LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese-centric "Bao" claimed Best Animated Short at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, or the Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The short is written and directed by Chinese-born Canadian director Domee Shi and produced by Pixar Animation Studios.

"Bao" explores the life of a Chinese immigrant mom living in Toronto with her inattentive husband and struggling to cope with loneliness after her beloved son flies the nest. Remarkably, the mom's deep, empty-nester angst turns to joy when a cute, leftover dumpling (a bao) comes alive in true Pinocchio fashion.

Shi is the first woman and first Chinese writer and director of a Pixar short.

"To all the nerdy girls out there who hide behind their sketchbooks, don't be afraid to tell your stories to the world," Shi told the audience.

"Bao" beat off tough competition from "Animal Behaviour," "Late Afternoon," "One Small Step" and "Weekends."

"One Small Step," one of the nominees, was a Chinese-American animated short film. Directed by China-born Disney animator Shaofu Zhang, it tells the story of a young Chinese-American protagonist who dreams of being an astronaut.