New York Japan CineFest is available online this weekend, Nov 20th-22nd

New York Japan CineFest, a jewel of a festival that's been around since 2012, is returning this weekend with a program of fourteen short films. This year marks the first time that the festival has been online, a result of the COVID situation (as was the case with 2020's New York Asian Film Festival and Japan Society NY's JAPAN CUTS film festival).

For all the information you need about the films that will be available and how to register to watch them, click here.

New York Japan CineFest 2019 returns to Asia Society on June 5th and 6th

New York Japan CineFest, the annual mini-festival of recent shorts by emerging Japanese and Japanese-American filmmakers, will return to Asia Society NYC for the eighth time next Wednesday, June 5th and Thursday, June 6th. There will be separate programs each day beginning at 6:30 PM. The Day 1 Program on Wednesday will be followed by a reception.

 

Information about the Day 1 Program can be found here; Day 2 Program info is available here.

Asia Society NYC is located at 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street. (Click here for map.)

FIRST SAMURAI IN NEW YORK reviewed; screening Wednesday night at Asia Society NY

YK Well Enterprise

presents

A Forerunner Films Production

In association with Fuzz on the Lens Productions

First Samurai in New York

Written and directed by Justin Ambrosino

Starring Maho Honda, Kyo Kasumi, Mike Houston, and Gabe Fazio

Based on a story by Yuki Arai (also executive producer)

Fight coordinator: Kyo Kasumi (TATE Hato Ryo NY)

USA, 2017, 13 minutes, color

First Samurai in New York is the latest film from Justin Ambrosino. His wonderful The 8th Samurai, a black-and-white 28 minute short, was shown at the 2012 New York Japan CineFest.

First Samurai in New York had its New York premiere screening at the New York International Shorts Festival on Saturday June 2nd. It will also be shown as part of this year's New York Japan CineFest: Program 1 on Wednesday, June 6th.

The movie takes place in 1883, approximately fifteen years after the Meiji Restoration, which restored practical rule to the emperor and led to the end of the shogunate and the samurai class. The location is Staten Island, where the family of a former samurai, and later a firefighter - has completed their long and arduous journey to America.

Izumi Naito (Kyo Kasumi), the mother, leaves for a few days to find a better and permanent place to live in Manhattan. Eldest daughter Chiyo Naito (Maho Honda) is a young woman who is left in charge of her two younger siblings: Ken, a boy and the middle child; and Fuji, the second daughter and youngest child.

When a violent situation concerning a male neighbor arises, the titular character comes to the rescue.

There's a delightful twist on the expectations one might have from the movie's title, and though it becomes evident fairly on, I don't want to say more and spoil this little treat.

Suffice it to say that, as in The 8th Samurai (which he also wrote and directed) Ambrosino demonstrates a deft hand and a marvelous flair for storytelling. An  incredible amount of drama, action and heart are contained in this outstanding short. All of the performances are highly commendable, with Maho Honda's particularly so.

Wednesday night's program of this year's New York Japan CineFest runs from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue, NYC. (Click here for map and directions.) I haven't seen any of the other five films in the program, but past offerings have all been worth seeing.

I highly recommend catching First Samurai in New York tomorrow night, even if you were at Saturday night's New York premiere. It's a terrific film and further evidence of Ambrosino's considerable talents.

AsianCineFest Rating: 4 out of 4 stars; most highly recommended.

[P.S. - New York Japan CineFest 2018: Program 2 will take place at Asia Society on Thursday, June 7th, again from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.]

New York Japan CineFest's program of four short films will be screening in Washington, D.C. on September 24

The Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC)

and

New York Japan CineFest

present 

When: Thursday, September 24th - 6:30pm 

Where: The JICC Auditorium 

1150 18th Street NW

Washington, DC

Highlighting some of the most exciting new voices in cinema, New York Japan CineFest will be coming to the Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC, part of the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of Japan) to present an exciting night of four short films by emerging female Japanese filmmakers.

