Archive 2017

 

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Opening Ceremony

This year’s official lineup was introduced at the Opening Ceremony, with a selection of awards and projects also announced. Jury members and numerous celebrities participating in various projects were in attendance at this impressive start to the festival.

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Competitions Program

International Competition

For the International Competition this year, we received 5385 submissions from 22 countries and regions outside of Asia, and screened 40 selected short films. Out of this record breaking number of submissions, the selected shorts, even though short in length, were able to surprise and move audiences.

Asia International Program

For the Asia International Competition this year, we received 1220 submissions from 14 Asian countries and regions excluding Japan and screened 21 selected short films. These shorts highlight the distinct cultures and customs found in Asia, as well as illuminate the unique colors and images of these exotic countries. In recent years, the short films from Asia have explored common worldwide themes such as love & romance which are included as part of a very strong and entertaining line-up.

Japan Program

From Japan, we had selected 16 short films from 333 submissions. The programs had a wide range of genres and styles to enjoy from dramas and comedies to documentaries.

Save the Earth! Program supported by RINREI

The theme of this competition includes all aspects of the environment and the Earth we live on. This year, we welcomed RINREI, a company that creates an ideal living environment, as a new sponsor. We screened 8 submissions out of 641 submissions from 85 countries.

CG Animation Program

The latest CG animation shorts created by leading CG animators were gathered. 19 films out of 585 submissions from 64 countries were screened.

Cinematic Tokyo Program

For this newly established competition, we received short film submissions from all over the world which express the diverse attractions of Tokyo. The criteria for this competition is not limited to being filmed on location in Tokyo, but includes those that contain themes which evoke “Tokyo”, memories of “Tokyo”, or even imaginations of “Tokyo”. We screened 9 nominated films, selected from 244 submissions from 54 countries and regions around the world.

Music Short Program

Established in 2009, the Music Shorts Competition introduces original short films that have been inspired by the music of established artists. We screened 6 selected films.

Music Video Program

Started in 2016, the Music Video Competition introduces official music videos created for artists from Japan and around the world. We gathered a selection of the most cinematic and innovative works that deliver dramatic narratives, told from a short film perspective. It was a jam-packed lineup that showcased a variety of high quality works. We screened 16 selected films.

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SPECIAL Program

Academy Program

As an Academy Award® accredited short film festival, we proudly introduced the Academy Awards® Program. SSFF & ASIA 2016 Grand Prix winner "Sing", recipient of the Best Live Action Short this year, and was screened along with three other Oscar® nominated short films.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/academy.php

Cannes Program

A special selection from Cannes Film festival 2016; one of the most significant festivals in the world. Below is a message from film director Naomi Kawase. Of the many short films shown at Cannes Film Festival last year, every one of them was very creative. The audiences were touched by deeply heartfelt stories, told within very short periods. Out of those amazing films, a selection will be shown, so now you can see some of the Cannes films right here in Japan! (Naomi Kawase, President of both the Cinefondation section and the Short Film Jury for Cannes Film Festival 2016.)
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/cannes.php

French Film Festival 2017 - Short Film Selection

The French Film Festival (6/22~6/25), once again running at nearly the same time as SSFF & ASIA, proudly presented a selection of short films. The highlight being the screening of a Unifrance original short featuring Catherine Deneuve and three other French actresses for its Japan Premiere. The rest of the lineup included some more recent shorts from very talented filmmakers.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/france.php

Special Program from Cannes

Of the many short films shown at Cannes Film Festival last year, every one of them was very creative. The audiences were touched by deeply heart-felt stories, told within very short periods. Out of those amazing films, a selection will be shown, so now you can see some of the Cannes films right here in Japan! (Naomi Kawase, President of both the Cinefondation section and the Short Film Jury for Cannes Film Festival 2016.)
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/cannes.php

KIDS Program

A program that featured short films suitable for children 6 years and under Focusing on non-dialogue works, this is a program that drew in both adults and children in.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/kids.php

Fashion Shorts Program

In recent years, fashion companies have produced short films as a tool to promote their brand. Since 2014, SSFF & ASIA has paid attention to these unique collaborations between fashion brands and "short film", and screened a special program focusing on fashion shorts.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/fashion.php

Shibuya Diversity Program

Shibuya City collaborated with SSFF & ASIA and presented the Shibuya Diversity Award to a short film which promotes diversity and inclusion to spread the basic concept of Shibuya. In this program we screened all nominated films, as well as the awarded film.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/diversity.php

War and the Power to Live Program supported by Red Cross

As globalism accelerates towards a borderless world, events occurring in other areas may affect us here in Japan too. This program introduced the lives and conflicted circumstances of various people and helped us to think about the “Power to Live”.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/wp-1.php

cinema TEC! Program

A special program focusing on this year's theme "cinema TEC" – techniques and technologies used in cinema. From an animated Martin Scorsese talking about framing and his movie making roots to the latest short films using VFX and GoPro, the audiences could find a "cinema TEC" world in this program.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/tec.php

