June 4,（Fri）「Short Film Day」
Supporting short films that opens new worlds & through visual images, connects us with the world.
The new – GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AWARD ！
Pedro Almodóvar, Billie Eilish, Travon Free,
Jude & Rafferty Law, Kar-Wai Wong
Announcing the nominations of 5 short films！

The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA), one of Asia‘s biggest international short film festivals, is proud to announce the new Global Spotlight Award on “Short Film Day” which was established on June 4, 2018. On June 4th 1999, our film festival came to life on the streets of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando in Tokyo.

Even under the unprecedented pandemic, filmmakers submitted more than 6000 short films and continued to communicate with the rest of the world through visual images. In this 23rd year of SSFF & ASIA, we found renewed “power of cinema” once again.

Aimed at short films that reveals to us new worlds & through the films, connects us with the world, here are the 5 nominations for the 1st Global Spotlight Award!

【Nomination】

Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Starring Tilda Swinton
“The Human Voice” （Spain）

Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film was first screened at the Venice International Film Festival. Filmed under lockdown, it has been critically acclaimed by critics around the world. Original story taken from Jean Cocteau’s stage play “The Human Voice,” & stars Academy Award®  winning actress Tilda Swinton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3lGM39dKuY

Produced by Billie Eilish
“NOT MY　RESPONSIBILITY”（USA）

Produced by Billie herself for the world tour launched in March 2020, this work includes messages of protest against criticism and bullying on the Internet. Billy released the full short film on SOCIAL media to worldwide acclaim when the tour was suspended due to the coronavirus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlvfYmfefSI

Directed & written by Travon Free
“Two Distant Strangers”　（USA）　

This work was created based on the #BlackLivesMatter movement & executive produced by NBA stars Kevin Durant and Mike Conley and stars rapper Joey Bada$$. The film won the award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards©︎ this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-67K-KwHbA

Directed by Darren Strowger, Starring Jude & Rafferty Law
“THE　HAT” （UK）　

Jude Law and his son Rafferty’s first co-starring film shot completely on a smartphone during the lockdown in the UK last year. Original music by Pete Townsend of The Who.
The premiere was benefit Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbFUA4Z3ouM

Directed by Kar-Wai Wong
“One-Tenth of a Millimeter Apart”（HK）

A documentary short film made to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his own film company, Jet Tone Films. The film was screened at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in April this year and shows behind-the-scenes of the director’s films, including “In the Mood for Love” and “2046.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYRFLKqqcyo

These films were created by artists active in all fields around the world, including the music, film, and visual image industries & shown on various platforms, including online.