Surf Soup® Buttons – An Asian American Animated Short
A project in Los Angeles, CA by Donna Kay Lau000days
:
00hours
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Funding Successful
Hand-drawn by Emmy-honored Donna Kay Lau, this short film premieres in Hollywood and honors her immigrant family’s legacy.
Backers: 6
Average Pledge Per Backer: $148
Funded: $888 of $888
Dates: Jul 16th -> Aug 15th (30 days)
Project By: Donna Kay Lau
Backers: 6
Average Pledge Per Backer: $148
Funded: $888 of $888
Dates: Jul 16th -> Aug 15th (30 days)
Project By: Donna Kay Lau
$888
current pledge level
Last Updated: August 15 @ 12:14 -0400 GMT
100%
of goal
(loading your very own snazzy kicktraq chart)
Latest News
We did it! Surf Soup® Buttons is officially FUNDED! 🎉 
August 15th - via: kickstarter.com
We did it! Surf Soup® Buttons is officially FUNDED! 🎉 My heart is overflowing with gratitude for every backer, message, and cheer along the way. You’ve helped make this independent dream a reality. The Kickstarter may be over, but the journey... (Read More)
📣 5 MINUTES LEFT!
August 15th - via: kickstarter.com
📣 5 MINUTES LEFT!We’re down to the final moments of my Surf Soup® Buttons Kickstarter! Every last pledge will help bring this Oscar-qualifying short film to more audiences and make our premiere (Sept 8–14) unforgettable. If you’ve been... (Read More)
⏳ 115 Minutes Left — Final Push!
August 15th - via: kickstarter.com
⏳ 115 Minutes Left — Final Push! WOW. We are funded — and it’s all because of YOU! 💛 Every pledge, share, and word of encouragement has brought Surf Soup® Buttons to life. But there’s still 1 hour and 55 minutes left to make an even... (Read More)
Most Proud of my animated short Surf Soup® Buttons —
August 14th - via: kickstarter.com
My Answer: I’m most proud of my animated short Surf Soup® Buttons — because it’s more than just a film, it’s a piece of my family’s history and my own heart on the screen. 🌊 It’s hand-drawn, frame by frame, inspired by my childhood in... (Read More)
🚨 16 Hours Left! 🚨
August 14th - via: kickstarter.com
🚨 16 Hours Left! 🚨We’re in the final countdown for Surf Soup® Buttons on Kickstarter — and I’m so grateful for every single backer who brought us this far. 💛 Your support is making our Oscar-qualifying theatrical run happen this... (Read More)
🚨 26 Hours to Go — It’s Not Over Yet! 🚨
August 14th - via: kickstarter.com
🚨 26 Hours to Go — It’s Not Over Yet! 🚨 I’m beyond grateful — thanks to YOU, Surf Soup® Buttons is funded! 🎉 Your support has made this Oscar-qualifying dream possible, and I’m so thankful to each and every backer. But… we’re... (Read More)
We Did It — THANK YOU! 💛
August 12th - via: kickstarter.com
We Did It — THANK YOU! 💛 I’m thrilled to share that Surf Soup® Buttons is officially FUNDED on Kickstarter!From the bottom of my heart — thank you to everyone who contributed, shared, or simply sent encouragement. Every bit of support made... (Read More)
Only 3 Days Left — This is Just the Beginning! 🎬✨
August 12th - via: kickstarter.com
Only 3 Days Left — This is Just the Beginning! 🎬✨ After my very first Kickstarter, I funded one book… and then went on to create the Surf Soup series — now over 100 books (and counting!) in 6 languages. Then, I launched my Magical Hair... (Read More)
🚨 3 Days Left — We’re at $113!
August 11th - via: kickstarter.com
Friends, I’ve been working non-stop to bring Surf Soup® Buttons to life, and I wanted to share some big updates: 🎬 I just uploaded the film for Oscar consideration — after a careful final edit, trimming 40 seconds off the end for pacing and... (Read More)
🎉 New Surf Soup® Buttons Poster!
