Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia has a special section for filmmakers who might be just starting out. It's called the U-25 Project. Established in 2019, the program supports young filmmakers in Japan and accepts short films of less than five minutes, produced by directors under 25 years old.
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia was founded in 1999. It's one of the largest short film festivals in Asia and is an Academy Award qualifying festival. This year's fest takes place June 11-21, and it's screening hundreds of shorts.
Let's check out the lineup from U-25 Project! These young names could be the next big filmmaker in a few years.
The films will be available online starting June 8.
'breath a sigh of relief'Credit: Akari Tada
Tokyo Scenes
Ryan Ondo / 0:02:48 / Japan/Experimental / 2019
This film follows my travels around Tokyo as I search for the modern and traditional aspects of the city.
Aquarium
Tsubaki Takeda / 0:03:10 / Japan/Animation / 2021
It started with the Internet, followed by appearances on the TV and advertisements. It was like an unending movie. Everyday happenings are dominated by "moments" like these.
HAPPY END
Itaru Nomoto / 0:04:33 / Japan/Comedy / 2020
A story that follows the video diary of a man from when he fell out of love until he fell in love again.
Ofuton wo Taberu
Nanami Obara / 0:01:38 / Japan/Videoart / 2020
Whenever you feel lonely, Ofuton is by your side. This video is shot in my house during quarantine.
'Ofuton wo Taberu'Credit: Nanami Obara
breath a sigh of relief
Akari Tada / 0:02:54 / Japan/Animation / 2021
When you're dead tired and walking alone along the street at night. Don't you feel the vending machine on the street emits a warm presence and you feel like getting closer to it? It reveals a moment when humans want to catch a breath and relies on the power of machines.
NOT ALONE
Teppei Sato / 0:04:59 / Japan/Drama / 2021
Gum has never been chewed by anyone before and still maintains his original beautiful shape as he leads a lonely life every day. One day, he encountered someone in the park. What was he thinking during the encounter?
Canaria
Kazuki Yuhara / 0:04:18 / Japan/Animation / 2020
The aged Canaria longs for the Sun and sets off into outer space. Wrapped in fire, Canaria sings a song of revival as he makes a comeback.
WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO BE
Takuro Ijichi / 0:04:14 / China/Sci-Fi / 2020
Noel, who has never left his place of birth to step out into the world, meets Sophie. Noel's encounter with this girl helps him realize what is truly important to him.
'The Love Formula'Credit: Konomi Onozato
indifferent person
Kae Hatsumura / 0:00:59 / Japan/Animation / 2020
Many social issues are occurring around the protagonist. The protagonist is aware but chooses to pretend not knowing…
The Love Formula
Konomi Onozato / 0:04:16 / Japan/Drama / 2021
The boy who has autism falls in love with his classmate, and he tries to convey his feelings in a unique way.
Picnic
Yuki Kusama / 0:03:12 / Japan/Animation / 2021
Beautiful weather is the best for having a picnic outside in the open field. Bunny, the rabbit, came to have a picnic on this invitingly warm and beautiful day. Let's have lunch here. And so Bunny's disastrous day began.
'Picnic'Credit: Yuki Kusama
The Ones Who Walk Away
Lisa Siera / 0:05:00 / Japan/Fantasy / 2020
Awesome
Miyu Shimizu / 0:04:59 / Japan/Animation / 2021
The main character, Mio, loves to draw. Her grandpa always said her works are "awesome." Mio went on to study at an art university but it didn't go well. Just when Mio starts to lose confidence in herself, her grandpa passed away too. At that time, someone appeared before Mio...
If you're a young filmmaker who isn't ready to start making your own projects, there is a KIDS Program as well. These shorts are dialogue-free and come from creators all over the world.
You can watch these films online starting June 8.
