SSFF & ASIA 2026 Shortlist for the Global Spotlight Award vol.2 has been announced
The second selection of nominees for the 6th annual SSFF & ASIA Global Spotlight Award has been announced.
This award honors renowned directors, actors, artists, cultural figures, and athletes who, through the medium of short film, have illuminated issues of global significance and social impact. The diverse range of themes recognized to date includes LGBTQ+ equality, Black Lives Matter, environmental issues, and human rights, as well as the creative use of new technologies and platforms such as VFX, NFTs, and AI.
In anticipation of the 2026 festival, the first four shortlisted titles in contention for the award have been revealed today.
The four titles announced for the current shortlist are: “4:44: Time of Fear,” a horror omnibus starring members of the globally acclaimed K-pop group SHINee; “The Non-Actor,” a serene art film showcasing Maya Hawke of “Stranger Things” through a performance that transcends words; “Debut: A KPop Demon Hunters Story,” an animated short capturing the origins of the world-renowned “K-Pop Demon Hunters” universe; and “Carol & Joy,” a touching documentary short executive produced by Natalie Portman that explores the profound bond between acclaimed actress Carol Kane and her mother.
Shortlists will be announced monthly through April, with the final awards to be revealed in June.
〈SSFF & ASIA 2026 Global Spotlight Award Shortlist Vol.2〉
『4:44 Time of Fear』Director： Park Jong Gyun / 44:00 / 2024 / Horror / Korea
A short-form horror set in a limited-spaced apartment which is based on everyday life and materials such as ASMR, deliveries and noise between floors.
『The Non-Actor』 Director： Eliza Callahan / 18:00 / 2025 / Drama / U.S.A.
Elliot is staying with her ex’s new girlfriend while attending a medical trial for her recent, unexplained loss of hearing. As she reconfigures her relationship with her (sonic) environment and herself, an intimate connection sparks between the two women.
(C) Netflix
『Debut: A KPop Demon Hunters Story』 Director： Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang / 2025 / Animation / U.S.A.
The story is set in Seoul, before the global sensation K-pop group “HUNTR/X” made their debut. As the girls endure grueling training and prepare for their high-stakes final evaluation, ancient evil demons suddenly descend upon the human world. In that moment of crisis, they discover that their singing and dancing hide a secret, extraordinary power to seal away the darkness.
『Carol & Joy』 Director： Nathan Silver / 39:00 / 2025 / Documentary / U.S.A
98-year-old Joy Kane, a music teacher and ex-dancer, shares stories and plays piano with her daughter Carol. Their afternoon together reveals artistic lives, family bonds, and their paths across two centuries.。