August 10th - via: kickstarter.com
🎉 New Surf Soup® Buttons Poster!I’m so excited to share that our official 18x24 Surf Soup® Buttons poster is here! It’s vibrant, bold, and ready to brighten your wall. 🖼 Price: $50 (will be added as an official reward soon!)💌 If... (Read More)
6 Days Left — Film, Books, Birthdays & Big News!
August 9th - via: kickstarter.com
Wow… where do I even start? It’s been a whirlwind! We’re down to just 6 days and only 13% funded — we have to push harder than ever to bring Surf Soup® Buttons to the big screen for its Oscar-qualifying run. Here’s what’s been going on... (Read More)
🎉 8/8 Birthday, New Book Launch & 7 Days Left!
August 8th - via: kickstarter.com
🎉 8/8 Birthday, New Book Launch & 7 Days Left!Today is my Chinese birthday (8/8)—a date full of meaning, celebration, and reflection. And what better way to honor it than with a BIG LAUNCH DAY: 📚 My latest children’s book, Surf Soup®... (Read More)
🥤 Birthday Milkshake Break, Poster Love & 7 Days Left! 🎬
August 7th - via: kickstarter.com
🥤 Birthday Milkshake Break, Poster Love & 7 Days Left! 🎬 Just 7 days left—and we’re at 13% funded. Every bit helps, and your support means so much. 💛 Yesterday, I finally took a birthday break (thank you, Luke!) and had a milkshake... (Read More)
🎉 Poster Reveal, Birthday Milkshake & Chinese Birthday Surprise 🎂📦🎬
August 7th - via: kickstarter.com
🎉 Poster Reveal, Birthday Milkshake & Chinese Birthday Surprise 🎂📦🎬 What a week! So much to celebrate—and some fun surprises too… 🎂 My birthday milkshake tradition lives on! Took a much-needed break with a dear friend today... (Read More)
Kickstarter Update – "Just When I Thought I Was Finished…"
August 7th - via: kickstarter.com
Kickstarter Update – "Just When I Thought I Was Finished…" Just when I thought everything was done, we’ve got a few more surprises to wrap up! 🌀I’m now preparing our final submission for Surf Soup® Buttons, which includes the DCP, a bonus... (Read More)
🎶 Music Cue & Captions Done – Oscar Submission Next! 🎬
August 6th - via: kickstarter.com
🎶 Music Cue & Captions Done – Oscar Submission Next! 🎬 I just finished the music cue and English captions for my animated short film, and I'm preparing to submit everything for Oscar consideration. It’s all happening—and I’m truly... (Read More)
🌟 We're In! Official Access to Submit to the Academy Awards 🎬
August 4th - via: kickstarter.com
Hi friends and amazing Surf Soup® supporters, I’m beyond excited to share this update—I’ve just received official confirmation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 🎉 “Surf Soup® Buttons” is now approved for submission... (Read More)
Kickstarter Update: Exciting News & A Personal Interview
August 4th - via: kickstarter.com
Kickstarter Update: Exciting News & A Personal Interview Hi everyone, I wanted to share some exciting news and give you a deeper look into my journey with Surf Soup® Buttons. Recently, I was featured on the front page of Kickstarter’s... (Read More)
🎉 Oscar Update + Gratitude for Your Support!
August 2nd - via: kickstarter.com
🎉 Oscar Update + Gratitude for Your Support! Hello wonderful backers! Exciting things are happening behind the scenes! I just set up my official Oscars submission account for Surf Soup® Buttons — and it’s feeling very real! 🎬✨ The... (Read More)
Behind the Buttons – A Special Q&A with Donna Kay Lau
August 1st - via: kickstarter.com
Hi everyone, I wanted to share something special with you—an inside look at the heart behind Buttons. I just released a Q&A episode where I talk about the inspiration for the film, how it connects to my Chinese American heritage, and why this... (Read More)
"Pinch me!" moment 💫
July 30th - via: kickstarter.com
SEPTEMBER 8-14 OSCAR-QUALIFYING PREMIERE ✨ Kickstarter Update ✨"Pinch me!" moment 💫I just added the official Oscar-qualifying premiere dates to my movie poster — and it hit me. This is really happening. I also signed up for my very first... (Read More)
🌮 Taco Tuesday Break, Then Back at It!
