Feature Pre-Production Memo - May 2026

Building on the momentum from previous production programs, Asians in Animation has blasted off with its most ambitious project yet — an epic sci-fi rom-com feature.

Logline

Two soulmates set out from opposite ends of the galaxy, determined to reach each other, even if the journey takes a lifetime.


Initial Development 
Development on the feature began during Asians in Animation’s 2025 Development Lab, spearheaded by Program Executive Producer Saira Umar and Program Producer Alice Jiang. 

Alongside the CG Short, 2D Short and TV cohorts, the Feature cohort developed a feature concept and created a production-ready pitch package from October through December.

How it Started
In October 2025, Director Peri Segel and writer Allen Wu presented the concept of an interstellar romance that follows two lovers who travel through the vastness of time and space in order to reach each other at the star of love, Orihime. The film is a sweeping, life-spanning story that follows its lead characters from their younger years into old age.

In developing this long-distance romance, Peri drew from her marriage to her high school sweetheart:

“My now-husband and I met in high school, and much of our early relationship was long-distance,” says Peri. “We went to different colleges, began our careers in different cities, and still grew together through it all. Despite the distance, I’ve never felt closer to another person – and I wanted to bring that emotional truth to this story.”

Inspired by poignant romances like Past Lives and Your Name, Peri and Allen also drew from grand space stories like Interstellar to weave an ambitious exploration of love and growing up throughout the cosmos. Through the perspective of its lead characters, Feature 2026 aims to ask whether it’s brave, or naive, to chase after grand, long-shot dreams. Passionate and ambitious creatives themselves, Peri and Allen understand deeply what it means to chase after bold dreams that feel like a long-shot.

Art
The art team quickly dove into the visual development process, exploring and refining designs for the project’s lead characters across ages.

Art by Lucy Feng

In mid-December, the team completed an expansive 62-page pitch deck containing 65 pieces of art, encompassing not only characters, locations, and props, but also beat boards and style frames.

Next Steps
In December, Asians in Animation officially greenlit the project to proceed to the Feature Pre-Production Program stage, aiming to expand the developmental materials into a 20-minute proof-of-concept animatic.

After a short holiday break, the team reassembled for the next leg of feature’s epic voyage. 

In total, this next stage of the program received over 160 applications for the story, design, production, music, casting and edit teams. Over the course of 2 months, we assembled and onboarded a full crew and cast of 60 heading into the pre-production phase.

Stay tuned to hear more about what we’ve been up to!