Cinematic Tokyo Competition, Best Shorts Award in 2019

Robu

Japan / 19:00 / Sci Fi / 2018

Robu, a 17-year-old American boy is on the four-day quest in Japan to find the second issue of his favorite Japanese comic book that his father left him. Shortly into his adventure, Robu realizes that the manga world was happening in real life, and that the main character was himself.

Award Cremony

Comment

Comment on award winning.

My team loved the SSFF & ASIA this year and it means so much to be recognized for our work. Our program was filled with wonderful films about the city of Tokyo, and it was special to just be part of the program. Winning the Cinematic Tokyo Best Short Award is a true honor. And it will inspire us to keep shooting in Tokyo, a city that we love.

Kenji Green (Producer)

Anything you would like to share about your film?

My Producer Kenji Green and I are both half-Japanese, with Japanese mothers and American fathers. The dual nature of our backgrounds definitely played a role in our choice of story and how we told it. (Our other partner Elyse Preiss is 100% American but loves Japan!).

Governor of Tokyo Award trophy

Any filmmakers or films that have inspired your work?

Wong Kar Wai's “Happy Together” is a true inspiration for me. This was a Hong Kong filmmaker telling a story that really brought Buenos Aires, a city on the other side of the world, to life. It gave me motivation to tell a story in Tokyo.

Director : Kai Hasson

Kai Hasson is a creative director and the co-founder of Portal A film production company in California. His works have been viewed more than a billion times, and he was selected as one of Adweek’s Creative100.

Nominated films in Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2019

• Coin Lunch

  Japan / 17:50 / Drama / 2018

  

  Jeff is a salaryman trying to fit into the hierarchy of the Japanese workplace. But when his wife cuts his daily budget, Jeff's life begins a downward spiral, leaving him to choose what he needs more: his job or his family.

• Where is TOKYO?

  Japan, USA / 14:59 / Drama / 2019

  

  Early in the morning of Christmas Eve 2018, we interviewd Matt, a traveller from LA in Haneda Airport. He came to Japan to look for his girlfriend, who set the meeting spot at "Tokyo".

• Tokyo FM

  China / 24:54 / Drama / 2018

  

  The big city, Tokyo. People living here have their own stories. A guy from Beijing and a girl from Kyoto come across with each other and see the scenery of Tokyo.

• Robu

  Japan / 19:00 / Sci Fi / 2018

  

  Robu, a 17-year-old American boy is on the four-day quest in Japan to find the second issue of his favorite Japanese comic book that his father left him. Shortly into his adventure, Robu realizes that the manga world was happening in real life, and that the main character was himself.

• Lost in Tokyo

  Japan / 03:19 / Experimental / 2018

  

  Lost in Tokyo tries to present the biggest city of the world in a melanchonic but yet positive way. The film reflects the experiences made by the two directors while exploring the city for the first time while at the same time wants to encourage other travelers to come here as well.

• Crystal Frog

  France, Japan / 16:40 / Drama / 2018

  

  Benjamin visits Tokyo to see Miko. At her place, he finds a photo that’s caught his attention. It was taken at the winery 40 years ago. There are Benjamin, his deceased wife, and Miko’s parents in it. Miko starts to tell a story behind it.

• “Tokyo Cine-magic” a special production projectJose’s Tour de Tokyo

  Japan / 15:09 / Fantasy / 2018

  

  “Jose’s Tour de Tokyo” is a story of a young Mexican man, Jose, and his first visit to Tokyo as he works for a social media influencer, Alex. Running around town in an attempt to fulfill his demands, Jose discovers the charms of the city.