News & Reports

SSFF ＆ ASIA 2026 Screening in Autumn has officially kicked off! On opening day, November 5, audiences were treated to five diverse screening programs.

Women-Led Films Program: Filmmaking Led by Women

Director Satsuki Okawa took the stage for the post-screening Q&A session for her film You Cannot Be Serious!.

She shared that the film infuses humor into the real-world dilemmas she experienced through childbirth and parenting, exploring the tension between pursuing a career and becoming a mother, as well as the unconscious biases that surround it.

“Having children is essential for humanity, yet it is predominantly women who bear the brunt of the life changes that follow. I found it strange that concepts like ‘diversity in lifestyle choices’ are directed so heavily toward women, while men rarely face the same scrutiny,” Director Okawa noted, sharing the candid motivation behind the project. Her approach—refusing to take things too seriously and choosing instead to laugh at the truth—shines through the buoyant, well-synchronized chemistry between Yuina Kuroshima and Atsuko Asano, leaving the audience with an enduring sense of warmth.

Her ability to channel anxiety and conflict into such an uplifting piece was truly inspiring, making it a must-watch film.

You Cannot Be Serious! will also be streamed online from November 9 to November 22. For details, visit:

You Cannot Be Serious!

TOKYO STORIES_season2 Part 1 & 2: Featuring a Host of Creators

The Q&A session following Part 1 brought together the creators behind five AI-generated short films alongside the music supervisor, who spoke candidly about their creative processes and the realities of integrating AI into filmmaking.

Among the speakers was Jonan Kishitani, director of TOKYO BASTARDS, whose protagonist is inspired by his own pet toy poodle, Nikio. Set in a near-future Shibuya, the full-AI action short delivers high-octane gunfights and aerial battles over a stolen parcel alongside comrades Ren and the robot K-02.

“The dog I live with every day holding a gun and flying across Tokyo in jet boots—AI is what bridges everyday life with unbounded imagination,” Kishitani explained. He added that the project served as a creative playground to freely animate animals and robots, something rarely feasible in standard commercial production.

Kishitani also revealed that the title BASTARDS carries an affectionate nod toward “Tokyo’s lovable scoundrels.” Transforming personal daydreams of one’s beloved dog into a full-scale action spectacle no doubt resonated deeply with the younger audience.

(日本語) TOKYO BASTARDS