Private Project

The Blank Canvas

The Blank Canvas is a hybrid live-action and animated short film about the paralysis of beginning. Unlike Newton, who grabs the apple that hits him, the protagonist indulges herself in a pile of ideas, refusing to start until she finds that perfect one - when all she really needs is a rough start.

  • Ruge Li
    Director
  • Kanghui Gao
    Producer
  • Jack Hinks
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 16, 2025
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh College of Art)
  • Nightpiece Film Festival 2025 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
    Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    August 20, 2025
    UK Premiere
    Official Selection
  • No Reason Short Film Festival 2025
    Bristol
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • FIDEC 2025 (International Film School Festival of Tétouan)
    Tetouan
    Morocco
    November 23, 2025
    North Africa Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Animafantasia 2025 (International Student Animated Film Festival)
    Lasi
    Romania
    November 12, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Animation Marathon 2025

    Greece
    November 21, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Lift-Off Sessions (First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 12)

    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Animation Festival 2025
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Honorable Mention
Director Biography - Ruge Li

Ruge Li is a UK-based mixed-media filmmaker with a playful and colourful style, passionate about blending animation with live action. Her inspiration mostly comes from observations of the easily overlooked aspects of daily life. Through animation, she sees herself as a magician, bringing all the imaginative ideas to life.

Born and raised in Beijing, she recently graduated with a first-class honours degree in Animation from Edinburgh College of Art.

(In the headshot, she holds a KeepCup featuring the design adapted from one of her loop animations.)

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The reason I want to make this film is that, for me, not just creating art, but most major tasks or challenges I face in life, the process of going from 0 to 1 is the most difficult part.

I’m a perfectionist. I overthink. And I’ve suffered so much because of it.

The Blank Canvas is both a reflection of my creative journey and a testament to what a rough start can bring. I hope it resonates with - and consoles - anyone struggling with the same feeling.