Hawaiian short “Kapaemahu” took home the 15th Animayo Gran Canaria International Grand Jury Award, which included a cash prize of €3,000 ($3,400) and the chance to vie for the Academy Award’s short list of qualifying animated shorts.

Written, directed and produced by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson, “Kapaemahu” means stones of life in native Hawaiian and narrates the legend about four dual-spirit individuals who brought the healing arts of Tahiti to Hawaii, vesting their powers on four giant rocks, still revered to this day.

The international jury,  led by Claus Toksvig, the Danish animation producer of Annecy audience prize winner “Song of the Sea,” bestowed a slew of prizes to works from all over the world. Animayo received more than 1,600 submissions, of which 67 were selected to compete.

Full story HERE.