#Japan #Tokyo #Award Ceremony #Branded Shorts #Visual Expo

Unveiling Visual EXPO 2026 by BRANDED SHORTS

The much-anticipated Visual EXPO by BRANDED SHORTS is set to unfold on September 28 and 29, 2026, at the Akasaka Intercity Conference Center. This event marks a significant evolution, aiming to create a real platform that accelerates brand strategies, talent development, and business matching, all centered around the power of video in shaping the future of business.

Since its inception in 2016, BRANDED SHORTS has been shining a spotlight on corporate branding films. This year’s endeavor not only continues that tradition but expands beyond film festivals, transforming into a platform directly aligned with solving business challenges. The initiative collaborates with the internationally recognized Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia, showcasing the best in branded storytelling and innovative techniques.

Event Highlights

This year's Visual EXPO will feature an impressive showcase of branded films, with a particular focus on the theme of food, alongside talks that explore the cutting edge of branding through AI and tourism. The expo will include free admission for corporate and organizational exhibits, and attendees will enjoy a dedicated lounge space for networking between creators, businesses, and branding professionals.

On the second day, attendees can look forward to the prestigious Branded Shorts of the Year award ceremony, recognizing the best of the best in branded films from various categories, including the Personal Branding Award and the Tourism Video Award, which is presented by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The ceremony will celebrate creativity across several special award categories that highlight innovation in branding.

Key Figures Behind the Event

Joining the expo as Executive Advisors are two notable figures: Takuma Takasaki, Creative Director and novelist, and Kentaro Kimura, Executive Creative Director at Hakuhodo Kettle. Their involvement brings invaluable expertise, having both served as judges for BRANDED SHORTS over the past decade. They emphasize the rapid advancement of technology and its profound impact on video production, stressing the importance of authentic creation in the age of efficiency.

Award Categories and Notable Nominations

This year features several exciting award categories:

• - Branded Shorts of the Year: Evaluated on criteria including originality, message strength, and audience retention.
• - HR Best Short Award: Recognizing videos that effectively convey a company’s philosophy and attract talent.
• - Tourism Video Award by the Minister of Tourism: Celebrating the most creative tourism promotion films created by regional governments and companies.
• - Personal Branding Award: Honoring individuals or accounts that excel in visual storytelling through social media.
• - Special Awards: Recognizing new innovative expressions in branding through video.

Notable nominated works include:

• - Amazon Books: "Bring a Book to Life" by Steve Rogers (UK)
• - Toray: "A Ray of Light" directed by Yamanaka Yu (Japan)
• - radiko: "Back Then and Now" by Isomi Dai (Japan)
• - Doritos: "A Spicy But Not Too Spicy Plumber" directed by Björn Rühmann (USA)

These films will be screened at the expo and will also be accessible online from September 28 to November 30, ensuring global distribution and audience engagement.

Engaging Seminars and Networking Opportunities

The expo will host a series of seminars featuring industry leaders discussing pressing topics, such as:

• - What Does Advertising Need Today?: Insight into techniques that make brands stand out, led by Takuma Takasaki and Keiichi Higuchi.
• - The Role of AI in Transforming Brand Video Content: Panel featuring experts from Pyramid Film Quadrant.
• - Creating Editorial Films: How to turn corporate stories into compelling cinema, presented by Kodansha.

Conclusion

Visual EXPO 2026 promises to be a landmark event, melding creativity and innovation across various industries. With a lineup of esteemed judges, engaging seminars, and recognized films, this expo aims to redefine the landscape of branded content and foster new business and creative collaborations. For more details, visit the official site: Visual EXPO by BRANDED SHORTS.