The films that will be shown are:

Tsuyako
Japan | 2011 | 25 min | Directed by Mitsuyo Miyazaki 
During post-war Japan, Tsuyako lives a demanding life as a mill factory worker, obedient wife, and loving mother. When an old female lover, Yoshie, pays a surprise visit, Tsuyako finds herself entranced by the dream of a different life. 
Watch The Trailer

Little Kyota Errand Hood
Japan | 2014 | 20 min | Directed by Satsuki Okawa 
Three years after the earthquake and tsunami, little boy Kyota meets little girl Shiori. Sharing similar eccentricities, the two quickly become friends and plan to embark on an adventure together. 
Watch The Trailer

Reflection
Japan | 2014 | 23 min | Directed by Hazuki Aikawa 
Tara, a young single mother, struggles to understand and come to terms with her son's gender identity. Reflection tells the story of a mother and her enduring influence on her child's life. It provides an honest look at what it means to be a parent to a LGBTQ+ youth. The screening will be followed by a discussion and Q&A with director Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
Watch The Trailer

Monk By Blood 
Japan | 2013 | 25 min | Directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki 
As a first-born son, 21-year-old Scion Sasaki is destined to take over his family's Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a temple that is 800 years old and has been managed by 23 generations of Scion's family. Born in California, Scion was was brought back to Japan at the age of 9 and raised to understand his ultimate duty. Meanwhile, he juggles multiple worlds as a monk, DJ, and aspiring chef. 
Watch The Trailer

Please note that all films are unrated. Some films may contain mild sexual content.
Viewer discretion is advised.

Registration is not open yet. Sign up to be notified when registration begins!

About the New York Japan CineFest:
New York Japan CineFest was founded by two filmmakers, Yasu Suzuki and Kosuke Furukawa, and a music producer, Hiroshi Kono. Originally planned as rather small one night event, a devastating earthquake occurred in their home country of Japan while the three friends organizing the event in 2011. Since then, their motivation to connect Asian films with films from America and the world, shaking the foundations in a positive way to raise spirits, has only increased.

New York Japan CineFest focuses on the independent filmmakers who have committed to fullly expressing their voice and vision to the world. In its fourth year, New York Japan CineFest will be presented in multiple cities after the New York premiere, which took place in June 2015, through April 2016; Washington D.C., Boston, Houston and more.

For more information about the festival, visit the New York Japan CineFest website.

BANANA TRIP premiere's on YouTube

In anticipation of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, KQED's Film School Shorts is offering its latest short film YouTube premiere, Banana Trip.  The 2013 Florida State University film, directed by Hyungjik Lee, is about a trio of boys hitting the beach looking for girls. It's charming and sweet. Check it out.

2014 New York Japan CineFest program of six short films reviewed

New York Japan CineFest 2014

When: Thursday, June 12, 2014 @ 6:30pm

Where: Asia Society,725 Park Ave, NYC

Co-presented by Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

The third New York Japan CineFest will take place on June 12th and consist of six short films. I've had the opportunity to watch the films, almost all of them award winners. Here are some brief thoughts on them.

Minka
Directed by Davin Pardo
2011, 15 minutes
A touching documentary about a Japanese farmhouse that was relocated to become the home of John Roderick, an Associated Press photographer, and the narrator, a younger Japanese whom he adopted as his son.

Abita
Directed by Shoko Hara and Paul Brenner
2012, 4 minutes
A lovely animation about a young girl, her watercolors and her dreams. Also about the impact of the Fukushima disaster.

Junk Head 1
Directed by Takahide Hori
2013, 30 minutes
Another animation, but one that uses puppetry and computer graphics. It's set many years in the future when a human is sent on an ecological study deep into the subterranean underground where clones, originally built to maintain them human workforce, live. Incredibly imaginative and marvelously executed.

The Misadventures of Incredible Dr. Wonderfoot

Directed by Grier Dill and Brett Glass

2013, 12 minutes

A very funny science fiction time travel tale about an elderly podiatrist and the havoc he has wrought.

Lil Tokyo Reporter

Directed by Jeffrey Gee Chin

2012, 30 minutes

A poignant drama sent in Los Angeles in the 1930s and centered on Sei Fuji (Chris Tashima), a forthright community leader and publisher of The Japanese California Daily News. In both looks and demeanor, Tashima's performance comes across much like a Japanese version of Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Little Kyota Neon Hood
Directed by Satsuki Okawa
2012, 20 minutes
Poor ten-year-old Kyota wears a bright green padded hood because of a phobia. He lives with his single mother and  can't understand why Tim, his English teacher, who has been away for a year, would return to disaster-prone Japan.

