About
Introduction
Experience an Autumn of Short Films!
SSFF & ASIA 2025 Autumn International Short Film Festival
Tokyo, September 25, 2025 — Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA), an Academy Awards® accredited and the largest international short film festival in Asia proudly presents annual “Screening in Autumn” from October 22 to November 11.
Co-hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the festival will be held at Akasaka Intercity Conference, Tokyo Photographic Art Museum Hall, and LIFORK HARAJUKU, while also streaming worldwide via the Online Grand Theatre.
This year’s program features more than 30 “Best of the Best” short films, including “Pantyhose”, winner of the SSFF & ASIA 2025 Grand Prix – George Lucas Award, as well as the Live Action, Animation, and Non-Fiction category winners, all strong contenders for the 2026 Academy Awards® short film categories. For the first time, the festival introduces a One-Day Pass system, allowing audiences to enjoy up to 12 films per day, offering flexibility for those who want to immerse themselves in every screening or simply drop in between their daily schedules—embracing the unique viewing style that only short films can provide.
The lineup also includes a curated selection of works exploring themes such as Art, AI, Shock, and LGBTQ+, along with special invitational screenings. Highlights include:
Highlights are the Japanese premiere of “How to Open the Door”, produced by and starring Korean star Kim Nam-gil (of The Fiery Priest）.
In collaboration with the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), SSFF & ASIA will also spotlight works by 5 visiting women directors from 5 countries, as well as a special focus on Brazilian films.
SSFF & ASIA 2025 Autumn Outline
- Schedule &
Venues -
<Online Venues> Online Grand Theater October 22 (Wed) – November 10 (Mon) Online Satellite Venue
Brillia Short Shorts Theater OnlineOctober 1 (Wed) – October 29 (Wed),
with weekly streaming every Wednesday<Tokyo Venues> Akasaka Intercity Conference The Green October 22 Tokyo Photographic Art Museum October 23 LIFORK HARAJUKU October 24 Akasaka Intercity Conference The Air October 25–26 - * For details on screening and event start times, please refer to the festival schedule.
About SSFF & ASIA
In 1999, actor Tetsuya Bessho, member of the Screen Actors Guild of America (SAG), has worked to introduce the then new genre, “short films,” which he first encountered in the United States, to film fans in Japan as the American Short Shorts Film Festival.
In 2001, the festival was renamed the Short Shorts Film Festival.
In 2004, SSFF was recognized as an Academy Award® accredited film festival.
In the same year, SSFF was established with the aim of promoting new visual culture from Asia and nurturing up-and-coming young filmmakers. The Short Shorts Film Festival Asia (SSFF ASIA, co-sponsored by Tokyo Metropolitan Government) was established and the festival is now known collectively as SSFF & ASIA.
To commemorate the festival’s 20th anniversary in 2018, the Grand Prix film was named the “George Lucas Award” in honor of director George Lucas.
In January 2019, the Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood was held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival. In addition, beginning with the 2019 festival, in addition to the Official Competitions (International, Asia International, and Japan), the Non-Fiction Competition and this year, the Animation Competition Best Short winners have also become eligible for nomination at the Academy Awards the following year. SSFF & ASIA will continue to support young creators through the festival.
FAQ
About the Film Festival and Its Programs
What kind of film festival is the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)?
In 1999, actor Tetsuya Bessho, member of the Screen Actors Guild of America (SAG), has worked to introduce the then new genre, “short films,” which he first encountered in the United States, to film fans in Japan as the American Short Shorts Film Festival.
In 2001, the festival was renamed the Short Shorts Film Festival.
In 2004, SSFF was recognized as an Academy Award® accredited film festival.
In the same year, SSFF was established with the aim of promoting new visual culture from Asia and nurturing up-and-coming young filmmakers. The Short Shorts Film Festival Asia (SSFF ASIA, co-sponsored by Tokyo Metropolitan Government) was established and the festival is now known collectively as SSFF & ASIA.
To commemorate the festival’s 20th anniversary in 2018, the Grand Prix film was named the “George Lucas Award” in honor of director George Lucas.
In January 2019, the Short Shorts Film Festival in Hollywood was held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival. In addition, beginning with the 2019 festival, in addition to the International, Asia International, and Japan, the Non-Fiction Competition and this year, the Animation Competition Best Short winners have also become eligible for nomination at the Academy Awards the following year. SSFF & ASIA will continue to support young creators through the festival.
What is Short Film?
Short film is a cinematic piece of work that ranges from lengths as short as 1 minute to as long as approximately 30 minutes. For the Official Competition of SSFF & ASIA, submitted works are restricted to less than 25 minutes. Despite its short length, there is a wide variety in these works such as drama, animation, and documentary and many of the stories are rich in wit and cinematic expression that can only be possible given the short length of the piece.
There are quite a few directors who started out their careers making short films such as George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg, and there are many short films that have famous actors appear in them as well. Furthermore, short films provide a format that cultivates the talent of up and coming filmmakers, and film festivals are a gateway for their success. How would you like to witness the possibilities of future filmmakers at this film festival?
