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

News 

→2023.9.3 update
Based on Hidenobu Fukumoto’s Kamishibai (picture-story show) about the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, a Symposium on Memories and "Negative History" will be held.
Negative History”: How to convey the 3.11 Disasters?
A symposium "Memories and “Negative History”: How to convey the 3.11 Disasters? " will be held as a hybrid event, in relation to Hidenobu Fukumoto’s kamishibai (picture-story show) depicting the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Since the 3.11 disaster, Hidenobu Fukumoto as Teppei Ikumasa has continued to visit Fukushima to create kamishibai and animations of Fukushima's folktales and events caused by the disaster, and has been performing as well as donating those kamishibai works to libraries and schools.
In high recognition of these activities, Stanford University has decided to archive Fukumoto's 3.11 kamishibai works, and the International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, will host a symposium in conjunction with this decision.
On September 23 (Sat), there will be an academic symposium on memory, transmission, and expression (online participation is possible), and on September 24 (Sun), there will be a "Working Study: Fukushima and Kamishibai,” a performance of Kamishibai about the disaster, storytelling by the survivors, while visiting the disaster area at Namie-cho, Fukushima Prefecture. Fukumoto will also be talking about “why he chose kamishibai as a medium to tell the story of the Fukushima disaster." Pre-registration is required for both days.
Please join us at the venue or online.

Memories and “Negative History”: How to convey the 3.11 Disasters?
(Advance registration required, Hybrid)


Date:
Day 1: Saturday, 23th Sep.
 8:30 - 18:00 Symposium and kamishibai show
 (Capacity: 150 people; application deadline: 20th Sep.)
Day 2: Sunday, 24th Sep.
 Working Study Visiting Namie Town and Kamishibai Performance
 (Capacity: 35 people; application deadline: 31st Aug.)

Venue:
Day 1: International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University
 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 980-8572
 Tel : +81-22-752-2099 (Disaster Culture and Archive Studies)
Day 2: Meet in front of the “Anpanman Statue” at Sendai Station East Exit.

Schedule and Pre-registration:
  Free of charge.
  For schedule and pre-registration, the symposium official page.
*We are sorry, but the study tour on the 24th has reached its capacity.
*In-person and online participation in the symposium on the 23rd is still available.

  Flyer (Japanese only)

Organizer: International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University
Co-organizers: Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Cooperation: Machimonogatari Seisaku Iinkai, Namie Town Story Telling Team
→2023.8.22 update
Solo exhibition “The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour” will be held!
The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour
Yoji Kuri's solo exhibition, “The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour" will be held!
This exhibition focuses on the expression of "lines" in artworks by Yoji Kuri, who started his career as a manga artist and continues till today. Those lines drawn by Yoji, reflecting his heart in various ways, will be exhibited, including manga from the 50's, numerous cut works from the 60's, lines that move in animation, and lines that are lively in paintings, etc. Animation works and the latest unreleased works will be shown as well.
We hope to see you there!

Solo Exhibition “The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour"
Venue: art space kimura ASK?
Address: Kimura Building 2F, 3-6-5 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Date: September 6th (Wed) - 16th (Sat), 2023
Hours: 11:30-19:00 / Closed on Sundays / Closes at 17:00 on the last day
TEL: 03-5524-0771
mail asku@oak.ocn.ne.jp
* The artist will be at the gallery on the first day. Other dates will be announced by the gallery’s SNS and Kuri Kobo’s.
* Kuri Kobo staff will be at the gallery every day.
* Along with the exhibition and sales of works, Yoji Kuri goods will also be on sale.

→2023.8.16 update
A huge special screening of Koji Yamamura's films is now being held at the National Film Archive of Japan!
Koji Yamamura Retrospective”
The National Film Archive of Japan is currently holding an intensive special program, "Koji Yamamura Retrospective"!
This retrospective features Koji Yamamura’s entire filmography spanning over 40 years, including his early short films, which are shown to the public for the first time in the world, to his latest work, "Dozens of Norths" (2021). A total of 47 films, divided into six programs in chronological order, are shown all at once.
Please enjoy!

