Where is Mama

"Where is Mama?" (Chinese: 小蝌蚪找妈妈), also known as "Little Tadpoles Looking for Mama," is a Chinese ink-wash animation short film produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio in 1960. It is based on the fairy tale of the same name by Fang Huizhen and Sheng Lude. The film narrates the adventures of a group of newly hatched tadpoles as they search for their mother, mistakenly identifying a goldfish, crab, turtle, and catfish before finally finding their frog mother. This film marks China's first ink-wash animation, with artistic guidance by Te Wei and technical direction by Qian Jiajun. It incorporates the style of painter Qi Baishi, showcasing a strong native Chinese aesthetic. With its simple storyline and repetitive script, it is ideal for children beginning their Chinese language studies. The animation vividly presents the habits and characteristics of various animals, and is beloved for its unique artistic style and educational story, having won awards at numerous film festivals, including the Silver Sail Award at the Locarno International Film Festival in 1961 and the Special Jury Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in 1962.