Meet Alumni Ngo Minh Thanh: From A Tom & Jerry Enthusiast To An International Animation Filmmaker

With the Special Mention for Best Student Animation at Palm Springs International ShortFest 2025—one of the largest short film festivals in North America, featuring multiple Oscar-qualifying categories —Vinser alumnus Ngo Minh Thanh is steadily making his mark on the path toward a professional career in animation. This achievement is just one of many highlights in Minh Thanh’s portfolio.

He has also received the Winner Student International Character-Based 2D award at the Los Angeles Animation Festival 2024, the Best Creative Canadian Student Film award at the Animaze Montreal International Animation Festival, and multiple nominations at prestigious film festivals and competitions, including the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, SPARK Competition, San Diego Asian Film Festival, and Calgary International Film Festival.

These accomplishments have enabled Thanh to demonstrate his professional capabilities through the development of a high-quality portfolio—an element that is highly valued and often considered a “passport” for those pursuing careers in animation and other creative industries.

Beyond an impressive portfolio featuring numerous projects, awards, and international nominations, Minh Thanh has also pursued a rigorous academic pathway in animation. He graduated from the Animation program at Algonquin College (Canada), which is ranked among the Top 6 animation schools in the world and the Top 4 in Canada. He is now expanding his expertise into Visual Effects and Motion Design through the Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design program at Munster Technological University (Ireland), where he is working toward completing an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in the field of digital creativity.

With a portfolio rich in international achievements and a well-structured, in-depth educational background, alumnus Minh Thanh is steadily establishing himself as a promising young filmmaker while moving closer to his goal of pursuing a professional career in animation on the international stage. However, few people know that behind these achievements lies a journey rooted in a simple childhood love for animated films. For Minh Thanh, episodes of Tom & Jerry, programs on Disney Channel, and Pixar movies were not only sources of entertainment, but also sparked his curiosity about how people could create worlds filled with color and emotion.

His passion for animation was nurtured throughout his school years at Vinschool. Thanh was encouraged to pursue his interest in animation within an open learning environment that respected each student’s individuality and aspirations. He shared that he was always given opportunities to incorporate drawing and visual thinking into classroom assignments, even in subjects beyond Art.

For example, in English Reading Diary assignments, rather than simply writing reflections, Thanh chose to illustrate characters and situations through his own drawings, gradually developing his ability to tell stories through visual imagery.

“What I appreciate most about studying at Vinschool is that I was always able to be myself. My teachers not only respected my choices but also consistently encouraged and supported me in pursuing what I truly loved. It was this open environment that gave me the confidence to stay committed to my dream career,” Thanh shared.

In addition, the guidance of teachers and Academic Advisors played an important role in his journey toward a career in animation. Thanh was connected with highly qualified Art teachers to further develop his abilities, given opportunities to participate in artistic activities that strengthened his university application portfolio, and received close guidance on academic planning and suitable career pathways.

While studying Animation in Canada, Thanh  realized that professional animation filmmaking requires much more than artistic talent and creativity. It also demands storytelling ability, teamwork, project management skills, and a deep understanding of audiences. As a result, animation programs equip students with knowledge ranging from scriptwriting and storyboarding to production and performance, enabling them to transform ideas into complete works with meaningful impact.

Facing the academic rigor and constant creative demands of the field, Thanh shared that the adaptability, emotional management skills, and commitment to mental well-being that he developed during his years at Vinschool have helped him maintain balance, sustain inspiration, and persevere in pursuing his passion.

Looking ahead, Thanh hopes to continue developing his career in animation and digital creativity while sharing his experiences to inspire other young people who share the same passion. We wish him continued success as he remains steadfast in his chosen path and creates many more distinctive works throughout his creative journey.

———————

Continuing the annual #Alumni_Corner series, #Alumni_Corner 2025–2026 returns as a platform where Vinschool shares the academic journeys, career pathways, and personal development stories of alumni studying at leading universities in Vietnam and around the world.

From technology and economics to applied research, each Vinser represents the values of scientific thinking, exploration, and lifelong learning—qualities that Vinschool has always considered central to a holistic educational journey.

Follow #Alumni_Corner on Vinschool’s Facebook page and Website Vinschool to discover how our alumni continue to “Reach for Excellence” on their unique paths!

Learn more about our outstanding alumni here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.761103506045166&type=3