Here we are again @ Omotesando Hills!
Award winners Ikki Sawamura & the lovely
Hye-sun Ku.
After a general rundown of the festival, the first treat for those gathered was the introduction of the "bijyomo's," which translates as beautiful models. They will help us staff the festival as information guides at the venues and festival-goers will be able to vote for their favorite on Twitter here in Japan.
2 prizes were awarded @ today's opening ceremonies: The "Wadai-sho" (a sort of "spotlight" award) went to director Hye-sun Ku, a very popular actress in Korea. The "Tokubetsu-sho" (a "special mention" award) went to popular Japanese actor Ikki Sawamura for his directorial debut short "Shoooot!"
The final highlight was introduced by festival president Testuya Bessho. First, was Vice-Minister Fujimoto from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. This year, we are inaugurating the "Let's Travel! Project" to promote tourism in Japan through short films.
Finally our very special guest, Korean superstar actor and the president of the Asiana International Film Festival in Korea, Sung-ki Ahn was brought up on the stage to greet the press. He will take part in the Japan-Korea symposium which will be one of the highlights of the festival this year.
So we had beauties and superstar actors and filmmakers to give us a great start to this year's festival. Stay tuned. I'll be back with the start of the screenings tomorrow. Boy, this is going to be fun!
DJ John
