SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 2009

Whether short or feature length, I screened the films wanting to encounter something that would move and remain in my heart.
Since it's for a Film Festival, I naturally used as a standard for selection those shorts that had strength & power in the visual story-telling.

I encountered shorts that I liked and those that I never would have imagined and surprised me, and also wonderful　dialogue.

In the "Bake Shop Ghost," the elderly baker said, "you have to put your heart into baking a good cake." Films and any sort of creative work should be made with the same concept.

With what kind of commitment in their hearts and souls did these filmmakers make their shorts?

Overall, there were more shorts that used more time to tell the story as opposed to those that were　shorter in length.
To tell a story in a limited amount of time must be a very difficult endeavor.
There were shorts that were difficult to grasp but in any category, it was difficult to determine which were the best.
There were differences in films created in Japan and those from overseas in the way the films depicted or presented　the story. Maybe that's because I'm Japanese that I see it that way.
In everyday life there are many hints for ideas for short films.

When I thought of how all who were involved in making these shorts put their "all" into the creative process, the weight (pressure) of selecting the best among them was very heavy and I still couldn't make a selection after multiple viewings.

There were many heart-warming shorts in the International competition. "The Bake Shop Ghost" was wonderful.

The Asia competition lacked power to a certain degree.
The Japan competition had many shorts that were strong with the message that the filmmaker wanted to tell.

I used my experience and my artistic vision as a base for screening and selecting.
The shorts from the International competition were impressive & of a high quality.
The films from the Japan competition were lacking in quality. "Half Kenneth" took up a little　know historical occurrence and the depiction of that era was well-researched so it was quite impressive.
Among the Asia competition, the Chinese stylized cinematography left an impression but I was not able to pick a #1.

Thank you so much. Domo arigato gozaimas.

It has been my pleasure to participate in this year's International Jury with such esteemed Japanese artists.

I am also very grateful to be exposed to such talented Japanese, Asian and International filmmakers.
As I wrote in my book, How Not To Make A Short Film: Secrets From A Sundance Programmer, I believe short filmmaking is a luxurious and essential art form.
And while it might seem that there are only so many stories to be told, the best short films are able to tell even the old ones utilizing a fresh style, thoughtful casting and economical editing.

I would like to extend my most sincere compliments to the festival programming staff for an incredible selection of films.

I would have been lucky to work with such colleagues when I was at the Sundance Film Festival and hope you all are very proud of Tokyo's short film programming talent.

This is my first time in Japan and after such a wonderful festival I am certain to return in the very near future.

Again, domo arigato gozaimas.