Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026 Screening in Autumn Unveils Lineup Featuring Oscar® Contenders, Landmark AI Showcase, and Cannes Industry Spotlight
Asia’s premier Academy Award®-qualifying short film festival announces 50+ award-winning titles, groundbreaking Generative AI programs with key partners including CapCut, and global streaming via the Online Grand Theater this November
The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA), one of Asia’s largest international short film festivals and an official qualifying event for the Academy Awards®, today announced the lineup and ticket launch for its Screening in Autumn.
https://shortshorts.org/2026autumn/en
Running from November 5 to 8 at Tokyo venues and streaming worldwide from November 9 to 22 via the Online Grand Theater (LIFE LOG BOX), the festival brings together over 50 best-of-the-year shorts—headlined by Grand Prix (George Lucas Award) winner Speedy! and contenders eligible for next year’s Oscar® nominations across Live Action, Animation, and Non-Fiction categories.
The Award Contenders – Best of the Festival
The Screening in Autumn will showcase over 50 best-of-the-year short films, handpicked by festival programmers across six themed programs. Headlining the lineup is Speedy!, the Grand Prix / George Lucas Award winner from SSFF & ASIA 2026, alongside Official Winners from the Live Action, Animation, and Non-Fiction categories.
These official selections represent the pinnacle of short filmmaking, with several titles eligible for consideration at the upcoming Academy Awards®. From poignant human dramas and romance to music-driven stories and gripping criminal narratives, the program brings together top-tier cinematic works that have earned recognition on the global festival circuit.
Future of Cinema – Generative AI Showcase
Embracing the evolution of storytelling, the festival presents a major feature on Generative AI and short filmmaking through special collaborations with leading tech and creative partners, including CapCut, TYO, and TOPVIEW JAPAN. Highlights include the CapCut AI Film Program, which explores new visual expressions and narrative techniques powered by AI tools. Additionally, the festival will present TOKYO STORIES_season2, featuring new AI-generated short films by 30 emerging creators, offering a fresh, futuristic perspective on Tokyo’s vibrant cultural landscape. Guest speaker Ryuta Miyake (screenwriter for The Complex) will also join a special session hosted by TOPVIEW JAPAN to discuss the intersection of AI innovation and narrative film.
Industry & Global Networking (Cannes & Online Cinema Market)
Bridging creation with distribution, SSFF & ASIA 2026 hosts dedicated industry programs aimed at launching filmmakers onto the international stage.
Cannes SFC Spotlight Seminar: Co-hosted with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, this special talk session focuses on connecting shorts with global markets. Florian Fernandez, Head of Cannes Film Festival’s SFC | Rendez-vous Industry, will join via video interview to share practical insights on leveraging film festivals for career progression. Five Japanese directors will also pitch their award-winning works alongside trailer presentations.
Market Screenings: For the first time, the festival will hold physical market screenings featuring works selected from the Online Cinema Market on LIFE LOG BOX. This initiative offers buyers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts an exclusive first look at undiscovered global talent and innovative visual storytelling.
Special Spotlights – Women-Led Films & Cult Thrillers
Japan Cultural Expo Program:
Under the theme “Japanese Landscapes and Lifestyles Through Flowers, Greenery, Agriculture, and Food,” this special program takes viewers on a cinematic journey across Japan. Highlighting local nature, regional cultures, and sustainable futures, it offers international audiences a unique perspective on traditional Japanese living and aesthetics through the lens of short cinema.
Women-Led Films (In Partnership with Tokyo International Film Festival):
Held in collaboration with the 39th TIFF, this showcase highlights powerful narratives directed and led by women. Key titles include Lili Alone (directed by Jing Zou), an award-winner from the Cannes Critics’ Week that tackles complex social issues, alongside acclaimed works by female directors from Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Puerto Rico, and Japan.
Horror & Thriller Program:
A curated selection of uncanny, mysterious, and chilling tales from around the world. The program delves into mysterious forests, unexplainable horrors, and psychological suspense, reminding audiences of the dark power of imagination.
Festival Details & Online Tickets
Tokyo Screenings: November 5 (Thu) – November 8 (Sun), 2026
Venues:
Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, kino cinéma Shinjuku
Tickets：General Admission: Advance: ¥1,500 / Same-Day: ¥1,800
University Students: Advance: ¥1,200 / Same-Day: ¥1,500
Elementary, Junior High & High School Students:
Advance: ¥1,000 / Same-Day: ¥1,300
Preschool Children (Under 6): Free
Online Grand Theater (Worldwide Streaming at LIFE LOG BOX ): November 9 (Mon) – November 22 (Sun), 2026
Online Streaming Passport (Global Ticket Rates):
Early Bird Access (Sept 29 – Nov 8 JST): US $5
Regular Rate (Nov 9 – Nov 22 JST): US $8
Official Website & Streaming Platform:
Festival Website: Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026 Screening in Autumn
Online Grand Theater: https://app.lifelogbox.com/shortshortsonlinegrandtheate