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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→2026.6.10 update
Renzo Kinoshita & Sayoko Kinoshita's "Peace Trilogy" to be Screened in Okinawa!
Peace Trilogy Screening

On June 21 (Sun), the "Peace Trilogy" ("Pica-don", "The Last Air Raid - Kumagaya", and "Ryukyu Okoku - Made in Okinawa") by Renzo Kinoshita and Sayoko Kinoshita will be screened at "Kaiensha's Little Film Series 2026 – June" (Venue: Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, Naha City).
The trilogy will be shown following the screening of the documentary film "Fuji Gakutotai (Fuji Student Corps)" (Director: Gakuya Nomura, Production: Kaiensha, 2012, 48 min.).
Please take this opportunity to watch these powerful works!

Screening of Renzo Kinoshita & Sayoko Kinoshita's "Peace Trilogy" at "Kaiensha's Little Film Series 2026 – June"
- "PICA DON" (1978, 9 min. 25 sec.)
- "THE LAST AIR RAID - KUMAGAYA" (1993, 28 min. 51 sec.)
- "RYUKYU OKOKU – MADE IN OKINAWA" (2004, 17 min. 43 sec.)

Date & Time: June 21 (Sun), 2026
       Reception: 13:15 / Doors open: 13:30 / Screening starts: 14:00–
Venue: Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, Auditorium (3F)
    3-1-1 Omoromachi, Naha, Okinawa 900-0006
    Tel: 098-941-8200 (Main Number)
Admission: Advanced Booking: 1,200 yen / Door: 1,500 yen
         Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: 600 yen
Booking: Tel: 098-850-8485 (Kaiensha)
      E-mail: mail@kaiensha.jp
      Click here for the Booking Form
Organizer / Inquiry:
      Kaiensha (TEL: 098-850-8485 / E-mail: mail@kaiensha.jp)

For more details, please visit the official website.
→2026.6.7 update
"What is Komadori? Exhibition - The Secrets of Stop Motion Animation" planned and supervised by Yuichi Ito is now being held!
Currently, the exhibition "What is Komadori? Exhibition - The Secrets of Stop Motion Animation" (May 2 - September 27), planned and supervised by Yuichi Ito, is being held at the SKIP CITY Visual Plaza Audio Visual Museum!
The "Actual Puppets and Sets by Artists" exhibit features works by ASIFA members such as Kihachiro Kawamoto, Fumiko Magari, and Takeshi Yashiro, as well as many other talented artists ranging from legends to contemporary creators. In addition, there is a Japanese stop-motion history chronology, a 3D zoetrope, a reproduction of a shooting set, and a permanent stop-motion hands-on experience corner. With such rich content enjoyable for everyone from families to creators, we hear it is already attracting many repeat visitors.
Please take this opportunity to fully enjoy the charm of stop-motion animation!

"What is Komadori? Exhibition - The Secrets of Stop Motion Animation"
In recent years, the friendly term "Komadori" has taken root in Japan, but its formal name is "stop-motion animation." From the dawn of cinema to the present day, it has continued to provide us with surprise and excitement.
While viewing the history, behind-the-scenes production, and actual works of stop-motion animation, we will get to the core of its value and appeal.

Date & Time: May 2 (Sat) – September 27 (Sun), 2026
     9:30 - 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday)
Venue: SKIP CITY Visual Plaza Audio Visual Museum
     3-12-63 Kamiaoki, Kawaguchi, Saitama
Admission: Adults 520 yen, Junior High/Elementary School Students 260 yen, Preschoolers Free (Audio Visual Museum admission fee)

