The 2024 Short Film and Asia Festival will focus on pressing global issues amidst ongoing conflicts and disasters worldwide, showcasing the first film entirely scripted by artificial intelligence (AI).
With the theme “Illuminating Lives”, the organizers hope that the selected films will evoke empathy, exploration, and inspiration among viewers. One of the featured films is “Palestine Islands” – a French film set against the backdrop of a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank. The story follows a young Palestinian girl who strives to convince her blind grandfather that the wall built by Israel separating their refugee camp from their hometown of Jaffa has fallen.
A scene from the film “The Artificial Conjuring Circle” – the first movie made entirely using AI technology. (Photo: mainichi.jp).
In the category for films made with smartphones, the film “Siren! Air Raid Alert! Head for Cover!” also addresses another major ongoing conflict. This 5-minute documentary from Ukraine is created using footage shot by local residents in conflict-affected areas.
Equally impressive is “Efe,” a documentary directed and filmed by journalist Shiori Ito, a prominent figure in Japan’s #MeToo movement. The film tells the story of life after the earthquake in Turkey-Syria in February 2023, seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy.
The Short Film and Asia Festival was founded in 1999 by Japanese actor Tetsuya Bessho. This is the only international short film festival in Asia with five competitive categories, aiming for the Oscars in the following year.
Taking place in a hybrid format of both online and in-person screenings, this year’s festival will present approximately 270 films selected from 4,936 entries, representing 114 countries and territories worldwide.
In light of the prevalent technology in recent years, audiences will also be treated to a range of special films made with AI assistance.
Among these, the most notable is the experimental animated film from Austria titled “The Artificial Conjuring Circle” – the first film made entirely with AI technology – and the Chinese film “Dragon Gate” – the first short animated film in watercolor style using AI-generated content.
Additionally, this year’s event will launch the “Life Log Box” – an online marketplace for short film creators to connect with business opportunities.
The films participating in the Short Film and Asia Festival will be screened at various locations in Tokyo, Japan, from June 4 to June 17. Some films are already available for viewing on online platforms until June 30.
