News & Reports

On Day 2 of Screening in Autumn, the festival moved to kino cinéma Shinjuku, screening four programs throughout the day: Online Cinema Market- Special Screening 1 & 2, and award-winning programs Program 1- Starting Over and Program 2- Growing Up.

Four Directors Take the Stage: Unforeseen On-Set Mishaps, Behind-the-Scenes Stories, and Visions for Future Works

The “Online Cinema Market- Special Screening” showcases films registered on LIFE LOG BOX—a creator platform operated by festival organizer Visual Voice Inc.—on the big theatrical screen. This initiative links directly with the festival’s online cinema market, expanding opportunities for creators from digital distribution to in-person theatrical venues while bridging the gap between filmmakers and audiences.

Following the screening of Online Cinema Market- Special Screening 1, four directors appeared on stage. They shared a wealth of behind-the-scenes insights that cannot be gleaned from the screen alone, spanning unexpected inspirations, shooting anecdotes, and future aspirations.

WHEN YOU LIVE THROUGH THIS ENDLESS WORLD – Director Shunta Nino

“I wanted to make a film using a sound I personally despise,” said Director Nino. That sound turned out to be the audio cues from the “shuttle run” (multi-stage fitness test) familiar to Japanese school gym classes. Drawing inspiration from that distinctive electronic tone, he portrayed the claustrophobic psychological state of being backed into a corner by creative and professional burnout. The director also used his own apartment as a filming location. During a scene where a character collapses in front of Kichijoji Station, passersby immediately rushed over asking, “Are you alright?”, which humorously made it difficult to capture the full planned duration of the shot. Sharing lighthearted exchanges like “People in Kichijoji are really kind,” he offered a look behind the scenes of this swiftly completed project.

Beige Scene – Director Izumi Takeuchi Yoshida

Director Yoshida’s project began after she became involved in employment support for individuals with disabilities in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, where she was captivated by the charm of a woman she met there. Revealing that “the entire film was shot on an iPhone,” the discussion turned to how she assembled an enormous amount of everyday footage into a single piece. During filming, even when asking subjects to repeat a striking remark, the exact same words would never come out twice. By meticulously gathering these natural conversations and unfiltered expressions, she crafted a short film under 15 minutes. “There are so many fascinating people around me,” Director Yoshida remarked, expressing her passion to continue directing documentaries that capture the lives of everyday individuals.

MEAN ANGEL – Director Yuria Matsushita

Born out of roughly twenty years of involvement in the performing arts, this work was originally a 90-minute stage production before being restructured into a short film infused with an original storyline. When asked about the challenges of adapting it into a short format, Director Matsushita revealed that the cinematographer requested her to rewrite the script about seven times. The production featured an international team, including a Polish composer, and local children from an Ehime-based art collective who contributed as performers and art designers. She also shared an anecdote regarding an improvised scene between the on-screen mother and twin sister, highlighting the unique appeal of a film born from collaboration across stage arts, music, and varied expressive disciplines.

Shred – Director Akihiko Matsuzawa

“Snowboarding has roots as a counterculture driven by the pursuit of freedom,” said Director Matsuzawa. He explained his intention to portray the authentic spirit and distinct subculture of snowboarders, which often goes unseen during Olympic medal races. Placing particular emphasis on music, he collaborated with artists such as rapper GOMESS to craft a narrative reminiscent of a rap musical. Filming took place over just four days, including location shoots on snowy mountains at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters. While most of the crew were seasoned snowboarders, he noted that for the cast members, it was their very first time shooting in a snowy alpine setting. Director Matsuzawa also revealed that the short serves as a pilot for a feature-length film. With the feature screenplay already completed, he expressed exciting plans to weave in a wider array of musical genres and characters.

From Online to the Theater: Expanding Horizons for Creators

From works rooted in personal encounters to cross-disciplinary collaborations with stage arts and unique perspectives on subcultures, this special screening gathered an eclectic lineup. During the Q&A, the directors candidly shared the intentions behind their films and the creative problem-solving born out of production constraints, offering audiences a direct look into their creative drives. Moving from online distribution to a shared theatrical experience, the screening underscored the evolving potential of the Online Cinema Market.

The latter half of the day featured Program 1- Starting Over and Program 2- Growing Up, highlighting award-winning selections from SSFF & ASIA 2026.

At Program 1- Starting Over, Director Ryosuke Takahashi took the stage for Tokyo Submarine, winner of the Cinematic Tokyo Competition Best Short Award. The screening also featured So Far Away, So Close (directed by Tekkou Nogami, starring Kohei Shoji), a short film co-produced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the festival, drawing a large crowd of enthusiastic fans.

At Program 2- Growing Up, Director Yugo Takada appeared on stage for Backstitch, winner of the U-25 Project Best Short Award, and shared insights into filming short films through the unique lens and sensibilities of a young creator.

All of today’s programs will be available for streaming at the festival’s Online Grand Theater starting November 9. Be sure to check them out!