Focus on Denmark

A special short film program celebrating the 150th anniversary of Japan-Denmark diplomatic relations. "The Perfect Human" was remade in 2003 by Jørgen Leth himself and Lars von Trier who directed "Dancer in the Dark" and "Dogville".
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/denmark.php

Edinburgh Short Film Festival Program

A selection of short films from the Edinburgh Short Film Fesitival in Scotland. This program screened a wide variety of English, Irish and Scottish short films including an animated film narrated by Irish actor, Liam Cunningham.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/edinburgh.php

Kaohsiung Film Festival Program from Taiwan

In our 7th collaboration with Kaohsiung Film Festival(KFF), held annually in Taiwan’s second largest city, we delivered an attractive array of short films showcasing Taiwan’s new wave.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/taiwan.php

"New Ways of Seeing" Screening of “New Ways of Seeing”

“New Ways of Seeing,” produced by Tiffany & Co. Ltd., was screened in International Programs 1 -5, as well as in between each program at Omotesando Hills Space O.

Andaz Tokyo PROGRAM Personal Program / Love Romance Program

Celebrating the 3rd anniversary of Andaz Toyko, SSFF & ASIA collaborated with the hotel once again to present a selection of short films only to be screened at this venue. In correlation with the Andaz brand philosophy of “personal style” and the "indigenous" concept, we crafted two programs. One addressed “Personality” and featured unique films gathered from around the world, and the other had the theme “Love Romance,” which depicted the chemical reaction of life between different personalities. We also had the Andaz Salon social event, which featured the screening of short films and a talk session.

http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/personal.php
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/love.php

Asiana International Short Film Festival (AISFF) Program from Korea

We presented a special selection of shorts from Asiana International Short Film Festival, one of the largest festivals of its kind in South Korea. With leading Korean actor Sung-Ki Ahn serving as Festival Director, they will celebrates their 15th edition this year.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/korea.php

Cinema Fighters Program

The new project consisted of 6 short films inspired by music and moving images. It was produced in collaboration with 6 talented filmmakers, including award-winning director Naomi Kawase, and featured music by Masato Odake who has written hit songs for many top Japanese artists. These 6 short films were shown at a special premiere event and program.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/fighters.php

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Events Seminar

Short Film Seminar: What is "Cinematic"? What is "Cinematec"?

Ben Thompson, the shortfilm programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival, which is one of the biggest festivals in the world, led a seminar on the festival's criteria for selecting short films as well as what makes a film “cinematic.” In addition he talked on the advance of filming through the use of VR & drone technology & how it will change or affect filmmaking in the future.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/seminar.php

Screening and Award Presentation of ‘Kawagoe City Short Film Award'

SSFF & ASIA supported the "Kawagoe City Short Film Award"(Prize:600,000yen), a competition organized by Kawagoe City focusing on movies filmed in Kawagoe City, by hosting its award ceremony and screening nominated films.Jurors; Masachika Ichimura and Tetsuya Bessho made appearance.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/kawagoe.php

Screening and Award Presentation of‘Ibaraki Short Film Award’

SSFF & ASIA supported the “Ibaraki Short Film Award,”(Prize:1,000,000yen) contest organized by Ibaraki Prefecture by announcing the award winner and screening nominated films.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/ibaraki.php

Hulu presents Tonko House's Journey in 2017

“The Dam Keeper” received the 2015 Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Short Film. From the creators of the short film comes a new short series, “Pig - The Dam Keeper Poems”, which will be premiered on Hulu (Japan) this summer. Members of the animation studio Tonko House appeared as guests to talk about their past works and future plans.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/hulu.php

Screening and Award Presentation of‘FutureCity Yokohama Award’nominated films

In order to raise awareness about the future of Yokohama”, the City of Yokohama and SSFF & ASIA present the “FutureCity Yokohama Award” to the short film that best depicts an environmentally friendly lifestyle for the future, making use of technological advancements. We screened a short film titled “A Grain of Wheat,” co-produced by the City of Yokohama and SSFF & ASIA.
http://www.shortshorts.org/2017/en/program/yokohama.php

CINEMA FIGHTERS World Premiere

The new project consisted of 6 short films inspired by music and moving images. It was produced in collaboration with 6 talented filmmakers, including award-winning director Naomi Kawase, and featured music by Masato Odake who has written hit songs for many top Japanese artists. These 6 short films were shown at a special premiere event and program.

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Award Ceremony

Invited guests attended the Award Ceremony on June 11th, which was held at Meiji Jingu. Jurors of the various competitions gathered here to announce the best short films that were chosen from each of the competitions, and the Grand Prix was chosen from among the winners of the main competitions. The Grand Prix winning short film is eligible for nomination at next year’s Academy Awards®

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Award

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Jurors

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