Important Announcement:
The Future of the International Animation Festival in Japan - HIROSHIMA

Important Announcement:he Future of International Animation Festival in Japan - HIROSHIMA
We regret to announce that the International Animation Festival in Japan – HIROSHIMA (henceforth “Hiroshima Festival” or “the festival”), which we have held with the city of Hiroshima for 36 years beginning in 1984, came to an end after its 18th edition, which took place in August 2020.  >Next

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→2026.1.19 update
Hiromitsu Murakami and Keiko Shiraishi will appear at the Animation Documentary Screening & Talk “Connected Memories and Records”!
On Saturday, January 24th, Keiko Shiraishi's work will be screened and discussed at the Animation Documentary Screening & Talk “Connecting Memories and Records”. Hiromitsu Murakami will serve as the moderator.

Another form of “documentary” told through animation.
This program presents four animated works created from real events—including stories of families and parent-child relationships, as well as memories of war and natural disasters. Drawing on interviews and personal recollections, these works explore reality through the expressive medium of animation.

Following the screenings, the directors will discuss behind-the-scenes aspects of their creative process and artistic approaches.

Animation Documentary Screening & Talk
“Connected Memories and Records”
Presented by the Japan Animation Association

Speakers:
Nayuko Otaka (Animation Artist)
Hitomi Otakara (also known as KEKE Shiratama) (Filmmaker)
Keiko Shiraishi (Animation Director)

Moderator:
Hiromitsu Murakami (Associate Professor, Department of Information Media, Kanagawa Institute of Technology; Representative Director, Flicker Corp.)

Date & Time:
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 14:00–16:00

Venue:
Mori no Innovation Lab FUJINO (3-minute walk from JR Chūō Line “Fujino” Station)

Admission: Free

Program
1.Mini Lecture:
“About Animation Documentary”

2.Screenings:
“Animemory – The Library of Memories –“ directed by Nayuko Otaka / 2025
“calling you” directed by Hitomi Otakara (KEKE Shiratama) / 2016
“Hide-and-seek” directed by Keiko Shiraishi / 2012
“NHK Letters from Hibakusha ‘My balsam grandpa’” directed by Keiko Shiraishi / 2017

3.Directors’ Talk:
Nayuko Otaka, Hitomi Otakara (KEKE Shiratama), Keiko Shiraishi

4.Q&A

Organized by: Fujino Film Festival Executive Committee
Co-organized by: Mori Lab Film Project
Special Cooperation: Japan Animation Association
Planning & Management: JAA Animation Caravan

Registration & Inquiries: info@morilab-fujino.jp

For more details, please visit the Mori Lab website.