"Koji Yamamura Retrospective"
Dates: August 11st-27th, 2023 *Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only
Venue: National Film Archive of Japan, B1 Theatre (1st basement floor)
3-7-6 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031
Capacity: 151 seats(Assigned seating)
Ticket Purchase Page: https://www.e-tix.jp/nfaj/en/
Contact: National Film Archive of Japan, tel:047-316-2772(Hello Dial)
Organizer: National Film Archive of Japan
Cooperation: Yamamura Animation, Inc.
Program Details (Japanese only)

For more details

→2023.5.22 update
An Exhibition "Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination" will be held!
Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination”
Yoji KURI's solo exhibition, "Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination," will be held in his hometown, Fukui Prefecture!
Many of his original works will be on display, including those that have never been exhibited before. In addition, rare ceramic items designed at that time, original goods, books, and paintings will also be available for sale.
We hope to see you there!

Exhibition "Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination"
Dates: May 24th (Wed) - June 5th (Mon), 2023
Venue: Seibu Fukui, 6F Exhibition Hall
1-8-1 Chuo, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture
Hours: 10:00-19:30 (closing at 17:00 on the last business day)
Please note that the artist will not be in the gallery.

For more details (Japanese only)

→2023.4.13 update
"TAKUPEDIA", a compilation of Taku Furukawa's many years of humorous artworks, will be published!
TAKUPEDIA
On Monday, April 17, 2023, Taku Furukawa’s art book "TAKUPEDIA” will be published!
This book is a culmination of his humorous artworks drawn during these many years, and contains approximately 1,000 single-frame manga as well as black-and-white line illustrations, in no particular chronological order.

And, on the occasion of the unveiling of "TAKUPEDIA" and Furukawa’s latest animated short film "Fiction Shigisan" (2023, 7 min.), Anido Concert: Music on Animation Vol. 17 "Dinosax Million Years!" will be held at Suginami Public Hall. Please enjoy a jazz session by Toshiyuki Honda, who composed the music for "Fiction Shigisan," on saxophone and Fumio Itabashi on piano, and a talk by Taku-san, Toshiyuki Honda, and Rintaro.

Also, from April 24 (Mon.) to 29 (Sat., holiday), "Encyclo Takupedia Exhibition" will be held at the art space kimura ASK? There will also be a screening of "Fiction Shigisan" and a talk show.

Dinosax Million Years!
Date: 17th April, 2023 18:30-21:00
Venue: Suginami Public Hall, Small Hall
Organizer: Anido - contact 03-5761-8924
Admission:3,000 yen at the door, 2,500 yen for advance reservations, all free seating
   Concert Appearance: Toshiyuki Honda, Fumio Itabashi
   Talk: Toshiyuki Honda x Taku Furukawa x Rintaro
For more details (Japanese only)

Encyclo Takupedia exhibition
Date: 24th April - 29th April 29, 2023
Hours: 11:30-19:00 (until 17:00 on the last day)
Venue: art space kimura ASK? (2F)
Talk Show: 24th April, at 18:00 - 19:00, Taku Furukawa x Noriko Yamada x Takashi Namiki. Free of charge (reservation required).
*On the day of the talk show, the exhibition will be open until 17:00. The venue opens at 17:30.
For more details (Japanese only)

→2023.2.6 update
A screening of Yoji KURI's documentary "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda" will be held.
A screening of Yoji KURI's documentary
We are pleased to announce the screening of Yoji KURI's film "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda" at Libririe6/Six Bookstore as follows.
This film is a documentary series in which Yoji KURI, alone and with a camera in hand, has been working on the realities of artists working in Japan, New York, and other locales. This work, digitized 50 years after its release in 1973, will be shown for the first time in Tokyo.
This will be a joint project with the exhibition of the collection of the artists exhibited at LIBRAIRIE6 (in Japan). We hope you will all visit the exhibition together!

104th Project "LIBRAIRIE6 Collection" Exhibition
 + Screening of Yoji Kuri's film "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda

Dates: February 4(Saturday) - 19 (Sunday), 2023
Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 12:00 - 19:00 Sunday/Holidays 12:00 - 18:00
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (closed even if Mon. or Tue. is a national holiday)
 *The gallery will close at 17:00 on the last day of the exhibition.
 *The collection exhibition cannot be viewed during the screening.

