Programs

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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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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George Lucas Award（Grand Prix）/ Animation Competition Best Short Award

The Bridge

The film’s inspired by events of the year 1920 that’d brought two nations closer: Poland and Japan. The story is told from a 10-year-old boy’s perspective, showing the history of orphans who lost their families and had to rush into manhood to fight for their lives.

Izumi Yoshida / 0:22:30 / Poland / Animation / 2022

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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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Live-action Competition Japan Best Short Award/Governor of Tokyo Award

Seen

A love story based on Ryunosuke Akutagawa's short story "The Nose." Tatsuya, a man afflicted with a nose complex, meets Fumi, a reclusive woman with an eye patch. Both burdened with their emotional scars, the two find themselves drawn to each other.

Shinji Hamasaki / 0:23:37 / Japan / Drama / 2022

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Audience Award（Live-action Competition Asia International）

Nowhere else

His wife, who disappeared after the accident six years ago, lost her memory and now visits Ok-cheon(in korea) with her new husband.

Kyeongwon Lee / 0:24:49 / Korea / Drama / 2021

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Creators' Award

Everywhere

Things that we thought were gone may not truly leave us ? perhaps they are still with us somehow. Life is full of ups and downs. Death is a natural part of life.

Step Cheung, Ng Kai Chung / 0:09:25 / Hong kong / Animation / 2022

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Audience Award (Live-action Competition International)

Sparrow

Sparrow is a middle-aged man who destroyed his relationship with his wife and his 12-year-old son by succumbing to alcoholism. Meeting the film crew and being offered a small part in the movie is Sparrow’s chance to get over the crisis. and get his family back. But will the filmmakers really change his life?

Marcin Janos Krawczyk / 0:24:06 / Poland / Drama / 2022

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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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