SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 2015

Tow Ubukata - Author

Born in 1977 in Gifu Prefecture. In 1996, he debuted with "The Black Season," for which he won the 1st Sneaker Taisho Gold Prize. Following this, he began omnidirectional writing activities, spanning novels, manga, anime and games. In 2003, "Mardock Scramble" was awarded the 24th Nihon SF Taisho Award. Then, in 2010, he wrote his first historical novel, "Tenchi: The Samurai Astronomer," which won the Honya Taisho award and Naoki Prize, and was later turned into a film. His "Mistukuni-den" was awarded the 3rd Yamada Futaro Award in 2012. In his latest work, "Hana to yume" (KADOKAWA), Sei Shōnagon features as the main protagonist. Since 2013 he has been in charge of the script for the theatrical serial of the anime “Ghost in the Shell: Arise.”

Eiji Okuda - Actor, Film Director

Born in 1950 in Aichi Prefecture. In 1979 he starred as the lead in the film "Motto Shinayakani, Motto Shinayakani" (Dir. Toshiya Fujita). Following this he continued to work in film whilst also starring in dramas and on stage, often cast in one-of-a-kind roles unique to him. He has won a Blue Ribbon Award, Best Actor Award and numerous other accolades. As of 2001 he has been working as a director, and his third film "A Long Walk" was awarded the Grand Prix at the 30th Montreal International Film Festival in addition to the International Critics Award and the Ecumenical Jury Award. He has also attracted attention for his work in various other fields. As an artist he has held solo exhibitions and collaborated on picture books with his wife Kazu Ando. In 2015 he appeared in the films "Akai Tama" (Dir. Banmei Takahashi), "Kono Kuni no Sora" (Dir. Haruhiko Arai) and "Vietnam no Kaze ni Fukarete" (Dir. Kazuki Omori). Next year, "64 –Roku Yon–" (Dir. Takahisa Zeze) and "Sekai kara Neko ga Kieta nara" (Dir. Akira Nagai), in which he also stars, are set for release.

Jun Kaname - Actor

Born February 21, 1981 in Kawaga Prefecture, Japan. He made his debut in 2001 with "Kamen Rider Agito" (TV Asahi), and since then has been appearing in numerous movies, dramas, stage productions and commercials. His best known film appearances include "Casshern," "Udon," "Pyu to Fuku! Jaguar – The Movie," "Goemon," "Kamisama no Karute" and "Time Scoop Hunter – The Movie," and in 2016 "Hoshikago no Umi Tantei Mitarai no Jiken-bo" will be released. His drama appearances include "Good Luck!!” (TBS), "Ryusei no Kizuna" (TBS), "Time Scoop Hunter" (NHK), "Ryomaden" (NHK), "Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi" (Fuji TV), "Sora Tobu Koho-shitsu" (TBS) and "Hana Moyu" (NHK).

Naomi Kawase - Film Director

She is a director who makes films in Nara, Japan, the place where she was born and raised. The basis of much of her work is documentary, and in 1995 she released the films "Embracing" and "Katatsumori." Gathering much attention both at home and abroad, the latter film received the Award for Excellence in the New Asian Currents program at Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. In 1997, she was the youngest person to ever be awarded the Caméra d'Or (best new film) at Cannes Film Festival with her first feature film "Suzaku." Then, in 2007, "The Mourning Forest" won the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival. In 2009 she received the Carrosse d’Or from The Directors’ Fortnight, then, in 2013, became the first Japanese director to serve as a member of the Cannes Film Festival jury. She released the film "Still the Water" last year, and her latest work, "Sweet Red Bean Paste," is set for theatrical release across Japan on May 30. She was bestowed with the prestigious Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France’s culture ministry earlier this year, and currently serves as the Executive Director of Nara International Film Festival.

Jung Woo Sung - Actor/Film Director

Born in 1973. He made his film debut with the 1994 movie "The Fox with Nine Tails," and found fame as talented young actor though his roles in "Beat" (1997) and "City of the Rising Sun" (1998). He has played various characters in a number of films including "Phantom," "The Submarine" (1999), "The Warriors" (2001), "Mutt Boy" (2003), "A Moment to Remember" (2005), "Sad Movie" (2005), "Daisy" (2005), "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" (2008), and "Reign of Assassins" (2010). He recently enjoyed renewed popularity for his charismatic acting in "Cold Eyes" (2013), and took on an action role for "The Divine Move" in 2014. The 2014 melodrama "Scarlet Innocence" marked a shocking departure from his previous image, and he served as a lead actor and producer for "Remember O Goddess" (2014), thereby expanding his film career into directing and producing.

Norika Fujiwara - Actress

Born in Hyogo Prefecture. Active in many fields, she had worked as an actress, voice actress and master of ceremonies, and has been engaged for lengthily periods as a Kyoto National Museum "cultural ambassador" and a Japanese Red Cross Society Public Relations Ambassador. She was recently the recipient of the Nikkei Social Initiative Award for her contributions to society with her NPO "Smile Please – World Children Fund." Her website "Norika body," featuring beauty products for the mind and body, has also proved very popular, with a portion of the sales going to support a projects for children’s education. She will appear in the television drama "aru hi, ahiru basu" that will go on air in July 2015, where she will play the role of a first time bus guide. Furthermore, she will also appear in the Broadway musical masterpiece "South Pacific," featuring dynamic dance and a classic love story that lingers in the heart, scheduled to tour the country from July to August this year.