#Japan #Shibuya #Kineko FilmFest #Kineko Awards #Live Cinema

Celebrating the 32nd Kineko International Film Festival

The Kineko Film Association, led by Yoshinori Shiina in Shibuya, Tokyo, held its closing ceremony for the 32nd Kineko International Film Festival on November 4. Running from October 31 to November 4, the festival showcased a multitude of films designed for children's enjoyment across various venues in the Deux Tama River area of Tokyo.

The event's highlight was the announcement of the award-winning films from different categories. Special supporters, Kaho Inohara and Miyaji Katsura, graced the stage, taking on the role of MCs and even participating in a unique “Live Cinema” event, where they provided live Japanese dubbing for international films. After the screenings, the audience erupted into applause, reflecting the joy and enthusiasm generated by this innovative format.

The “Live Cinema” program, specific to the Kineko International Film Festival, allows viewers to enjoy films produced worldwide in various languages while being translated live into Japanese. One of the films featured during this segment was “Angry Man,” directed by Norwegian cut-out animation artist Anita Kiri, which deals with the theme of parental abuse. Inohara remarked, “It had a sense of fear, but it was a fascinating piece,” while Katsura shared, “Even though we love our children, we sometimes feel anger; as a father, it made me reflect deeply.”

During the closing ceremony, various award-winning films were announced, including the Grand Prix winners for the Kineko Children’s Long and Short Film categories, the Teen’s Long and Short Film categories, as well as the Japanese Work Grand Prix and the Grand Prix for the Documentary category. A total of 51 competition films were showcased throughout the festival.

The film selections were made by an international jury comprising members from children’s film festivals worldwide, alongside Kineko jury members, who were children aged 9 to 12 (4th to 6th grade) and teens aged 13 to 18 (from junior high to high school). The diverse jury structure aimed to ensure that the films resonated with the young audience's perspectives.

Among the protagonists of these films were:

• - Kineko Children’s Long Film Grand Prix: “A Normal Child” directed by Miho Ue (Japan) - This 96-minute film follows 10-year-old Yuishi, an ordinary boy in love with an environmentally conscious girl. As they embark on environmental activities with a classmate, their journey takes unexpected turns.

• - Kineko Children’s Short Film Grand Prix: “The Courage of a Hummingbird” by Morgan Duvau (France) - A 10-minute tale capturing the plight of animals fleeing a forest fire, with only a small hummingbird remaining.

• - Teen’s Long Film Grand Prix: “Nawi—To My Future Self” directed by Valentine Chiruge, Appu Mourine, Kevin Schmuetzler, and Toby Schmuetzler (Kenya-Germany) - This 99-minute film follows Nawi, a 13-year-old girl, whose pursuit of education amid the backdrop of illegal child marriage creates a powerful narrative of resilience.

• - Teen’s Short Film Grand Prix: “Ika, Kujira, Tako, Watashi” directed by Kohei Yasuda (Japan) - A compelling 30-minute exploration of friendship and the subtle changes in relationships experienced by four high school friends as they navigate their feelings.

• - Japanese Work Short Film Grand Prix: “Koni Giri-kun, Are We Connected?” directed by Mari Miyazawa (Japan) - This 5-minute short features Koni Giri-kun, a curious rice ball exploring connections that extend beyond immediate surroundings to the cosmos.

• - Documentary Grand Prix: “Girls Don’t Cry” by Sigrid Klausmann and Lina Rujite (Germany) - A 91-minute documentary portraying the lives of girls overcoming challenges such as abuse, poverty, and teen pregnancy in six different countries.

In his remarks, Kaho Inohara reflected on the unique atmosphere of the festival, emphasizing the significance of children's enjoyment in the creative process. He stated, “Although there were last-minute script changes, the spontaneity adds a hand-made charm to Kineko.” Meanwhile, Katsura expressed the emotional impact of witnessing the award ceremony, commenting on the real dedication involved in creating meaningful works.

The Kineko International Film Festival, one of the largest children's film festivals in Asia, was founded in 1992, inspired by the Kinderfilmfest in Berlin, Germany. It stands out by having about 20 child jurors, including teens, who select the Grand Prix from the showcased films. This festival not only provides entertaining films but also promotes awareness of various societal issues through diverse cinematic experiences.

In conclusion, the festival concluded with much enthusiasm, joy, and a commitment to growing and evolving alongside the young voices of today’s cinema. Join us for next year’s celebration, looking ahead toward an even brighter future at the 40th edition of the Kineko International Film Festival!

For more details about the festival and its events, visit the official website at Kineko Official Site.