Jury

Introducing the SSFF & ASIA 2025 jury members who will select the various awards.

International Competition & Non-Fiction Competition Jury

Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo

Debo Adedayo

Actor, Producer

Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, is an award-winning Nigerian actor, content producer, and humanitarian. A trained thespian and founder of Mr Macaroni Entertainment, he creates high-quality drama content and brand marketing campaigns. Debo rose to fame in 2019 with his satirical Daddy Wa character and, with over 16 million followers, he seamlessly blends humor with social impact. His credits include Lisabi (Netfl ix), Freedom Way, and The Legend of The Vagabond Queen (TIFF, Red Sea 2024). Acclaimed for his art and advocacy, Debo was named on The Nollywood 100 list as one of Nigeria’s most infl uential fi lm fi gures.

Juri Ueno

Actor

Born on 05.25.1986. Won the Academy Award for the Best Newcomer for her first movie “Swing Girls” in 2004. In 2019, she starred in the drama “Medical Examiner Asagao,” which aired for an unprecedented two consecutive seasons (Season 1 and Season 2) and won the Bronze Award in the acting category at the NY Festival. In 2008, “Nodame Cantabile,” the drama series in which she played the leading role for the first time, was made into a double feature film with the first part and second part filmed on location overseas. In 2023, it was made into a musical and performed by herself. She has also acted in a wide range of other productions. This year, she dubbed for the Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon‘s new film “Puffin Rock and The New Friends” (May 30). Her fashion brand “Tui Kauri” is made with a focus on recycling that is friendly to the global environment and people, and has　been rated among the world’s best brands by Good On You, an ethical fashion evaluation organization established in Australia.

Miyuki Fukuma

Producer

After completing graduate school and studying abroad in Geneva, she worked for a production company. In 2014, participated in the founding of “BUNBUKU.” Recent productions include “The Truth” (2019), a Japan-France co-production directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, which was officially selected for the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival; the Korean film “Broker” (2022), which won the Best Actor Award and the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival; and the Netflix series “Asura” (2025). Other notable works include the omnibus film “Ten Years Japan” (2018), created by five emerging directors, and “Untitled (Human Mask)”, a video project by contemporary artist Pierre Huyghe. Additionally, “A Pale View of Hills,” a Japan-UK-Poland co-production directed by Kei Ishikawa and based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel, is set for release in the summer of 2025.

Asia International Competition & Japan Competition Jury

Sandrine Faucher Cassidy

USC’s Senior Director of Festival, Distribution & Talent Development

Sandrine grew up in Morocco and France. She joined Unifrance in 1996 and discovered the world of festivals. The relationships she built with programmers gave her a specific insight into each festival and their subtle differences of style and mission. Sandrine moved to Los Angeles and since 1998, serves with passion as USC’s Senior Director of Festival, Distribution & Talent Development. She advises students and alumni on strategies for their student films and independent features in the festival circuit and reach their career goals.
She is responsible for the Licensing of the large catalogue of USC shorts. She has recently taken a creative role on screenplays, or films in post production as Producer on independent features, Sandrine is often invited to participate in juries, panels or to give individual mentoring sessions. She has been on the Tribeca Festival screening committee since 2015.

Shunji Iwai

Director

Born in 1963 in Miyagi Prefecture. Since 1988, has an impressive career in all manners of film production on TV dramas and music videos. His distinctive visual style is often referred to as “Iwai Aesthetics.”
In 1995, he made his feature film directorial debut with “Love Letter.” His notable works include “Swallowtail,” “All About Lily Chou-Chou,” “Hana and Alice,” “Vampire,” and “Last Letter.”
In 2012, he wrote the lyrics for “Flowers Will Bloom,” a song created to support recovery efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. He ventured into feature-length animation with “The Case of Hana & Alice,” which received critical acclaim both in Japan and internationally.
In October 2023, he released “Kyrie’s Song.” With international appeal, he continues to work across diverse genres on a global scale.

