Illegitimate voice

Directed and animated by 16 students in the Documentary Animation Production class at USC during the Spring 2021 semester.

Synopsis: Stefie Gan moved to the United States from Malaysia as a child. In this animated documentary, she recounts her experiences with culture shock, racism, and ultimately activism.

Illegitimate Voice has won 5 awards and has been selected at 11 film festivals internationally. Take a look at the film below:

Film credits

Story: Stefie Gan

Directors and Animators:
Taylor Bazile
Will Casse
Uma Chatterjee
Ashley Clark
Victoria Cruell
Pedro Edmond
Stefie Gan
Kacey Layson
Oscar Li
Armando Sepulveda Mendoza
Giulia Pan
Aaron Parris
Rachel Priebe
Ashley Lynn Raymer
Maria “Lupita” Roa
Lau Rodriguez

Music: Seowon Hyun

Editing: Will Casse

Sound Design: Rachel Priebe

Production Coordinator: Ashley Lynn Raymer

Storyboards: Pedro Edmond, Stefie Gan, Kacey Layson, Oscar Li, Giulia Pan, Rachel Priebe, Maria “Lupita” Roa, Lau Rodriguez, Armando Sepulveda Mendoza, Victoria Cruell

Color Design: Kacey Layson

Character Design: Victoria Cruell, Aaron Parris, Pedro Edmond, Kacey Layson, Giulia Pan, Rachel Priebe, Maria “Lupita” Roa, Armando Sepulveda Mendoza, Oscar Li

End Credits: Ashley Lynn Raymer

Production Supervisor: Hao Chen

Sound Mixing: Rich Hyland

Student Assistant: Georgina Gonsalves

Faculty Advisor: Sheila M. Sofian

Festivals & Distribution/Licensing: Sandrine Faucher Cassidy

SELECTIONS

2021 Official Selection, Festival Angaelica
2021 Official Selection, Palm Springs Animation Festival
2021 Winner - Best Animation, Andromeda Film Festival
2021 Director’s Choice, Supernova Digital Animation Festival
2021 Winner - Best Student Documentary, Los Angeles Animation Film Festival
2022 Official Selection, Positively Different Short Film Festival
2022 Official Selection, Central Michigan International Film Festival
2022 Winner - Special Mention Best Animation, DisOrient Asian American Film Festival
2022 Official Selection, Big Muddy Film Festival
2022 Honorable Mention, International Children Care Film Festival
2022 Winner - Outstanding Animation, Micheaux Film Festival
2022 Winner - Racial Justice, My Hero International Film Festival
2023 Winner - 2nd Place Canuto Awards Documentaries for Children, “Un, docs, tres por mí” Mexican Film Festival
2023 Winner - Best Film, Youth Collective Film Festival