What is BRANDED SHORTS?
Starting in 2016, SSFF & ASIA launched a project focused on “Branded Movies,” which convey corporate or brand messages through short films. Unlike typical commercials, these films deliberately avoid overt advertising and aim to deliver brand, regional, or social messages in a way that audiences can enjoy. Branded Movies are characterized by high storytelling and production quality, and are recognized not merely as advertisements but as short films that allow audiences to enjoy brand communication as cinema.
What kind of films can I watch? Are they suitable for young children?
Our program offers a wide mix of short films that are fun, thrilling, inspiring, and always engaging. While most films can be enjoyed by general audiences, a few may include themes not suitable for young children.
About the Schedule and Venues
When and where will the film festival be held?
The festival will be held at both Tokyo venues and online venues. The schedule for each is as follows:
<Tokyo Venues>
Akasaka Intercity Conference The Green: October 22
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum: October 23
LIFORK HARAJUKU: October 24
Akasaka Intercity Conference The Air: October 25–26
<Online Venues>
Online Grand Theater: October 22 (Wed) – November 10 (Mon)
Online Satellite Venue: Brillia Short Shorts Theater Online: October 1 (Wed) – October 29 (Wed), with weekly streaming every Wednesday
About tickets
When will tickets go on sale?
Except for certain events, tickets will go on sale from 2:00 PM JST on September 25. For more details, please refer to the ticket page.
How can I purchase tickets?
Please proceed to purchase tickets via the ticket page. Same-day tickets are also available at the venue reception.
Do I need to reserve tickets in advance? Are same-day tickets available?
Same-day tickets are available at the venue reception. Since seating is limited, advance reservation is recommended.
Are there any discounts or ways to get tickets at a better price?
Discounts are available. Please check the ticket page for details.
Can I still enter if I forget or lose my purchased ticket?
Yes, you can check in at the venue reception by providing your name.
Can I cancel or get a refund for my ticket?
As a general rule, tickets are non-refundable after purchase. Thank you for your understanding.
Venue access
How do I get to the venue?
The access information for each venue is listed on the Venue Access page. Please be sure to check it.
How do I enter the venue once I arrive?
When you arrive at the venue, please show your purchased ticket to the staff at the reception. For events with a designated check-in time, please wait in the queue, and your ticket will be checked when entry begins.
Is it possible to leave the venue after entering?
You may enter and leave the venue during the event; however, please try to minimize movement during screenings, as it may disturb other audience members.
Is photography or video recording allowed at the venue?
Photography or video recording of the screen during screenings is prohibited. You may take photos or videos at other times, including the venue lobby and exhibits. For talk events or similar programs, please follow the instructions of the staff and MC.
Can I bring food or drinks into the venue? Can I eat or drink inside the venue?
At the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, bringing food or drinks into the hall is prohibited. At other venues, you may bring drinks with lids, but in some cases, staff may ask you not to bring them in. We appreciate your cooperation.
Can I check in my belongings?
As a general rule, please manage your belongings yourself. Large items such as suitcases that are difficult to bring into the hall can be temporarily stored at the reception; however, please keep your valuables with you. Please note that in some cases, we may not be able to accept certain items.
Is there parking at the venue? Are parking services available?
Please check the website of each venue or contact them directly for parking information. Please note that no parking vouchers will be provided.
Are there wheelchair-accessible seats?
Wheelchair-accessible seats are available at all venues. If you require assistance or support to reach the venue, please contact the organizers in advance.
Can I bring a guide dog with me?
If you are accompanied by an assistance dog, including a guide dog, please contact the organizers in advance.
What should I do if I find a lost item?
If you find any lost or forgotten items inside the venue or hall, please kindly bring them to the venue reception along with the location where you found them.
Can I bring my pet with me into the venue?
As a rule, pets are not allowed in the venue. However, if you are accompanied by an assistance dog, including guide dogs, please contact the organizers in advance.
About online screening
What is the Online Grand Theater?
It is the festival’s online venue where you can watch short films using your smartphone or computer.
In addition to the films screened at the Tokyo venues, there are also online-only titles available, so be sure to enjoy them!
How can I watch short films at the Online Grand Theater?
You can enjoy the Online Grand Theater through the video streaming service LIFE LOG BOX.
To watch the films, you need to register as a member of LIFE LOG BOX and purchase a viewing passport with a credit card (via Stripe).
With a single purchase, you can watch all available films as many times as you like during the streaming period.
Please note that the streaming period may vary depending on the film. For details, please refer to the Online Grand Theater page.
Are the films available in the Online Grand Theater different from the films that will be screened at the Tokyo Venue?
Yes. The films that are only available on the Online Grand Theater will be streamed from October 22nd to November 10th. Some of the films that will be screened at the Tokyo Venue will also be available at the Online Grand Theater after October 27th.
When is the Online Grand Theater open?
The Online Grand Theater will be open from Wednesday, October 22 to Monday, November 10.
Can I download the short films?
Short films cannot be downloaded.
Co-organizer
Japan Cultural Expo 2.0 Organizer
Partner