Satoshi Jimbo

Actor

Born on December 3, 1962, in Shizuoka Prefecture.
He made his official acting debut in 1992 with the TV drama Requiem for a Father: Navy Paymaster Lieutenant Nobuyoshi Koizumi.
Since then, he has appeared in a wide range of works including TV dramas, films, stage productions, and narrations.
Recent notable appearances include the films Doctor-X: The Movie FINAL (2024) and Knuckle Girl (2023); TV dramas such as the AIBOU series, New Shogun (TV Asahi), Secret Mitsuko (NTV), and Gifted Season 2 (WOWOW); and stage productions like Ronin Street (2025), A Better Tomorrow (2024), and Joan of Arc (2023).
He also appeared in the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2023 nominated film The Izakaya Dialogue, and is scheduled to perform in another stage production this fall.

Animation Competition Jury

Tao Okamoto

Actor / Model / Film Director

Tao Okamoto made her debut as a model at the age of 14 in Japan, and in 2006, she moved to Paris. Since then, she has appeared in numerous top fashion shows in Paris, Milan, London, and New York, as well as in various magazines and campaigns. In 2013, she made her screen debut in 20th Century Fox’s “The Wolverine.” Her career has flourished with roles in major films such as “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016), along with numerous independent projects. Tao has also showcased her talent in international and domestic TV series, including “Westworld” (HBO), “Hannibal” (NBC), “Last Man” (TBS), and “The Silent Service” (Amazon). In 2023, she expanded her creative horizons by debuting as a screenwriter, producer, and director with “Sun & Moon.” She is currently producing her third film, “My Sweet Pala”. In addition, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s latest film will be released in 2026.

Ryōhei Odai

TV Personality / Actor

Born February 23, 1971, in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from Kobe Gakuin University with a degree in law. While working in sales for a home appliance manufacturer, he began modeling in Sendai to make friends after being transferred there. Later, he moved to Tokyo to focus on a career in entertainment. He made his acting debut in 2002, playing Shuichi Kitaoka/Kamen Rider Zolda in “Kamen Rider Ryuki.” From 2007 to 2022, he was active as a member of the chorus group “Junretsu,” performing for five consecutive years at NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Year-end Song Battle). He retired from Junretsu after their appearance at the 73rd Kohaku in 2022.
Currently, he is active as a multi-talent and actor. He travels across Japan for travel programs, interacting with local people as a reporter, as well as appearing in musicals, dramas, and as a commentator on information programs.
Official Fan Club: https://odairyohei.fanpla.jp/

Tomoyuki Sugiyama

President, Digital Hollywood University (Ph.D. in Engineering)

Born in Tokyo in 1954. From 1987, he spent three years as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab. After serving as Chief Researcher at the International Media Research Foundation in 1990 and as a full-time lecturer at Nihon University Junior College in 1993, he founded Digital Hollywood in October 1994. In 2004, he opened “Digital Hollywood Graduate School,”Japan’s first graduate school operated by a corporation. The following year, he established “Digital Hollywood University,” where he currently serves as President of the graduate school and associated educational programs.
In September 2011, he founded the “School of Digital Media Arts” in collaboration with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (China) and became its first dean.
He also serves as an advisor for the XR Consortium, a director of Metaverse Japan, and a councilor for the Super Education Association. Additionally, he has held numerous committee positions, including Chairperson of the Fukuoka Ruby and Content Business Promotion Committee and a member of the Cabinet Secretariat’s Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters’ Content Enhancement Expert Committee.
He was awarded the Digital Media Association’s AMD Award for Distinguished Service in 1999.
His published works include Cool Japan: Why the World Wants Japanese Goods (Shodensha), What Is the Creator Spirit? (e-book / Chikuma Primer Shinsho), and Digital Stream: Redesigning the Future (New Edition, e-book / Digital Hollywood Publishers), among others.

