Programs

Global Spotlight Award

TRAP by SEO IN GUK

Art is often an expression of rigorous focus. This story revolves around the internal pressures of the protagonist, and his attempt to escape his own mind and let out his imagination.
An artist lives in a world they create, but sometimes fear can break us down.

Seo In Guk / 0:12:58 / Korea / Experimental / 2022

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NEXUS

• Special Screening

Year 2048, human’s life has been changed due to developed AI and advanced information society.
Live human communication became extremely rare and everyone has their desired looked avatar in a meta verse world.
Noah has been isolated himself at his home for 3 years spending most of his time in NEXUS.
One day when he was exploring in NEXUS as usual, he has been locked in the virtual world and asked help to AI Sarah. But Sarah did not reply.
A human who seeks exist from reality and fit in the virtual world, while AI Sarah wishes to escape from it and become a human. This is a story of Noah and Sarah in a near future settings and a meta verse.

Kim Hyunsoo / 0:13:45 / Korea / /

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Most Viewed Award

STRANGE

One evening a shy suburban Tokyo high school student, Odeko, meets a tearful Kuma dressed in drag in a park.?
As their earnest friendship develops, Kuma's struggle to live confidently with himself changes Odeko's timidity as well.?

Ken Ochiai / 0:15:00 / Japan / Drama / 2023

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Produced by Naomi Kawase, a short film created from the Nara International Film Festival “NARAtive Jr.” project!

Permanence

• Special Screening

“Come here, Yuki” Will the world where I hear my father’s voice change me? Yuki who lives in the mountains of Nara, seeks the figure of his father who disappeared into daily routine only to find herself sink deeply in flow of time. Nothingness wrap her up and will not let her escape. With whom will I live this life? With whom will I reel the light in?

KISA MURAMATSU / 0:35:54 / Japan / Drama / 2023

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HOPPY HAPPY AWARD

Perfect Strangers

Uta's life takes a sudden turn when her father reveals that her mother is alive. Determined to find her, she heads to Shinjuku only to be rejected. At a loss, Uta wanders the streets, meets a girl, and learns about her mother's secret through this encounter.

Daisuke Kamijyo / 0:25:00 / Japan / Drama / 2022

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Live-action Competition Asia International Best Short Award/Governor of Tokyo Award

Giddh (The Scavenger)

An old man is compelled to choose an unlikely means of earning a morsel, his hunger is fulfilled but soon his guilt catches up to create a dilemma.

Manish Saini / 0:24:28 / India / Drama / 2022

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Shibuya Diversity Award

Margot’s Sister

Margot, a pre-teen who struggles to find acceptance at school is challenged by the arrival of her intellectually disabled sister in the after-school program. Margot initially struggles to keep her worlds separated but an event soon leads her to re-evaluate her position.

Christine Doyon / 0:17:00 / Canada / Drama / 2022

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A short film directed by Ryutaro Nakagawa, from "My (K)Night", officially invited to the TIFF Gala Selection!

Leave Behind

• Special Screening

Momoe is a web designer, Ryusei is a chef, both live in Machida. When Momoe has to move out of the town because of her job, she started to remember her memory with this town. The last days in the town, what will we leave and for what will we live.

Ryutaro Nakagawa / 0:21:00 / Japan / Drama /

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Best Actor Award (Live-action Competition Japan)

Sweet

Miwa, a second grader, follows various rules, striving to be a "perfect child," as expected by her mother, Mizuho. On the other hand, her piano teacher, Yuko, encourages her to express herself freely. Miwa's heart is torn between the two.

Shoji Yasui / 0:24:04 / Japan / Drama / 2023

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Best Actor Award (Live-action Competition International)

OFF SIDE

Camille, a single mother and home helper, tries as best she can to raise her son Théo, who has severe language problems. Obliged to replace a colleague, she is forced to take care of Monsieur Conti, a silent old man.

Sophie Martin / 0:21:37 / France / Drama / 2022

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