Films such as these, like documentaries, are often given "short shrift" (pun intended) by movie goers. But each of these films is well worth seeing, and together they make an outstanding program. Just how highly I think of them is the fact that, while I've already seen them all, I'm still planning to attend Thursday night's program at Asia Society. I hope to see you there.

Complete information about the roughly 111 minute long total program can be found here.

ACF 1497: TOGETHER: DANCING WITH SPINNER DOLPHINS

'Together: Dancing with Spinner Dolphins.' (Dolphin Dance Project)

 Dancing with Spinner Dolphins

Conceived and directed by Chisa Hidaka
Performed by Chisa Hidaka
and wild Pacific Spinning Dolphins

USA, 2010, 3+ minutes

Japan CineFest: Short Film Program

When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM

Where: Asia Society and Museum

725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC

Map here

Director Hidaka swims with numerous wild Pacific Spinner Dolphins in this short that is part nature film, part dance/performance piece, and part documentary. Although she uses separate flippers on each foot, she kicks both her legs simultaneously. This, combined with the butterfly stroke-like undulation of her body (but with her arms merely trailing at her sides), produces movement through the water that closely emulates how dolphins swim. Hidaka performs twists, turns, spirals, and loops, effectively becoming one with her co-performers.

Though it's running time is the shortest of the seven films being shown in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, it's impact is immense. Given Japan's ongoing hunting of whales (allegedly for "scientific purposes") and having seen Louie Psihos's documentary expose´ of horrendous aquatic animal abuse by some Japanese in The Cove (2009), Together . . . has somewhat restored my hope that a sensible and humane attitude towards the ocean's mammals will eventually prevail in Japan.

Director Chisa Hidaka

 Winner:

- Best Experimental Film, Big Apple Film Festival
- Best Short Film Animal Advocacy, Artivist Film Festival

To watch the trailer for Together: Dancing with Spinner Dolphins, as well as those of the other six short films in Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, click here.

Click here for information about Together: Dancing with Spinner Dolphins and the other films in the program,  which is a co-presentation of Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

ACF 1495: THE 8TH SAMURAI

The 8th Samurai
Directed by Justin Ambrosino
USA, 2009, 28 minutes
Japanese with English subtitles
Japan CineFest: Short Film Program

When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM

Where: Asia Society and Museum

725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC

Map here

From the poster art shown above, which came with the DVD screener I received, and from the title of this short, I expected a documentary about Akira Kurosawa that would informally regard him as The 8th Samurai. Such turned out not to be the case. While it is an homage to Kurosawa and to Seven Samurai, one of his greatest masterpieces, Ambrosino's film tells the little known (because it's fictitious) tale of Nanshu (Eijiro Ozaki) who was originally slated to be the 8th samurai. He was certain that this would be the big break his career sorely needed.

Eijiro Ozaki as Nanshu the 8th samurai

Unfortunately for him, The Director (Toshi Toda) had a dream that convinced him that there should be only seven samurai. Who will be cut from among the lead roles and how will this be determined? Will Nanshu be able to fulfill his promise to his mother's ghost that he will gain fame and recognition as an actor, or will a lesser fate befall him?

This is my sixth review of films showing in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, and I've seen and will soon review the seventh film, Together: Dancing with Spinner Dolphins. While I've very much enjoyed all of the films, some certainly more than others, The 8th Samurai is far and away my favorite. Partially this is due to the subject matter, as I'm a huge fan of Kurosawa and of Seven Samurai. Also I love the conceit of one of world cinema's greatest films becoming what we know it as because of a  dream the director had. Finally, I'm flabbergasted by how much Toda is made to resemble Kurosawa (see image below). The clothing, glasses and hat are perfect, although the look may actually be that of Kurosawa in years later than when Seven Samurai was being shot.

 Toshi Toda as The Director of the film within the film

While I haven't generally been assigning star ratings to the short films in this program, I must in this case. The 8th Samurai gets an ACF Rating of 4 out of 4 stars; excellent, outstanding, superlative, and most highly recommended.

