Supported by
- Zurich Film Foundation
- SRF / SRG SSR
- Bern Film Fund
- Bern Design Foundation
- SWISS FILMS
- Federal Office of Culture
The Taste of Pineapple Bread
A film by Manfei Li, 2D, 10 min 30
Synopsis
《The Taste of Pineapple Bread》 tells the story of a young woman who returns, through a virtual map, to the world of her childhood in order to feel close once more to her late grandfather— a story about the longing for someone who can no longer be reached.
Inspiration
I often catch myself searching in Google Earth for traces of loved ones who have already passed away – that’s where the idea for this film came from. The story is set in Hong Kong, where many of my childhood memories are rooted. Although the streets of my childhood are far away, I try, through film, to find places where shared memories continue to live on. At its heart, the film is about the longing to feel close to someone who can no longer be reached. It is a tribute to people I never properly got to say goodbye to – and to whom I never told how much they meant to me.
My Role & Creative Process
As the director of this film, I took on a wide range of responsibilities across both creative and production stages. I wrote the script, developed the story and visuals, created the storyboard, designed characters and backgrounds, and crafted initial sound concepts. I also recorded voice performances and managed production logistics as the line producer. This project reflects my comprehensive skill set in storytelling, visual development, and hands-on filmmaking—from concept to final execution.
A production of
Asako Film GmbH
In Co-production with
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Design & Film and Art
Swiss Radio and Television / SRG SSR, Gabriela Bloch-Steinmann
FESTIVAL SELECTIONS & SCREENINGS
The Taste of Pineapple Bread has been selected for and screened at international film festivals and animation events across Europe and Asia.
2026
Fantoche – International Animation Film Festival
Swiss Competition
Baden, Switzerland · 1–9 September 2026
Feinaki – Beijing Animation Week 2026
Beijing, China · 13–16 November 2026
Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur
Sparks Junior Programme
Winterthur, Switzerland · 3–8 November 2026
INTERFILM – International Short Film Festival Berlin
Special Programmes: • FOOD – Food for Everyone • AWAY – The Farthest Shores
Berlin, Germany · 10–15 November 2026
SWISS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL with CULMINA
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland · 14–15 November 2026
New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival
Official Selection – Student Competition
Hokkaido, Japan · 20–24 November 2026
Cinanima – International Animated Film Festival
All Aboard International Competition
Espinho, Portugal · 6–22 November 2026
London International Animation Festival (LIAF)
London, United Kingdom · 27 November – 6 December 2026
Animateka – International Animated Film Festival
Student Panorama Programme
Ljubljana, Slovenia · 30 November – 6 December 2026
ANIMARIO – International Festival of Contemporary Animation of Madrid
International Short Film Competition
Madrid, Spain · 10–13 December 2026
Freies Kino – Swiss Animated Short Film Programme
Screened as part of a programme of Swiss short animated films, organised by Phosphor Kultur magazine.
Zofingen, Switzerland · 15 December 2026
2027
Solothurn Film Festival (Solothurner Filmtage)
Panorama Short Film Section Competition – Young Talents
Solothurn, Switzerland · 20–27 January 2027
Black Movie – International Independent Film Festival
Geneva, Switzerland · 22–31 January 2027
Kurzfilmnacht Bern
Kino Cinématte & cineBubenberg
Bern, Switzerland · 14 May 2027
Characters
Behind the scene
Sound recording and sound mixing in Hong Kong and in Lucerne
