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Short Shorts Film Festival Asia 2025: A Celebration of Film

The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2025, recognized by the Academy Awards®, is one of the largest and most esteemed international short film festivals, originating in Japan. As it approaches its festival dates from April to June 2025, excitement is mounting as the official jury members for the competition have been announced. This year's festival promises to present a remarkable tapestry of storytelling through its diverse film selections.

Meet the Jury Members

The festival has curated an exceptional panel of judges, representing a blend of industry veterans across various fields including actors, producers, and cultural figures.

• - Live Action Competition, International Category, Non-Fiction Competition: The jury will include Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo, a noted actor and producer, alongside actress Juri Ueno and producer Miyuki Fukuma. These judges will review an impressive 29 nominated films drawn from 1,980 submissions spanning 91 countries and regions.

• - Live Action Competition, Asia International Category: Renowned filmmaker Shunji Iwai will preside over this segment, joined by Sandrine Faucher Cassidy, the Senior Director of Festival, Distribution, and Talent Development at USC, and actor Satoshi Jimbo. This jury will evaluate 21 films selected from a massive pool of 738 submissions across 21 nations.

• - Japan Category: Focused on the national competition, the jury will screen 21 nominated films from 218 submissions. Their expertise will further highlight the richness of Japanese storytelling and cinema.

• - Animation Competition: Featuring talents such as Tao Okamoto, a multifaceted figure in acting and modeling, Ryohei Odai, a popular TV personality, and Tomoyuki Sugiyama, who is the President of Digital Hollywood University. This category will showcase the creativity of 25 animated shorts selected from 417 submissions worldwide.

This diverse judging panel underscores the festival's commitment to elevating voices from various backgrounds, ensuring a broad representation of perspectives in the cinematic arts.

Festival Schedule and Highlights

The SSFF & ASIA 2025 will hold its events across Japan, with the online Grand Theater accessible from April 24 until June 30. A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for May 28, marking the official launch of the festival. Followed by various screenings at distinguished venues including Takanawa Gateway City and Omotesando Hills. The climax of this cinematic experience will be the awards ceremony on June 11, where winners from different categories, including the prestigious George Lucas Award (Grand Prix), will be announced.

Attendees can expect an immersive experience as they witness cutting-edge narratives and innovative filmmaking that highlight cultural conversations and artistic talents from around the globe.

Looking Ahead

As the festival draws near, the anticipation continues to build for both filmmakers and audiences eager to celebrate the art of short films. Each film presented at SSFF & ASIA 2025 carries a unique story and perspective, contributing to the global dialogue in cinema.

This year's festival promises to be a vibrant showcase of creativity, making it a must-attend event for film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

Mark your calendars for this exciting cultural event—where the world of short filmmaking will come to life in an unforgettable manner.