Screening event: Yoji KURI's film "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda
Hours: Screening starts at 17:30 every day (16:30 on the last day only)
Admission: 1,000 yen per session
Capacity for each session: 12 people(Reservations required by e-mail or phone 03-6452-3345)
 *Please click here to check the availability of seats.

Venue: Libririe6/Six Bookstore
Address: Minami Bldg. 3F, 1-12-2 Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-6452-3345
Email: info@librairie6.com

For more details here.

→2022.11.23 update
Masashi Koide's retirement exhibition “Education x Research x Boundary - Animation Activities and Surrounding Fields” will be held.
Masashi Koide's retirement exhibition “Education x Research x Boundary - Animation Activities and Surrounding Fields”
To commemorate Masashi Koide’s achievements during his 35 years of tenure at Tokyo Zokei University, a retirement exhibition “Education x Research x Boundary - Animation Activities and Surrounding Fields” will be held. Since 1988, Koide has been involved in design education at Tokyo Zokei University, and is especially well known for his contribution to the establishment of the Animation Major of the Department of Design, Faculty of Design, Tokyo Zokei University in 2003, as one of the first specialized animation education programs in Japanese university. He has been involved in its operation for 20 years since then. Also, Koide has been involved in animation research for many years, and has devoted himself to many social activities as well, including the establishment and management of the “Animation Research Group (the 2nd) of the Japan Society of Image Arts and Sciences” and the “Japan Society for Animation Studies (JSAS)”, as well as the “Inter College Animation Festival (ICAF)”. He has always been conscious of going beyond the realm of animation, crossing and traversing, and bordering on various areas.
During the exhibition period, a number of related events are planned to allow visitors to experience the wide range of Koide's achievements. We hope you will all come out and visit!

Masashi Koide Retirement Exhibition “Education x Research x Boundary - Animation Activities and Surrounding Fields”
Dates: November 28 (Monday) - December 17 (Saturday), 2022
Hours: 10:00 - 16:30 (admission until 16:00)
Closed: Sunday
Venue: Zokei Gallery, Tokyo Zokei University
Admission: Free
Organizer: Tokyo Zokei University Art Museum
Cooperation: Koide Masashi Retirement Exhibition Organizing Committee

For more details
Zokei Gallery, Tokyo Zokei University (Japanese only)
Tokyo Zokei University

→2022.11.2 update
Yoji KURI's “The Present time” Exhibition will be held!
Yoji KURI's solo exhibition “The Present time”
Yoji KURI's solo exhibition “The Present time” will be held!
Along with new works by Yoji KURI, who is now 95, those valuable works from the 1950s to the 1970s that have not been exhibited for a long time will be featured to show the “World of Yoji Kuri” spanning approximately 70 years.

Also, as good news for everyone involved in animation, works using those original cells from “Minna no Uta” in the 1960s will be on display as a collection. Please join!

*Yoji will be in the gallery at 13:00 on the opening day, and further schedule will be posted on the gallery's website/SNS and Yoji KURI's SNS. (Schedule may change.)

102nd Project: Yoji KURI “The Present time” Exhibition
Date: November 5th (Sat) to 20th (Sun), 2022
OPEN:
Wednesday - Saturday 12:00 - 19:00
Sundays/holidays 12:00 - 18:00
CLOSE: Mondays and Tuesdays (Closed even if Monday and Tuesday are national holidays)

Venue: Galerie LIBRAIRIE 6 / Sis Bookstore
South Building 3F, 1-12-2 Ebisu Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-6452-3345
Email: info@librairie6.com
Kuri Jikken Manga Kobo: Responsible / Yoshino

For more details (Japanese only)

→2022.10.27 update
International Animation Day (IAD) 2022 - Coming Soon!
International Animation Day 2022
On October 28th, 1892, a French inventor Emile Reynaud (1844 - 1918) made the first public performance of animation at the Grevin Museum in Paris, using his own invention “Optical Theater.” Since 2002, ASIFA and its National Groups have been celebrating this historical day as “International Animation Day (IAD)” , intending to promote and develop animation art all over the world simultaneously. Every year, about 40 countries participate in this celebration.