July 30th - via: kickstarter.com
🌮 Taco Tuesday Break, Then Back at It! I took a much-needed breather for Taco Tuesday and dipped into a lap pool — total refresh success. After that? Right back at it. 💪 I started building a film festival database (!!!), and guess what? I... (Read More)
Half day off! Needed! Practice what I preach! walk my Talk…
July 29th - via: kickstarter.com
Hi everyone, After weeks of nonstop work—finishing my film, launching 11 books, and handling a mountain of approvals and tech—I’m finally taking a half day off from everything. 😴✨ Just a quick moment to breathe, reset, and refuel before... (Read More)
Book launches in the middle of it all and time for tacos!
July 29th - via: kickstarter.com
Hi friends! It’s 10:45 pm and I just pulled a super late night—finishing book approvals, tech work, and prepping launches. I’m officially… done for the day 😅 Tomorrow I’m taking a much-needed break for a few hours (hello, Taco Tuesday... (Read More)
🎉 Poster Reveal + Book Launches! 🎉 Update from the creator of “BUTTONS”
July 26th - via: kickstarter.com
Dear supporters, I'm thrilled to share a first look at the official poster (Watermarked) for my animated short film, BUTTONS (first Reveal)— a deeply personal story stitched together with memory, caregiving, and love. This poster reflects... (Read More)
Update: Overcoming a Tech Glitch & Moving Forward 🚀
July 25th - via: kickstarter.com
Hello Surf Soup friends! I wanted to give you a quick behind-the-scenes update. While preparing one of my picture books for release, I discovered the interior pages were reversed — a frustrating glitch that meant I had to pause and fix the layout... (Read More)
🌊🎬 Afternoon Update: Art, Setbacks & Surf Soup Spirit ⚡🎨
July 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
Hi Surf Soup Friends, It’s 4PM and wow—what a day. Another update! I’m taking you away and into my Surf Soup®️World❤️ After pouring my heart into my Surf Soup movie poster in the quiet early hours, I was feeling energized... then the... (Read More)
🎬 Kickstarter Update: Surf Soup®: Buttons – Poster TEXT Locked + Next Steps!
July 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
Hello Surf Soup® supporters! 🌊🧵 I’ve got exciting news:The official movie poster TEXT for Surf Soup: Buttons is now finalized! 💫 ✨ This whimsical, heartfelt short film—crafted from thread, story, and soul—is now moving full steam... (Read More)
Dreams for Sale…5am Movie Poster -I’m Possible
July 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
This morning at 5am, I started something big. I sat quietly with a cup of coffee, gathered my pencils, and began sketching thumbnails for the Surf Soup: Buttons movie poster—the one that might give this short film its chance to shine. I’ve had... (Read More)
Film ✅ DCP ✅ Next…Movie Poster
July 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
Dear Backers, I’m so happy to share this major milestone with you: the film has been officially prepared and finalized for theatrical presentation. It’s been quite a journey — full of unexpected tech challenges, stubborn file formats, and some... (Read More)
Life of an Artist: 3 Drives, 8 Versions, and One Big Dream 🎬🌊
July 21st - via: kickstarter.com
Hi Surf Soup family, Today was the kind of day that reminds me why “artist” and “athlete” share the same grit. Here’s a window into the real, not‑so‑glamorous side of finishing an animated short: Mystery text on screen? After two days... (Read More)
Still 2% Funded—but 100% All In 💛 Dusk full!
July 20th - via: kickstarter.com
Hi everyone, I wanted to send a real, from-the-heart update today. I’m still at 2% funded, and I’ll be honest—it’s been tough. I’m doing everything I can to keep this project alive: organizing, editing, promoting, animating, and believing.... (Read More)
Koa’s Surfing… and So Am I 🏄♂️💛 Thank You for the First Spark!
July 17th - via: kickstarter.com
Hi Surf Soup Family 🌊 Here’s a quick behind-the-scenes look at Koa surfing—a little moment from the story I’ve poured my heart into for years. He’s catching waves… and in many ways, so am I. Today, I want to say a huge thank you to the... (Read More)
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