What is SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL ＆ ASIA？
Created in Japan, this is one of the largest international short film festivals in Asia. Accredited by the American Academy Awards, it was established to introduce the new video genre of short films to Japan through the efforts of the actor, Tetsuya Bessho who is also a member of the American Screen Actors Guild (SAG). It started in Harajuku, Tokyo in 1999. That first year, six short films were screened which were created by the famous director of Star Wars, George Lucas when he was a student. Since then, he has voiced his support for the film festival every year. In 2001, the name was changed to the Short Short Film Festival (SSFF), and it became an American Academy Awards accredited short film festival in 2004. This accreditation qualifies the film festival's Grand Prix winner for possible nomination the following year in an Academy Awards short film category, and made it possible for young filmmakers from Japan to receive an Oscar. In addition, the Short Short Film Festival Asia (SSFF ASIA; cohosted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government) was created in the same year with the aim of sharing new film culture and cultivating rising filmmakers from Asia. Currently, these two film festivals are held under the title, "SSFF & ASIA." Films screened include those in the Official Competition and programs in various categories such as music, environment, and CG animation.
SSFF ＆ ASIA 2016
Cinema Carnival
～ Explore Your Emotions ～
In four years, we see Japan rising to the ocassion.
SSFF ＆ ASIA vividly expresses the color of each selected film, while as a whole representing a truly diverse selection of the world's best short films.
This year, we bring you an exciting event that reimagines the film festival as a "matsuri," a celebration accompanied by the full vibrancy of a carnival. Join us in transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary through the magical movie-going experience, one filled with tranqulity, passion, and joy.
What is Short Film?
A Short Film can be defined as anything from a film as short as one second, to a longer, more varied length work. For instance, for Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia's Official Competitions, the submission limit is 25 minutes; for the Academy Awards, submissions can be up to 40 minutes; Cannes Film Festival submissions must be within 15 minutes. At Short Shorts, one program runs for approximately 110 minutes, and films varying from 1 second in length to 25 minutes make up a single program. This means that, from a single program, you have the chance to see anywhere between 4 to 15 films. It's up to you to decide whether you'd like to see a program with fewer and longer films, or more films with shorter running times. Come by and enjoy back-to-back screenings of our great programs!
What's an Academy Awards® accredited film festival?
Before the Academy Awards® announce the nominations every February, a large amount of films go through a specific selection process. The Academy does not just offer submissions to anyone and everyone. One of the ways to qualify for nomination is to win an award at an Academy Awards® accredited film festival. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences select nominees from a list of festival winners around the world.
There are approximately 80 Academy Awards® accredited film festivals around the world and Short Shorts Film Festival ＆ Asia is one that is recognized for the short film categories. The grand prix winner has the opportunity to be considered for the short film categories at the Academy Awards® for the following year.
Message from the President of Short Shorts Film Festival ＆ Asia,
Tetsuya Bessho
The season to celebrate the hot exuberance of short film is here once again! Short Shorts Film Festival ＆ Asia 2016!
Short Shorts Film Festival is now 18 years old!
And Short Shorts Film Festival Asia is now 13 years old!
These sister festivals will be hosted alongside each other and held over the same period once again this year.
As we head towards 2020, when Tokyo will host a major international event held only once every 4 years, the sight of people rising up in excitement will come to the foreground. This is also a moment where Japanese film and video culture will shine exceptionally strongly as it extends its reach overseas.
We will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of our film festival in two years time, ahead of this dazzling future. Meanwhile this year we have gathered brilliant offerings from around the globe and are ready to share the abundant and rich crop with our audiences. We will host a hot-blooded festival where the rich flavor of each film will be savored and celebrated – we have called this “Cinema Carnival”.
Themes within genres, languages within nationalities, messages within aesthetics – the variations are infinite. Regardless of your age, gender, hobbies or tastes, there are films that will reach you and stimulate your emotions, irrespective of background.
Taste the fruits of the abundance on offer, be at their mercy, and enjoy allowing your heart to be led.
As the representative of these two festivals, I would like to offer my profound gratitude to all those patrons who have provided help, assistance and support to both events, and to all the volunteers make these festivals possible.
Right, now let’s get this Cinema Carnival started!
President of Short Shorts Film Festival
Director of the Committee for Short Shorts Film Festival Asia
Tetsuya Bessho