“IAD 2022 in Japan” will be held in Kyoto, Atsugi to show inspiring animation shorts from Japan and abroad. Also, as a collaborative project, “Hiroshima International Animation Festival (1985 - 2020) VR Photo Exhibition” will be held. This year’s official IAD poster was created by Michaela Pavlátová (Czech, ASIFA member), and it will be used around the world.

International Animation Day 2022
IAD 2022 in KYOTO
November 22nd, at Kyoto University of the Arts.

“Hiroshima International Animation Festival VR Photo Exhibition”
October 28th, at 9:00am (JST) - November 30th, at 18:00 (JST)
(The exhibition period is subject to change.)

IAD 2022 in ATSUGI
November 14th, at Kanagawa Institute of Technology.

*This year, “IAD 2022 in KYOTO” and “IAD 2022 in ATSUGI” will be held as Universities' special classes. To cope with corona virus infections, these classes will be aimed for their students, faculty members, and related people including ASIFA-JAPAN members only. On the other hand, we are very pleased that the “Hiroshima International Animation Festival VR Photo Exhibition” will be accessible from anywhere around the world via internet, and truly hope that all of you will enjoy!

For more details about the International Animation Day 2022


→2022.9.15 update
Masashi Koide plans and organizes "Who is Tetsuro Hatano? - on the occasion of the third anniversary of his passing” - film shows and discourses
"Salsa and Champuru" directed by Tetsuro Hatano 2007 "Cinema69" first issue editted by Tetsuro Hatano, Syuzo Tejima and Sadao Yamane 1969
Two years have passed since the passing of Tetsuro Hatano, a film/video critic, film/video researcher, as well as an educator who taught at Tokyo Zokei University, Nihon University College of Art, and other faculties, and also, at times wrestled with films as a film director. Thus, a group of alumini of Tokyo Zokei University's Film & Moving Image Major decided to look back on his accomplishments and reexamine "films" that he strived to pursue. 
Masashi Koide is playing a central role in planning and organizing this event.


"Who is Tetsuro Hatano? - on the occasion of the third anniversary of his passing” - film shows and discourses
Date: September 25th, 2022
Time: 11:00 - 17:10 (doors open at 10:45)
Venue:
Kuwasawa Design School, 1st Floor Hall
1-4-17, Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Capacity: 200 seats
Tickets: 2,000 JPN

→2022.7.20 update
Works by Kihachiro Kawamoto, Fumiko Magari, Nozomi Nagasaki, Yuichi Ito will be screened at “STOP MOTION ANIMATION FESTIVAL VOL. 0" !
STOP MOTION ANIMATION FESTIVAL VOL. 0
“STOP MOTION ANIMATION FESTIVAL VOL. 0" that collects more than 120 animations from all over the world is now being held. In addition to those works by our members — Kihachiro Kawamoto, Fumiko Magari, Nozomi Nagasaki, and Yuichi Ito —, a wide range of works beyond language and ages will be screened, including those from major studios, masterpieces, student works, and Japan premieres from Estonia, etc.
"STOP MOTION ANIMATION FESTIVAL VOL. 0"
Period: July 1st - August 18th, 2022
Venue: MORC Asagaya
2-12-19-B1F, Asagayakita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-5327-3725 FAX: 03-5327-0611
Organizer: STOP MOTION ANIMATION FESTIVAL Organizing Committee

program
Yuichi Ito Special "All about Harbor Tale"
July 22nd - August 4th, at 12: 30-
On July 30th, a talk event by Yuichi Ito will be held after the screening!
August 5th and 6th, at 15: 50-

July 30th, at 16: 45- "Kenji Miyazawa Special"
Nozomi Nagasaki's “The Fourth of the Narcissus Month" will be screened!

July 31st, at 15: 50- "Queen of Puppet Animation, Fumiko Magari" Special
A screening of Ms. Magari's works and a talk event will be held!

August 12th and 13th, at 14: 00-
Kihachiro Kawamoto's “The Book of the Dead" will be screened!

For more details (Japanese only)

→2022.4.15 update
Kiyoshi NISHIMOTO's book "Animation - Shapes and movements inspire imagination" was published.
A cup of water - Multiple Observations and Thoughts
Kiyoshi NISHIMOTO's book "Animation - Shapes and movements inspire imagination" was published.
From the principles and history of animation, the birth of photography and film, and the intervention of the computer are presented through the introduction of works. Specific "timing techniques" are explained, and the exploration of perception and the possibilities of animation expression are discussed.
QR codes are included for viewing detailed information.

