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Originally planned for June but delayed due to Covid-19 coronavirus, the Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia has officially been moved to September 16-27. The much-awaited festival will showcase short films at event venues in Omotesando, Shibuya and Futako-Tamagawa, as well as streaming the lineup online for viewers in Japan.
Hosted in Tokyo since 1999, this is the first time the festival will offer online viewing, as well as live-streamed events. The festival will show over 200 short films from 112 countries and regions by both up-and-coming and established directors. Even better, the majority of the films are free to watch and have English subtitles.
Film lovers in Japan can watch the festival online for free here from August 1. Previous winners are currently available to stream, including the 2019 animated Japanese film ‘My Little Goat’ and 2016 South Korean sci-fi film ‘Keep Going’. More films, both previous award winners and this year’s lineup, will continue to be added to the online watch-list. No tickets are required for the online showings and registration is completely free.
If you’d rather head out to a screening, must-sees include ‘Incoherence’, directed by ‘Parasite’ director Bong Joon-ho (showing at Itscom Futako-Tamagawa, September 19, 1.30pm); ‘The Black Ghiandola’ starring Johnny Depp and David Lynch (showing at Itscom Futako-Tamagawa, September 20, 11.20am); and ‘Blue’ by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, director of 2010 Palme d’Or winner ‘Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives’ (showing at Space O Omotesando, September 23, 1.30pm).
The films are divided into themed programmes including the International Programme, Asia International and Japan Programme, CG Animation, Non-Fiction and Branded marketing films. Be sure to check out the Cinematic Tokyo programme, which will showcase Japanese and international films about life in the city, and the U-25 Project, featuring films by Japanese directors under 25 years old.
Some events will also be live-streamed throughout the festival, so keep an eye on the official website for more details.
Screenings are free but you'll have to reserve tickets in advance via the official ticketing page.
While you’re checking the programme, remember to read our guide to going out safely in Tokyo.
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