Cinematic Tokyo Competition was established in 2017. This competition category takes submissions from all over the world for short films showcasing the various charms of Tokyo. Productions do not have to be filmed in Tokyo, but must include themes that make one think of Tokyo, be centered on memories of Tokyo or imagine the essence of Tokyo.
5 nominated films selected from the 197 submissions from 44 countries and regions around the world.
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2025
Nominated films in Cinematic Tokyo Competition
-
A Pine Cone And a Beef Bowl
Miko Nakano / 0:14:15 / Japan / Non-Fiction / 2024
Sachiko Nakamura, 92, is a shoeshine lady who works near Shinbashi station in Tokyo. Having her polish your shoes is rumored to bring good luck to your work and business, and she is nicknamed "the God of Business." It depicts the daily life of "God" still active in modern-day Shinbashi.
-
VR Boyfriend
Rodolfo Ogura / 0:09:19 / Japan / Sci-Fi / 2024
The girl who has a relationship in a virtual reality game and can't live in the real world.
-
BariKari knitted scarf in midsummer
Narihiko Kohno / 0:02:17 / Japan / Animation / 2024
Bari and Kari are a Bacouple(super lovey-dovey couple). One midsummer day, Bari wears a hand-knitted scarf that Kari gave him, and gets caught up in a non-stop comedy about everyday life.
-
Karita
Virginia de Witt & Koji Ueda / 0:17:18 / Japan / Comedy / 2023
Trying to decide between being good or being bad, an American in Tokyo finds herself torn between a friend and a crush.
-
GAIJIN
Michele Motzo / 0:18:30 / Japan / Experimental / 2025
"GAIJIN" by Michele Motzo is a short film featuring seven brief stories in Tokyo. A fragmented, surreal, philosophical narration guides the short film, jumping from one story to another. All the while, a giant head fluctuates in the night sky, wondering about human beings.