BRANDED SHORTS Jury

Takuma Takasaki

Creative Director

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1969.
After graduating from the School of Law at Waseda University, he began work at Dentsu.
In 2025, he left Dentsu and established WRITING & DESIGN Inc.
In 2024, he received his 3rd Creator of the Year award and has garnered among many other domestic and international advertising awards.
He was involved in the planning, screenplay, and production of the film PERFECT DAYS, directed by Wim Wenders, in which Koji Yakusho won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
His publications include the novel Auto Reverse, which depicts the youth of boys who were devoted fans of Kyoko Koizumi; The Art of Expression, a book summarizing advertising techniques; and picture books such as Pitch Black and The Tree of Friendship.
He also hosts BITS & BOBS TOKYO every Friday at midnight on J-WAVE.

Hiroshi Okuyama

Film Director / SIX inc., CM Director

He won the Best New Director Award at the 66th San Sebastián International Film Festival for his feature directorial debut, “Jesus Is Dead.” He went on to direct episodes 5, 6, and 7 of the Netflix series “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House.” In 2021, he was chosen as the overall director for HERMÈS’ branded movie “HUMAN ODYSSEY.” In 2023, he directed, shot, and edited the music video for Kenshi Yonezu’s “Spinning Globe,” and the 2025 music video “BOW AND ARROW.” He was responsible for the dynamic cinematography of skater Yuzuru Hanyu. His latest film, “My Sunshine,” was officially selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and has been released theatrically in 18 countries, including Japan and France.

Kentaro Kimura

Hakuhodo, International Chief Creative Officer and Corporate Officer
Hakuhodo Kettle, Founder

At Hakuhodo, he developed a style that integrates everything from strategy to execution, and in 2006, co-founded Hakuhodo Kettle. As Co-CEO and Executive Creative Director, he has produced numerous innovative brand campaigns and branded content.
Since 2017, he has been serving as International Chief Creative Officer at Hakuhodo headquarters, leading global business and traveling extensively around the world.
He has won over 150 awards, including 10 Grand Prix, at domestic and international advertising competitions and has served as juror in over 40 international advertising award contests.
In 2024, he served as the Jury President of the Digital Craft category at Cannes Lions, and in 2025, he will be a juror in the Titanium category.
He is the co-author of Breakthrough: Inspiration Comes from Logic.

Ikue Morishita

Editor-in-Chief of “BRAIN”
Sendenkaigi Co., Ltd.

Joined Sendenkaigi Co., Ltd. in 2004. After working in the editorial department of “Sendenkaigi” and other roles, she became the Editor-in-Chief of “Kouhoukaigi” in 2014. She has held her current position since 2020.
She has also served in various government committees, including:
Member of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Pension Public Relations Review Committee” (2019–2024)
Member of the “Committee on Public Relations for All-Generation Social Security” (2020)
Member of the Reconstruction Agency’s “Sustainable Reconstruction Public Relations Review Committee” (2023)

Ū-ki Yamato

Film Director

In 2014, she won the Best New Director Award at the Japanese Professional Movie Awards.
In 2016, her film “Drowning Love” attracted over 600,000 viewers, achieving an unprecedented box office success for a female director in her 20s.
In 2019, she received the Best Emerging Director Award at the TAMA Cinema Forum.
In 2021, she served as series composer and director for the TV drama “Ikiru Toka Shinu Toka Chichioya Toka.”
She has directed music videos for numerous artists including RADWIMPS, Nogizaka46, Aimer, and back number as well as having worked on commercials for major companies.
Her latest works include directing for the NHK dramas “Fujiko F., Fujio’s Sci-Fi Short Dramas” and “The Swallow Never Comes Back.”

Saki Yogoro

Director & COO, ONE MEDIA Inc.

Born in Hiroshima in 1992. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, joined LINE Corporation and worked in brand marketing. Joined ONE MEDIA Inc. in 2021 and launched its short-form video studio division. Appointed to the board of directors in 2022 and became Chief Operating Officer in 2024. Received the Best UGC Driver award at TikTok for Business Japan Awards 2024, and selected as a finalist in the Creative Effectiveness and Force for Good categories at YouTube Works Awards Japan 2024. Specializes in creative strategy for social media and short-form video, focusing on brand communication for digital-native audiences.