About
SSFF & ASIA 2026 Outline
- Title
- Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026 (SSFF & ASIA 2026)
- Dates
-
Online Grand Theater May 25 (Mon) – June 30 (Tue) Opening Ceremony May 25 (Mon) Venues in Tokyo May 26 (Tue) – June 9 (Tue) Award Ceremony June 10 (Wed) - Screening Venues
- MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives
(Box1000、Tatami、Park Terrace）
Akasaka Intercity Conference, Euro Live, WITH HARAJUKU HALL, LIFORK HARAJUKU
*Dates and programs vary by venue - Ticket
- Admission required for both in-person and online screenings. Some events are free of charge.
Ticket sales begin on April 25 (Thu) at 14:00
*Opening event starts at 18:00 on the same day - Organizer
- ommittee for Short Shorts / Committee for Short Shorts Film Festival Asia
*All events, films, and schedules are subject to change.
SSFF & ASIA 2026 Theme
CINEMA ENGINEERING
The True Value of the Cinematic Experience: This Year’s Theme – “Cinema Engineering”
Cameras, lighting, sound, and now AI. By meticulously weaving these elements together, we construct an experience that resonates deep within the audience’s soul. This year’s festival shines a spotlight on short films through the lens of this “design science.”
In an era saturated with video content and driven by algorithmic consumption, we are preparing a festival that asks: What is the true value of the “cinematic experience”? As AI dissolves the barriers of expression and “vertical video” establishes itself as a new visual language, creators from around the globe will gather here to explore the future of moving images.
Furthermore, SSFF & ASIA 2026 will feature crossovers with “Gastronomy” and “Art” to sharpen the five senses. In a world where symbiosis with AI is becoming the norm, we choose to “engineer” human perception itself and share the blueprints for moving the heart.
We invite you to join us in this space of passion and innovation.
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?
Background of the 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.
Message
Message from the President of Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia Tetsuya Bessho
We are witnessing a turning point in cinematic history, where co-creation between AI and humans—along with ‘vertical video,’ the new visual language born from smartphones—is being sublimated into art.
At the same time, the many works capturing the ‘now’ of our world, including the stories of ‘Food’ and ‘Art’ we are focusing on this year, are deeply imbued with unchanging human love and memory.
How can we ‘engineer’ technology and analog sensibilities to project hope onto our confused society? Through these exquisite short films gathered from around the globe, I want to explore with all of you the ‘true value of the cinematic experience’ in this modern age.
Message from Festival Ambassador LiLiCo
The season is finally here!
This festival continues to grow larger every year, thanks to the trust and bonds that President Tetsuya Bessho and our entire staff have built with film lovers around the world over so many years.
Talking with creators from Japan and abroad, watching their films, sharing stories, cleaning the streets together, and raising a glass… there is a truly passionate chemistry that only happens because we all love the same thing. This is the most wonderful time of the year because we get to meet the people behind the films—the very ‘soul’ of the work.
From there, we deliver those stories to all of you. I truly believe this is the most welcoming, home-like film festival in the world. We welcome you all from the bottom of our hearts!
SSFF & ASIA Navigators
In 2026, SSFF & ASIA partners with “Cho-Juidai” (Ultra Teens),” a company that bridges Generation Z with businesses and society. Harnessing the unique sensibilities and creativity of Gen Z, it has driven innovation across marketing, communication, and product development, contributing to the creation of a new future.
Joining us as official Festival Navigators are Hina Nagahama and Ayaka Honmo, both of whom command immense popularity among younger audiences.
Hina Nagahama
Agency: seju
Age: 17
TikTok: 1M followers
Instagram: 551K followers
X: 58K followers
Ayaka Honmo
Agency: seju
Age: 21
TikTok: 2.2M followers
Instagram: 428K followers
X：75K followers
SSFF & ASIA Supporters
Niina Tsuji
Agency：Zest
Age：20
Ren Fujii
Age：19
Dan Fujiwara
Agency: Tsubasa Records
Age：20
* Age and social media follower counts are as of April 22, 2026.
FAQ
About the Film Festival and Its Programs
What kind of film festival is the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)?
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?
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 kind of films can I watch? Are they suitable for young children?
About the Schedule and Venues
When and where will the film festival be held?
| MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives | May 25 – May 31 Opening Ceremony : May 25 |
|---|---|
| Akasaka Intercity Conference The Air | June 1 |
| Euro Live | June 6 – 4 |
| WITH HARAJUKU HALL | June 6 – 9 |
| LIFORK HARAJUKU | June 6 – 7 |
| LINE CUBE SHIBUYA | Award Ceremony : June 10 |
| Online Grand Theater | May 25 – June 30 |
|---|---|
| ONLINE CINEMA MARKET | May 25 -June 30 |
| Online Satellite Venue Brillia Short Shorts Theater Online |
May 25 – June 30 , with weekly streaming every Wednesday |
About tickets
When will tickets go on sale?
For more details, please refer to the ticket page.
How can I purchase tickets?
Do I need to reserve tickets in advance? Are same-day tickets available?
Since seating is limited, advance reservation is recommended.
Are there any discounts or ways to get tickets at a better price?
Can I still enter if I forget or lose my purchased ticket?
Can I cancel or get a refund for my ticket?
Venue access
How do I get to the venue?
How do I enter the venue once I arrive?
Please display your My Page where your purchased ticket can be confirmed and come to the reception desk.
If you are using any discounts, you may be asked to present an ID to verify your age.
Please have your ticket QR code ready.
You may line up for entry 20 minutes prior to the screening time of your purchased program (with some exceptions).
Once entry begins, guests will be guided into the venue in order from the front of the line.
Is it possible to leave the venue after entering?
Is photography or video recording allowed at the venue?
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 check in my belongings?
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 note that no parking vouchers will be provided.
Are there wheelchair-accessible seats?
If you require assistance or support to reach the venue, please contact the organizers in advance.
Can I bring a guide dog with me?
What should I do if I find a lost item?
Can I bring my pet with me into the venue?
About online screening
What is the Online Grand Theater?
How can I watch short films at the Online Grand Theater?
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?
When is the Online Grand Theater?
Can I download the short films?
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