"Animation - Shapes and movements inspire imagination"
Publishing: Musashino Art University press

For more details (Japanese only)

→2022.3.13 update
Dino Sato's first picture book will be published.
A cup of water - Multiple Observations and Thoughts
Dino Sato's picture book "A cup of water - Multiple Observations and Thoughts" will be published in China! The theme of this book is "thinking about the way of thinking". He draws a "cup of water" using 3DCG in 42 different ways of thinking.

"A cup of water - multi-dimensional observations and thoughts"
Publishing: MoveableType Legacy International Culture Media Co., Ltd. | People's Medical Publishing House

For more details

→2022.3.10 update
Yuichi Ito will be on stage at the webinar - YouTube ’Anime Forest' online seminar: “Harbor Tale” & Successful Cases of the Latest Animation Shorts -
the webinar — YouTube ’Anime Forest' online seminar: “Harbor Tale” & Successful Cases of the Latest Animation Shorts
Yuichi Ito will be on stage at the crowdfunding return webinar for the book "All About Harbor Tale".
Focusing on the secret story behind the production of his independent film "Harbor Tale" screened in 24 countries around the world, and the now popular stop-motion animation, Yuichi will also introduce animation shorts by young filmmakers, and successful cases of animation shorts in the world from both art and business perspectives. Let’s join!

Book "All About Harbor Tale" Crowdfunding Return Webinar
- YouTube ’Anime Forest' online seminar: “Harbor Tale” & Successful Cases of the Latest Animation Shorts -


Date and time: Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 17:00-18:00
Way to participate:
If you wish to attend the seminar, please apply by email.
Please fill in your name, occupation, company name, contact email
address, and phone number and send it to the address below. They will send
you the URL of ZOOM in advance.
enter@st-lw.com "Anime Forest" ZOOM Seminar Section
-The deadline will be closed as soon as the capacity is reached, and the result will be informed by email.

Organizer: Studio Light Works Co., Ltd.
Higashihonmachi Center Building 302, 1-4-3 Tokiwamachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City

I.TOON LTD.

→2022.2.28 update
Call for Peace in Ukraine

ASIFA uploaded two Open Statements on asifa.net, in order to express our thoughts to stand with Ukraine.
If you wish to support these statements, please sign!

(1) "Animators from Russia call for Peace in Ukraine - Don’t kill, don’t destroy. Connect”, an Open Letter by the Forum of Russian Animated Film.

The animation community of Ukraine and Russia have been working together for many years.
As you may know, KROK International Animation Festival has also been co-organized by both countries.
This Open Letter is placed on the facebook page of Forum of Russian Animated Film, as follows, receiving more than 780 signs at the moment. It can be signed by sending your name and title via ‘comment’.


(2) "International Animation Community Stands with Ukraine - Animators Against the Invasion of Ukraine”, a petition by Chris Robinson, the Director of Ottawa Festival.
By clicking ’HERE’, you can jump to the petition site.


Thank you for your support!

→2022.2.13 update
A book contributed by Hiroshi Onishi is published.
RELATIONS ARTISTIQUES ENTRE LA CORÉE ET LE JAPON AUX XXE ET XXIE SIÈCLES(ARTISTIC RELATIONS BETWEEN KOREA AND JAPAN IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES)
Hiroshi Onishi contributed his paper in a book, just published, titled "RELATIONS ARTISTIQUES ENTRE LA CORÉE ET LE JAPON AUX XXE ET XXIE SIÈCLES (Artistic Relations between Korea and Japan in the 20th and 21st Centuries),” co-edited and written by Isabelle Charrier and Hyeon Suk Kim.

By dealing with those artworks made by his Korean students, Hiroshi studies the relationship of mutual cultural exchange between Japan and Korea in his paper, "LA MINIATURISATION AU JAPON ET SON INFLUENCE ‒ SEO SOL, SEO MIRA ET KIM DANBI (The Miniaturization in Japan and its Influence on Foreign Students: Seo Sol, Seo Mira and Kim Danbi)" (French translation by Isabelle Charrier). Please read it!


For more details (in French)