Organizer: Saitama Prefecture
Supported by: Saitama Prefectural Board of Education, Kawaguchi City, Kawaguchi City Board of Education
Cooperation: I.TOON Ltd., Echo Co., Ltd., Kawamoto Productions Co., Ltd., Kyouhai Co., Ltd., Takashi Shimoi, TASKO inc., Hiroyuki Tsuchida, TMC, TECARAT, Dentsu Live Inc., Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Film and New Media Department of Animation, Tokyo Zokei University, Trigger Device Ltd., TORUKU from WIT STUDIO, dwarf studios, Japan Animation Association, Taruto Fuyama, Susumu Hosokawa, Magari Juku, Tadahito Mochinaga Animation Research Group, WOWOW Plus Inc., Arisa Wakami, Toshikatsu Wada, and others (titles omitted)
Planning & Supervision: Yuichi Ito
Planning & Production: Digital SKIP Station, Inc.
Inquiry: TEL: 048-265-2500 (SKIP CITY Visual Plaza Audio Visual Museum)

For more details, please visit the official website.
→2026.5.26 update
Two exhibitions planned and produced by Setsuko Shibata are currently being held!
Setsuko Shibata (I.D.F. Inc.) has planned and produced two exhibitions that are currently being held.

The first is the "Josef Lada - Father of Czech Illustration" exhibition, currently being held at the Itami City Museum (until June 7).
This is the first large-scale retrospective exhibition in Japan of Josef Lada (1887-1957), who was hailed as the "national painter of the Czech Republic." The exhibition also features Lada's comic works and screens a portion of the animated film "The Devil and Kacha" (1955), which is based on his picture book.

The second is the "Edward Gorey's Mysterious Messages", currently being held at Museum "Eki" KYOTO (until June 21).
This is an exhibition of Edward Gorey (1925-2000), a picture book author with enthusiastic fans worldwide for his mysterious worldview and precise monotone line drawings. Among Gorey's works, the most well-known in the United States is the opening animation for the TV program "Mystery!". We hope animation professionals will also take the opportunity to see it.

Please invite your friends and family and visit the exhibitions!


"Josef Lada - Father of Czech Illustration"
This exhibition introduces Josef Lada's work through over 200 materials, mainly from his family's collection. It features familiar children's books in Japan such as "The Adventures of Mikeš - The Adventures of the Talking Cat" and "Cunning Godmother Fox", original illustrations for his masterpiece "The Good Soldier Švejk," paintings depicting his hometown landscapes and Christmas scenes, and his satirical drawings, which can be considered the origin of his art.
Date & Time: April 10 (Fri) – June 7 (Sun), 2026
       10:00 - 18:00 (Last admission at 17:30)
Closed: Mondays (Open on May 4, Closed on May 7)
Venue: Itami City Museum Exhibition Rooms 2, 3, 5
     2-5-20 Miyanomae, Itami, Hyogo
Admission: General 1,100 yen, University and High school students: 800 yen,
       Junior high and Elementary school students: 500 yen
Organizer: Itami City Museum [Itami Museum Joint Venture / Itami City]
Supported by: Embassy of the Czech Republic, Czech Centre Tokyo
Cooperation: JosefLada.cz s.r.o., Havlíčkův Brod Gallery
Planning & Production: I.D.F. Inc.
Inquiry: TEL: 072-772-5959 (Itami City Museum Main Number)

For more details, please visit the Itami City Museum website.


"Edward Gorey's Mysterious Messages"
In Japan, his picture books such as "The Doubtful Guest" and "The Hapless Child" have been introduced one after another. In addition to his primary books, where he handled both text and illustrations, Gorey demonstrated his versatile talents by designing illustrations, book covers, stage sets, and posters for theater and ballet. This exhibition deciphers the secret messages hidden in his works through original drawings for his primary and unpublished picture books, as well as posters and publications.
Date & Time: May 15 (Fri) – June 21 (Sun), 2026
       (Open every day during the exhibition period)
       10:00 - 19:30 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Venue: Museum "Eki" KYOTO
     7F, JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto Station Building
Admission: General 1,200 yen, University and High school students: 1,000 yen,
       Junior high and Elementary school students: 500 yen
Organizer: Museum "Eki" KYOTO, Kyoto Shimbun
Special Cooperation: The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust,
           The Edward Gorey House (Cape Cod)
Cooperation: Kawade Shobo Shinsha Publishers inc.
Planning & Production: I.D.F. Inc.
Inquiry: TEL 075-352-1111 (JR Kyoto Isetan Main Number)

For more details, please visit the Museum "Eki" KYOTO website.

