The 16th China International Cartoon and Animation Festival will be held in Hangzhou from Sept 29 to Oct 4. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

The China International Cartoon and Animation Festival, held annually since its inauguration in 2005, is set to liven up Hangzhou for the National Day holiday from Sept 29 to Oct 4.

This year's event, highlighting cartoon and animation works with rich Chinese cultural elements, will be held at the usual 70,000-square-meter Baima Lake Animation Square, while online activities will be held on the official website.

The exhibition, which focuses on both animation and games, has attracted more than 200 companies in the industry. The Golden Monkey King Awards, considered the highest honor in Chinese animation circles, will be given to one lucky recipient from among 19 countries and regions. Sideline activities will include an animation industrial forum, a cosplay gala, a voice performer competition, and a comic book competition for children.

In light of ongoing epidemic prevention and control efforts, all tickets are being sold electronically, and visitors must book using their real names. A health code and mask are also required when taking part in offline activities.

For more information, please visit the event's official English website, Sina Weibo and WeChat account of the same name.

With the cultural industry blooming in China, the event has attracted 14,400 exhibitors and 17.6 million visitors from over 80 countries and regions over the past 15 years, generating total income of 165.14 billion yuan ($24.23 billion).

Held in Hangzhou every spring since 2005, the event has become an invaluable trademark of not only the city, but also Zhejiang province as a whole. It is the only State-level professional cartoon and animation festival in China.

Visitors attend the 15th China International Cartoon and Animation Festival in Hangzhou in 2019. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]