The 8th Samurai  toured with the Akira Kurosawa 100th Anniversary Tour. It has received the following awards:

- Best of Fest Award, LA Shorts Festival
- Golden Kahuna Award, Honolulu International Film Festival
- Best Director, Best Cinematography, Staten Island Film Festival
- Audience Award, Big Muddy Film Festival
- Best Student Film Best Director Award, Best Actor Award, Show Off Your Shorts Festival

Click here for information about The 8th Samurai and the other films in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, a co-presentation of Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

ACF 1493: CORAZON EN FUEGO - animated short coming to Asia Society

Corazon en Fuego / Heart on Fire
Written, animated, and sound design by Yoriko Murakami
USA/Japan, 2005, 8 minutes 
English (a few words)
Japan CineFest: Short Film Program

When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM

Where: Asia Society and Museum

725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC

Map here

A young woman lives alone in an isolated house on a hill. There she pines for a lost love, becoming increasingly angry and depressed. Finally she reaches the point where something drastic must be done. Then an unexpected intrusion changes her life.

Director Murakami at work on Corazon en Fuego

Corazon en Fuego is an utterly delightful animated short that was made by Murakami as a project for the Division of Animation and Digital Arts, Shool of Cinema-Television, University of Southern California.

Click here for information about Corazon en Fuego and the other films in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, a co-presentation of Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

ACF 1491: INTO THE NEW WORLD

Into the New World
Directed by Haruhito Naka
USA, 2011, 25 minutes
Japanese with English Subtitles
Japan CineFest: Short Film Program

When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM

Where: Asia Society and Museum

725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC

Map here

It's 2011, ten years after the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York were destroyed, with massive loss of innocent life. A long haired Asian youth stands on the edge of a roof-top, then falls forward.

 

Only this didn't really happen. It's a dream that Mariko (Yukiko Yamamoto), who is in Japan, has about her boyfriend Tetsuji (Tet Wada). He is an artist living in New York.

 

Concerned that he's succumbing to an "I wanna die" mania, she flies to New York, then takes a subway to the Upper East Side where Tetsuji lives. (Mariko has a sheet of paper with his address on it. Savvy New Yorkers will quickly recognize that there's no "846 93rd Street" in Manhattan, and that there's no 12001 ZIP code. Also, she gets off at the 110th Street and Lexington stop of the subway, whereas if she was actually going to East 93rd Street she'd get off at the 96th Street stop, even allowing for her being an out-of-towner. And it's worth noting for narrative purposes that Tetsuji's apartment number is 911.)

Tetsuji (Tet Wada), left, and Mariko (Yukiko Yamamoto)

After her exit from the subway, her journey becomes quite strange, even somewhat hallucinatory. She finds Tetsuji playing a video game with a figure he identifies as God. The odd thing is that the TV is not on, making their game-play somewhat problematic. Oh, and God just happens to be wearing a full head-piece African mask and a serape.

Into the New World is another fine short in this terrific program coming to Asia Society on Friday. Strange and unsettling in ways, it's ultimately an affirmation of the resilience of the life force around us. And, not to diminish the film itself in any way, I must comment that I found the design of the end titles, something that rarely is given any consideration beyond providing credit information, to be absolutely lovely and delightful.

Click here for information about Into the New World and the other films in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, a co-presentation of Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

ACF 1489: FROG IN THE WELL

 Frog in the Well
Written, directed, produced and starring Ken Ochiai
USA/Japan, 2010, 15 minutes
Japan CineFest: Short Film Program

When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM

Where: Asia Society and Museum

725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC

Map here

Another short in this coming Friday's program at Asia Society, Frog in the Well is about the travels of a young man who serves as the film's narrator. At the behest of his late mother, he leaves his apartment in Tokyo. His first destination is Wakkanai, in Hokkaido Prefecture. Japan's northernmost city, Wakkanai is where his mother was born and raised.

The young man continues his mission southward, eventually arriving on Okinawa, the southernmost part of Japan. Along the way he runs into a woman he knew in high school and sees the variety of sights and experiences that Japan has to offer. Finally he arrives back in Tokyo, a man transformed by his travels, which turn out to have been not merely the fulfilling of the last wishes of a loved one, but something much more.

