks from the concession stand, and wheelchair access. Motherwolf, Thompson Rooftop, Grandmaster Recordings, Gwen, Superba are some convenient nearby spots to grab a bite to eat before or after the movie. Three-hour parking is available for $5 in the building parking lot
Buy Tickets: Choose Hollywood https:www.Cineloungefilm.com
Surf Soup® Buttons is a deeply personal and artistically crafted animated short from Emmy-honored animator, illustrator, and author Donna Kay Lau. Rooted in Lau’s Chinese American heritage, the film draws on her vivid childhood memories of time spent in her grandfather’s Los Angeles laundry, a space filled with warmth, resilience, and quiet magic—set against the historical backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act era.
In this poetic and whimsical story, a simple button becomes a key to boundless imagination. Inside a magical laundry, everyday objects—garments, sewing tools, spools of thread—come alive, unfolding into playful characters and visual metaphors for family, culture, and the resilience of the immigrant experience. Buttons act as symbolic portals, linking generations and weaving together shared memories and dreams.
Every frame of Surf Soup® Buttons was hand-drawn on paper, scanned, and completed with minimal digital compositing to preserve the organic beauty of pencil lines and the texture of painted backgrounds. Watercolor-inspired imagery infuses the film with softness and nostalgia, while the layered composition gives depth to its magical realism.
The film’s independent, handcrafted approach mirrors the perseverance and resourcefulness at the heart of Lau’s family history. At its core, Surf Soup® Buttons is more than a story about a laundry—it’s a celebration of heritage, memory, and the everyday magic that stitches life together.
Credits:
Director Donna Kay Lau
Writer Donna Kay Lau
Producer Donna Kay Lau
Animator Donna Kay Lau
Editor Donna Kay Lau
Music J.S. Bach (Public Domain), arranged by Donna Kay Lau
Note: Sole creator and filmmaker.
Logline: A Chinese American girl uncovers her family's hidden strength through a bowl of buttons -sewn with stories of survival, the Exclusion Era, and deep-rooted resilience.
Surf Soup® Buttons is a hand-drawn animated short inspired by Emmy-honored animator Donna Kay Lau’s Chinese American heritage and childhood memories of her grandfather’s Los Angeles laundry during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
In this whimsical and heartfelt story, a magical laundry transforms everyday garments and buttons into gateways to imagination, culture, and resilience. Blending traditional 2D animation—drawn by hand on paper and painted with textured, warm-inspired backgrounds—the film preserves the warmth and authenticity of classic animation while delivering a deeply personal narrative.
Through humor, visual poetry, and cultural detail, Surf Soup® Buttons celebrates the strength of family bonds and the universal longing for belonging. Lau’s artistry honors her heritage while inviting audiences to reflect on their own histories and connections.
Donna Kay Lau is an Emmy-honored animator, author, and illustrator whose work spans television, film, and children’s literature. She is the creator of the Surf Soup® book series (100+ titles) and the Oscar-qualified animated short Surf Soup® Buttons. Drawing on her Chinese American heritage and a career in hand-drawn animation, Lau’s work blends cultural storytelling with whimsical artistry. She has contributed to beloved animated series for major networks, while independently producing original works that preserve the craft of traditional animation. Through her films, books, and art, Lau celebrates identity, heritage, and the magic hidden in everyday life. Surf Soup® Buttons is her first Oscar-submitted film, a labor of love created entirely by hand.
Surf Soup® Buttons is a love letter to my heritage, my family, and the art form that shaped my life. I grew up in my grandfather’s Los Angeles laundry, a place that—on the surface—was filled with starch, steam, and the hum of sewing machines. But to me, it was a magical world where threads danced, buttons rolled like tiny planets, and every corner held a story.
This film is rooted in those early memories and in the resilience of my family’s immigrant journey. My grandfather’s laundry existed during the lingering impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act, a time when belonging was fragile. Yet, inside those walls, I found a sense of home and the quiet strength of cultural connection.
I chose to create this film using traditional 2D animation—drawing every frame by hand on paper—because the tactile quality of pencil lines mirrors the intimacy of memory. The process was slow, personal, and deliberate, echoing the way family stories are passed down: one detail at a time, with care.
Surf Soup® Buttons is not just about a magical laundry—it’s about identity, perseverance, and the threads that tie generations together. I hope audiences leave not only entertained but reminded of their own small, magical places and the people who shaped them.
🎬 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
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
Big news! 🎬 My Oscar-qualified animated short Surf Soup® Buttons is premiering in Hollywood at Cinelounge Sunset, September 8–14, 2025.
Along with the film, I’ve launched 13 new Surf Soup® books and 8+ music albums—sharing creativity, kindness, and inspiration with kids and families everywhere.
🎟️ Tickets: cineloungefilm.com
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
🎵 Music: https://Surfsouptv.Bandcamp.com
🎬✨ 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! 🏆✨
Donna Kay Lau is an Emmy® honored TV animator whose work has appeared on shows for Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network,. She is the creator of the Surf Soup® book series and the Oscar®-qualified animated short Surf Soup® Buttons, blending heartfelt storytelling with hand-drawn artistry.
📷 Photo link: IMDb profile
Author of over 100 Surf Soup® books (in six languages) plus multiple spin-off series, Donna’s stories weave culture, humor, and life lessons into whimsical worlds. Her latest works expand into multimedia projects, merchandise, and TV animation development.
From running Kickstarter campaigns to producing theatrical premieres, Donna thrives on doing it all — writing, illustrating, animating, producing, and promoting her own work. Her registered Surf Soup® trademark has grown into a full creative brand, with films, books, music, and upcoming TV shows.
