Written by TC Team
A festival celebrating all things film, SSFF & Asia will be screening around 200 short films from around the world as they compete in a series of competitions.
What happens?
Choosing to screen films with a running time of under 25 minutes, the festival accepts fiction, animation, and non-fiction and also has a sponsored section.
Created in Japan, the event has become one of the largest film festivals in Asia since beginning in 1999 with six short films. It’s Japan’s only film festival accredited by the Academy Awards — which means a film here that gets a nod qualifies for an Oscar nomination. The quality is good and this prestigious event draws good audiences.
Schedule 2025
This year’s festival explores the theme “creative active generative”, celebrating the intersection of technology and storytelling, with a focus on the rise of AI-generated content in filmmaking. Of the 4,592 submissions from 108 countries and regions, 275 were AI-generated, reflecting trends in family ties, generational conflicts, trans youth perspectives, and dementia.
Online screenings begin on Thursday, April 24 and continue until June 30, 2025.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28 at Takanawa Gateway City, featuring red carpet appearances by jury member Shunji Iwai and Korean star Oh Man-seok (Crash Landing on You), along with other notable guests.
Tokyo screenings will go from May 29 to June 10 at various venues including Omotesando Hills Space O, Akasaka Inter City Conference, WITH HARAJUKU, and more.
There will also be a concert celebrating friendly relations between Japan and South Korea on May 31, with shows at 1 and 5 p.m. at Takanawa Gateway City. Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 24 from 2 p.m.
Tickets
Most tickets are free — minus the opening ceremony — and can be reserved on the official website. All online viewings are also available for free.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