The film, comprised overwhelmingly of still images (rather reminiscent of Chris Marker's 1962 short film La Jetée), is dedicated to Miwa Ochai. She most certainly was the director's mother given that the film was inspired by actual events.

Frog in the Well has deservedly received many awards, including:

- Minister's Award, Audience Award, Short Shorts Film Festival
- Best Editing Award, Sapporo International Short Film Festival

    - Note that the film was edited by Nodoka Kato
- Best Short Film, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
- Crystal Heart Award, Heartland Film Festival
- Special Jury Prize, Miami Short Film Festival
- Honorable Mention, Los Angeles International Film Festival

Click here for information about Frog in the Well and the other films in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, a co-presentation of Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

ACF 1487: UGUISU in short film program at Asia Society NY

Uguisu

Directed by Kosuke Furukawa

USA, 2009, 22 minutes

Japan CineFest: Short Film Program
When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM
Where: Asia Society and Museum
725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC
Map here

Alex (Kelsey Seipser) is a harried waitress in a Brooklyn diner. Her boss is always on her case, even when there's a lull in the customer traffic.

Dennis (left) and Alex

One day Dennis (Trevor Nelson), a young man comes in, sits down at a booth by himself and orders a beer. He's an artist who has started achieving some success and recognition. He draws a lovely Uguisu, a Japanese songbird, on a page of his sketchbook. Alex, who's an aspiring artist herself, compliments David on the drawing.

Sato (Seiji Kakizaki), an older Japanese man, sits at the booth next to David's, their backs to one another. He indicates that he approves of the drawing, but mentions that "something is missing." This infuriates Dennis, who has already evidenced being distraught in some conversations he's been having on his cell phone.

Sato (left) and David discuss the merits of his sketch

Each man gives Alex a gift before they leave: David, his drawing; Sato, a netsuke (at least I'm pretty sure it's a netsuke). But can her encounters with this two dissimilar men truly have any effect on her. Can they free her from the confined, black-and-white life she leads working in the diner?

Uguisu won the awards for Best Short Film and Best Cinematography at the International Film Festival Manhattan.

Click here for information about Uguisu and the other films in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, a co-presentation of Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

ACF 1485: RADIUS SQUARED TIMES HEART in short film program at Asia Society NY next Friday

Radius Squared Times Heart

Written, directed and edited by Yasu Suzuki

USA, 2009, 34 minutes

Japan CineFest: Short Film Program
When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM
Where: Asia Society and Museum
725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC
Map here

This delightful comedy centers on Ken, a Japan-born scientist who has lived in New York for many years. When we first meet him, as a teen, he's on a NY rooftop with his friend Tim, who lusts for a well-endowed young lady. Ken calculates the formula that will determine the volume of her ample breasts. He's a socially-inept geek who would fit right in on The Big Bang Theory TV show.

As an adult, Ken (Yasu Suzuki) discusses with his friend (Brian Nishii) the upcoming dinner he's going to prepare for Michelle (Alie Carey), an anthropologist who has the clean, healthy look of an American Liv Ullmann in her youth. Ken's friend offers a sympathetic ear and some intriguing advice.

A desert prepared by Ken

We watch as Ken prepares various dishes, all of which look utterly delectable. After a rooftop conversation, the couple return to his apartment to dine. Will the shy, socially-awkward Ken "get lucky" or will his ineptitude turn the would-be romantic evening into a tragedy?

This sensual, touching, and very sweet film is a total joy. No surprise that it was selected as the Best Comedic Short Film at the Manhattan Film Festival.

Just be sure to pay attention throughout the credits. There's a short, spot-on coda that perfectly wraps up this most enjoyable short film.

P.S. - How can you not love a film that lists a "Math Supervisor" (Kevin Yamada) in its end credits?

Click here for information about Radius Squared Times Heart and the other films in the Japan CineFest: Short Film Program, a co-presentation of Asia Society and Mar Creation, Inc.