→2026.4.24 update
Call for Entries: VIDEO PARTY 12 - organized by Yasuto Yura
VIDEO PARTY 12
VIDEO PARTY 12, a video screening event organized by Yasuto Yura since 2013, is now accepting submissions. The exhibition will take place from July 31 to August 2, 2026, at FRAME in VOX, Kyoto.

VIDEO PARTY is open to the public and accepts originally created video works of up to 15 minutes in length. Basically, submissions are not subject to a selection or judging process. Works of any genre — such as drama, animation, or video art — are welcome. Since its launch, the event has shown 829 works and facilitated cultural exchange through screenings held in cities including Kyoto, Sapporo, Iwate, Tokyo, Macau, Taipei, Taichung, Shenzhen, Seoul, Busan, Richmond, and Berlin.

Opportunities to present independently created videos remain limited. VIDEO PARTY aims to provide a space where such works with various possibilities for expression can be showcased and shared.

For more details, please visit the official website.
We warmly welcome your participation, whether as a creator or as an audience member.

"Submission Guidelines for VIDEO PARTY 12"
Entry Registration: Pre-registration is required. Please complete the entry form.
Eligibility: Open to all individuals regardless of nationality, occupation, or affiliation. Students, working professionals, educators, and others are all welcome.
Length of Work: Maximum 15 minutes
Content Requirements:
Any content, technique or genre is acceptable. Any production year is also acceptable.
Only, the submitted work must be created originally by the applicant, and all copyright issues — including images, sound, and any other material used in the work — must be cleared by the applicant.
In principle, there will be no selection or review process.
Submission Fee: Free of charge.
Please note that the screening fee will not be provided.

Deadlines: Entry Registration Deadline: Saturday, May 31, 2026, Entry Form
Information Submission Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Work Submission Deadline: Sunday, July 19, 2026
Screening Dates: July 31 (Fri) – August 2 (Sun), 2026

Venue: FRAME in VOX (Sanjo-Kawaramachi, Kyoto)
Contact: info@af-plan.com
Organizer: AF PLAN
Cooperation: SHIN-SHIKAKU / DENKI TOMBO Inc. , Brand new day , tapetum works, ASIFA-JAPAN

More Information, Facebook、X(twitter)

→2026.4.14 update
Renzo & Sayoko Kinoshita's "Peace Trilogy" will be screened at Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library
On April 11 (Sat) and 30 (Thu), three films— “PICA DON," “THE LAST AIR RAID - KUMAGAYA," and “RYUKYU OKOKU - MADE IN OKINAWA”— will be screened at the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library as "Renzo & Sayoko Kinoshita Film Collection.”
The screenings will be made on 35mm new prints as part of the special program "Films and Filmmakers Connected to Hiroshima," celebrating the library's relocation and opening at Yale Yale HIROSHIMA (in front of Hiroshima Station South Exit).
Please take this opportunity to appreciate the "Peace Trilogy" by Renzo Kinoshita and Sayoko Kinoshita.

Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library Relocation Opening Program: "Films and Filmmakers Connected to Hiroshima"
【Renzo Kinoshita & Sayoko Kinoshita Film Collection】

"PICA DON" (1978, 10min, 35mm)
  Director: Renzo Kinoshita
  Screenplay, Animation, Producer: Sayoko Kinoshita

"THE LAST AIR RAID - KUMAGAYA" (1993, 29 min, 35mm / Permanent screening at Peace Museum of Saitama)
  Director: Renzo Kinoshita
  Original Story, Screenplay, Producer: Sayoko Kinoshita

"RYUKYU OKOKU – MADE IN OKINAWA" (2004, 18min, 35mm)
  Original Story, Screenplay, Director: Renzo Kinoshita & Sayoko Kinoshita

Date & Time: April 11th  (Sat), 2026: 11:00 –, 14:30 –
       April 30th (Thu), 2026: 11:00 –, 14:30 –, 18:30 –
       *After the 14:30 screening on April 11th (Sat),
       Makiko Nagao will provide film commentary.

