BRANDED SHORTS
About BRANDED SHORTS
As the only international advertising film competition in Japan
We are now in an era where it has become difficult to foster engagement with customers through conventional communication planning alone. Communications between companies and customers have also changed significantly, and now, more and more companies are focusing on video medium as a marketing tool. In particular, videos called branded movies are attracting attention as content that can achieve both “value for consumers (entertainment and usefulness)” and “messages and philosophies from companies and brands.”
In 2016, Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) created its own standard for branded movie as part of our international short film festival, and established an official competition, the “BRANDED SHORTS. As the only international advertising video competition in Japan, we continue to create possibilities for branded movies.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, BRANDED SHORTS will showcase and stream a selection of nominated films chosen based on eight key perspectives from submissions around the world. Among these nominees, the jury will select the “Branded Shorts of the Year.” Additionally, the “HR Best Short Award” will be given to a film that excels in branding aimed at talent recruitment. The “Visual Tourism Award, Japan Tourism Agency Commisioner’s Award” will also be presented as part of the 14th Visual Tourism Award.
On Tuesday, June 3, a special event will be held to commemorate the 10th anniversary. On Wednesday, June 4, the winning films will be announced, followed by a jury talk session where the judges will discuss this year’s trends and explore the potential of BRANDED SHORTS.
Judging Criteria
（Branded Shorts of the Year）
“Branded Shorts of the Year” will be selected from each category by a jury gathered from across boundaries of the advertising, film, and other related industries from the BRANDED SHORTS 2025 international and national category nominated short films. Judging criteris: essentiality, ability to change perceptions, shareability, strength of message, viewership retention, originality, timeliness, and memory retention.
Awards
International Competition
Branded Shorts of the Year
Award given to the best BRANDED short film from outside Japan chosen based on eight criteria: essentiality, ability to change perceptions, shareability, strength of message, viewership retention, originality, timeliness, and memory retention.
National Competition
Branded Shorts of the Year
Award given to the best BRANDED short film from Japan chosen based on eight criteria: essentiality, ability to change perceptions, shareability, strength of message, viewership retention, originality, timeliness, and memory retention.
HR Best Short Award
HR Best Short Award
Award given to the most engaged short film based on the criteria of Purpose, Corporate Appeal, Message, Sustained Viewing, Originality, and Memory Retention chosen from branding perspectives that lead to recruitment.
Visual Tourism Award, Japan Tourism Agency Commisioner’s Award
Among tourism promotional films, movies, and videos produced in all 47 prefectures in Japan, the Visual Tourism Award, (Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner of Tourism Award) will be given to the most creative, promotional, and topical work, based on the perspective of tourism promotion.
Online Grand Theater
BRANDED SHORTS 2025 Events & Ceremony
6.4 [ Wed ]
6.4 [ Wed ] 13:00-17:00
BRANDED SHORTS 2025 Ceremony
25 works from 10 countries and regions around the world will be judged from eight unique perspectives.
Awards to be announced include the Branded Shorts of the Year, selected by the jury; the HR Best Short Award, given to a film that effectively promotes branding for recruitment; and the Visual Tourism Award, Japan Tourism Agency Commisioner’s Award.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of BRANDED SHORTS, a new initiative called “Personal Branding” will also be unveiled. This project recognizes individuals who use video platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to develop and express their own creative visions—delivering information and entertainment to society. The first-ever Branded Shorts Personal Branding Award will be presented to creators chosen for their storytelling, influence, topical relevance, and business potential, aligned with the values of BRANDED SHORTS.
In addition to announcing the award-winning works, the event will feature a jury talk session, where jurors will discuss this year’s trends and explore the future possibilities of branded storytelling.
BRANDED SHORTS Sponsors
BRANDED SHORTS Media Partners