ACF 1483: Japan CineFest: Short Film Program coming to Asia Society NY

Together: Dancing with Spinner Dolphins

 Japan CineFest: Short Film Program

When: Friday, June 8, 2012, 6:30 PM

Where: Asia Society and Museum

725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC

Map here

Next Friday, Asia Society NY and Mar Creation, Inc. will present a program of seven Japanese short films. Highlighting some of the most exciting new voices in cinema, these seven award-winning shorts, including live action and animation, offer rich insight into the imagination and creative impulse of seven U.S.-based filmmakers. The evening includes a humorous fictional story behind the making of Akira Kurosawa's classic Seven Samurai, an underwater dance uniting a human and dolphins, tender tales of Japanese living in the United States, a stop-motion animation, and more.

Filmmakers will be present.

Reception to follow, sponsored by Asahi Beer.

Program trailer here.

And look for reviews here at AsianCineFest over the next week.

Tickets: $7 members; $9 students/seniors; $11 nonmembers. Purchase online at tickets.asiasociety.org or call 212-517-ASIA (2742) for more information.

Film Selections:

 

Radius Squared Times Heart

Dir. Yasu Suzuki. 2009. 34 min.

Love is in the air when Ken, a Japanese scientist, invites Michelle, an American anthropologist, home for dinner after a Tango lesson. Shy in demeanor, Ken impresses with his culinary prowess. Will he be able to win the lady’s heart?

- Best Comedic Short Film, Manhattan Film Festival

Uguisu

Dir. Kosuke Furukawa. 2009. 22 min.

A Brooklyn diner waitress comes across two mysterious customers: a distressed young artist who struggles with a drawing of a Uguisu, a Japanese songbird, and an enigmatic Japanese old man who seems to hold the key to the secrets of the universe.

- Best Short Film, Best Cinematography, International Film Festival Manhattan

Frog in the Well

Dir. Ken Ochiai. 2010. 15 min.

On a mission to scatter his mother's ashes, Joe leaves Tokyo and embarks on a journey across Japan. The meditative and transformative experience allows him to discover the beauty of everyday life.

- Minister's Award, Audience Award, Short Shorts Film Festival

- Best Editing Award, Sapporo International Short Film Festival

- Best Short Film, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

- Crystal Heart Award, Heartland Film Festival

- Special Jury Prize, Miami Short Film Festival

- Honorable Mention, Los Angeles International Film Festival

 

Into The New World

Dir. Haruhito Naka. 2011. 25 min.

Mariko travels all the way from Japan to New York to look for her missing boyfriend, who had last told her that he's living with God. When Mariko finally comes face to face with God, who is disguised in an African mask, she enters an unexpectedly hallucinatory world.

Corazon en Fuego / Heart on Fire

Corazon en Fuego / Heart on Fire

Dir. Yoriko Murakami. 2005. 8 min. Stop-motion animation.

A lonely woman who lives in a country home on her own mournfully remembers her lost love. Suddenly, she is visited by an unexpected guest who will change her life forever.

- Jury Special Mention Award, Short Shorts Asia

 

The 8th Samurai

Dir. Justin Ambrosino. 2009. 28 min.

Can you imagine if Akira Kurosawa's classic Seven Samurai was intended to be Eight Samurai? In this wildly humorous film, a struggling actor plays all the tricks at his disposal to be the 8th samurai. Will he succeed? Watch to find out. This film toured with the Akira Kurosawa 100th Anniversary Tour.

- Best of Fest Award, LA Shorts Festival

- Golden Kahuna Award, Honolulu International Film Festival

- Best Director, Best Cinematography, Staten Island Film Festival

- Audience Award, Big Muddy Film Festival

- Best Student Film Best Director Award, Best Actor Award, Show Off Your Shorts Festival

 

Together: Dancing with Spinner Dolphins

Dir. Chisa Hidaka. 2010. 3 min.

In the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, a human dancer and wild Spinner dolphins forge a tender relationship through the language of dance.

- Best Experimental Film, Big Apple Film Festival

- Best Short Film Animal Advocacy, Artivist Film Festival

General support for film programs at the Asia Society is provided in part by the New York State Council on the Arts.

ACF 532: Focus on Thailand at upcoming Hamburg International Short Film Festival

In accordance with an email from the 26th Hamburg International Short Film Festival dated Monday, May 24, 2010, this original post is being deleted. The information in that original entry was not intended for release at the time that the original post went online on 04/09/10. New information about the festival will be provided in a new post in late May or early June, 2010. Sorry for any confusion that this situration caused.