Venue: Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library
    10F Yale Yale HIROSHIMA, 9-1 Matsubara-cho,
    Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0822
    (Approx. 5 min. walk from Hiroshima Station South Exit)
    TEL: 082-298-0551  FAX: 082-298-0552

Admission: Adults: 510 yen
      Seniors (65+) / High school students: 250 yen,
      Junior high students and younger: Free

Organizer / Inquiry: Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library
           TEL: 082-298-0551  FAX: 082-298-0552

For more details, please see the flyer and visit the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library website.

→2026.4.13 update
Yuichi Ito's solo exhibition, “KNYACKI ! 30th Anniversary: Neo-Craft Animation - Yuichi Ito Exhibition, ” is coming soon!
From April 8th (Wed), to April 13th (Mon), a solo exhibition, “KNYACKI ! 30th Anniversary: Neo-Craft Animation - Yuichi Ito Exhibition,” will be held at Bosch Hall in Yokohama.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the broadcasting of ‘KNYACKI !’, this exhibition gives us an all-around experience of the creative world of Yuichi Ito, who is fascinated by stop-motion animation. The event features “Exhibition of Clay Animation Puppets and Art”, “Animation Screening and Special Talk“, and “Clay Animation Workshop” led by Ito himself.
Please check the details below and don’t miss this opportunity!

"Knyacki! 30th Anniversary Neo Craft Animation - Yuichi Ito Exhibition"

"Exhibition of Clay Animation Puppets and Art"
Date & Time: April 8th (Wed) – 13th (Mon), 2026, at 10:00 a.m. -17:00 p.m.
       *The final day, April 13th (Mon) : Until 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Gallery of Bosch Hall (Tsuzuki Ward Cultural Center)
    1-9-33 Nakagawa-chuo, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa
Admission: Free (for all ages)

"Yuichi Ito Animation Screening + Special Talk"
Date & Time: April 11th (Sat), 2026
       1) Morning session - Doors open: 10:30 a.m./ Start 11:00 a.m.
       2) Afternoon session - Doors open: 2:30 p.m./ Start 3:00 p.m.cial
       *Screening: approx. 60 min., Special Talk: approx. 60 min.
Venue: Theater Hall of Bosch Hall (Tsuzuki Ward Cultural Center)
Admission: All seat-designated
      Adults 1,800 yen / Children ( 5-12 years old) 1,000 yen
      * Children under 5 years old are not admitted.
Booking: Advance reservation is required either at:
     - Bosch Hall’s reception counter or by phone 045-530-5084,
     with ticket pickup.
     Reception hours : 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., excluding closed days.

     - Bosch Hall LINE Ticket Service - Please book via the links below:
     1) Morning session (doors open 10:30 a.m.)
     2) Afternoon session (doors open 2:30 p.m.)

"Clay Animation Workshop"
Date & Time: April 12th (Sun), 2026
       1) Doors open : 10:00 a.m./ Start 10:30 a.m.
       2) Doors open: 2:00 p.m./ Start 2:30 p.m.
       * Target age: 6 years old and up.
Venue: Rehearsal Room of Bosch Hall (Tsuzuki Ward Cultural Center)
Admission: 1,000 yen (Each session is limited to 20 participants.
      Materials are included in the fee.)
Booking: Advance reservation is required at Bosch Hall’s reception counter
     or by phone 045-530-5084.
     Reception hours : 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., excluding closed days.

Organizer: Bosch Hall / I.TOON Ltd.
Support: Yokohama Creative Foundation

For further details, please visit the Bosch Hall website.

→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.