Los Angeles, CA – September 2025 — Emmy-honored TV animator About Donna Kay Lau & Surf Soup®and award-winning author Donna Kay Lau is set to premiere her independent animated short film Surf Soup® Buttons with a 7-day Oscar-qualifying theatrical run, September 8–14, 2025, at Cinelounge Sunset, Hollywood (6464 Sunset Blvd.).
Inspired by her Chinese American heritage and her childhood in her grandfather’s LA laundry, Surf Soup® Buttonsweaves a heartfelt story of resilience, family, and creativity. The hand-drawn 2D animated short is based on Lau’s beloved children’s book series Surf Soup®.
In addition to the film premiere, Lau has launched 13 new Surf Soup® books (bringing the total to over 100), and released 8+ Surf Soup® music albums—expanding her universe of storytelling across media.
“This is more than a film—it’s a lifelong dream,” says Lau. “I want Surf Soup® to inspire kids, families, and communities everywhere to create, imagine, and never give up.”
Lau is also preparing for school visits and creative workshops, continuing her mission to blend art, education, and culture through the Surf Soup® series.
Premiere Details:
Donna Kay Lau is an Emmy-honored TV animator, award-winning author, illustrator, and independent filmmaker. She is the creator of the Surf Soup® universe—an ever-growing collection of over 100 children’s books, 8+ music albums, and now, the Oscar-qualified animated short film Surf Soup® Buttons.
Her work blends creativity, culture, and kindness, drawing inspiration from her Chinese American heritage and her childhood in her grandfather’s Los Angeles laundry during the Chinese Exclusion Act era. Lau’s mission is to spark imagination, resilience, and joy for children and families everywhere through books, animation, music, and school visits.
Emmy-Honored Animator Donna Kay Lau Brings Her Chinese American Heritage to Life in a Hand-Drawn 2D Film Inspired by Her Grandfather’s LA Laundry
LOS ANGELES – August 8, 2025 – Emmy-honored animator, author, and illustrator Donna Kay Lau celebrates a milestone day with the launch of her newest children’s book Surf Soup® Buttons, the launch of her Kickstarter campaign, and the upcoming theatrical Oscar-qualifying run of her animated short film of the same name at Cinelounge in Hollywood, September 8–14, 2025.
Surf Soup® Buttons is a whimsical, heartfelt animated short inspired by Lau’s Chinese American heritage and her childhood spent in her grandfather’s Los Angeles laundry. Drawn entirely by hand on paper and finished with traditional painted backgrounds, the 2D short blends cultural storytelling, humor, and the tactile beauty of classic animation.
The film’s theatrical run at Cinelounge, 6464 Sunset, Hollywood, CA qualifies it for consideration in the Best Animated Short Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards®. The companion book release expands the Surf Soup® series to over 100 titles, bringing Lau’s imaginative world to both the screen and the page.
“Surf Soup® Buttons is about more than a magical laundry—it’s about family, identity, and finding wonder in the everyday,” said Lau. “This story stitches together my heritage with the joy of hand-crafted animation.”
Screening times, tickets, and Kickstarter details can be found at https://Surfsoup.tv
Surf Soup Book Series://https://bit.ly/m/SurfSoupTV
About Donna Kay Lau / Surf Soup Studios
Donna Kay Lau is an Emmy-honored animator, illustrator, and author whose work spans television, film, and children’s literature. She is the creator of the Surf Soup® book series—now over 100 titles—and the Oscar-qualified animated short Surf Soup® Buttons. Lau’s work blends cultural storytelling with whimsical artistry, often inspired by her Chinese American heritage and personal history. As founder of Surf Soup Studios, she is dedicated to preserving the craft of traditional hand-drawn animation and sharing meaningful, imaginative stories with audiences worldwide.
Surf Soup® Buttons is Oscar-qualified for Best Animated Short and is available for press interviews, screenings, and festival programming.
Oscar Qualifying Animated Short Film- Private Link Please Request
Surf Soup Buttons
An Immigrant’s Asian American Dream Born in Grandpa’s Laundry
In the back of a steamy, bustling laundromat, little Donna didn’t need toys—she had crayons, oatmeal teddy bear, and a magical porcelain chicken bowl filled with buttons and stories. This heartwarming, whimsical tale draws from the real-life childhood of an Asian American girl growing up in her grandfather’s “Laundry”
While her grandparents folded clothes and chased dreams in a new land, Donna dreamed, too—turning socks into characters, laundry machines into animation studios, and buttons into storytellers.
A tribute to family, creativity, and the power of small beginnings, Surf Soup Buttons gently introduces young readers to the immigrant experience, while celebrating imagination, love, and cultural heritage.
The book includes a special section that offers historical context about Chinese American laundries, the Chinese Exclusion Act, and a heartfelt message from the author.
Ideal for readers ages 5–12, this book is perfect for fans of Asian American stories, immigrant family tales, and anyone who believes that magic can be found in the everyday moments of life.
Paperback, Hardback, and ebook Book Launch 8/8
Surf Soup® Buttons is Oscar-qualified for Best Animated Short and is available for press interviews, screenings, and festival programming.
For Press, Festival, and Screening Inquiries
Please direct all media, interview, festival, and screening requests to:
Donna Kay Lau
Creator | Director | Producer – Surf Soup® Buttons
📧 Email: SurfsoupTV@yahoo.com
🌐 Website: https://Surfsoup.tv
For Book & Series Information
Visit: https://bit.ly/m/SurfSoupTV
Surfsouptv@yahoo.com
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🎉 We Did It! 🎉
Thanks to YOU, we successfully Kickstarted Surf Soup® Buttons — my Oscar-qualified animated short!
I’m now on my way to Academy Award submission — and the journey has just begun.
✨ Click the Buttons Button below to learn more, watch updates, and celebrate with me!