Held in Niigata City, the 3rd Niigata International Animation Film Festival concluded on March 20, continuing its mission as the world’s first film festival focused on feature-length animation and one of Asia's largest in the field. Over six days starting March 15, the festival offered a diverse program honoring Niigata’s rich heritage of manga and anime creators. At the festival’s closing ceremony, Look Back, directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama, was awarded the Grand Prix in the feature-length competition category.

General Producer Taro Maki reflected on the growing popularity of the festival, saying, “We were blessed with an incredible turnout, especially in the competition screenings—it truly surprised us.”

Niigata City Mayor Yasuichi Nakahara expressed his hopes for the future: “We hope next year’s festival will once again ignite excitement across the entire city. Niigata will continue promoting itself both domestically and globally as a hub of manga and anime.”

Following the presentation of the Hiroshi Okawa Award (given to outstanding animation studios) to Shin-Ei Animation, and the Koji Fukiya Award (for exceptional technical staff) to Kiyotaka Oshiyama (animation), Toshiyuki Inoue (animation), Eriko Kimura (sound director), and Yuki Hayashi (music), the feature competition results were announced.

Grand Prix: Look Back (Japan / 2024 / 58 min)

Based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s one-shot manga, this 58-minute animated film follows two young girls—Fujino, a budding artist running a four-panel comic in her school paper, and Kyomoto, a reclusive classmate—as their bond through manga creation leads to an emotional and shocking turning point.

Jury president Manuel Cristóbal praised the film: “Its perfect pacing, beautifully drawn characters, and high-level craftsmanship show exceptional storytelling and maturity. I look forward to the director’s future works.”

Director Kiyotaka Oshiyama, accepting the award, commented:

“This film was made possible thanks to the hard work of so many animators and staff. During production, I read news about AI potentially replacing traditional animation. The Japanese animation industry has long been built on the tradition of creators honing and sharing their techniques. Whether that process can continue is uncertain. Look Back stands as a tribute to the value of hand-drawn animation. I believe the value of human-created processes will only continue to grow.”

Kabuki Prize: Memoir of a Snail (Australia / 2024 / 94 min)

Winner of the Cristal Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, this claymation story follows Grace, a lonely girl who finds solace in collecting snails. Through an unlikely friendship with the eccentric Pinky, Grace begins to rediscover hope.

Director Adam Elliot said:

“This film took eight years to complete. After 10 months of promoting it around the world, this will be our final festival appearance. The animation industry now faces threats from AI. I included a message at the end of the film: ‘This was made by human hands.’ The best stories and art can only be made by humans. I hope young filmmakers and students will be inspired to create through festivals like this.”

Evolve Award: Balentes (Italy / 2024 / 72 min)

Set in 1940 on the island of Sardinia, this film is based on a true event. As WWII looms, two young boys steal a horse from a military farm, hoping to save it from war. On their way home, one is tragically killed by a rural militia.

Jury member Christine Panushka described it as “a beautifully forward-thinking work with stunning sound design and finely detailed visuals that offer a truly unique cinematic experience. I hope this original film is discovered and celebrated worldwide.”

Director Giovanni Columbu shared his appreciation:

“I was deeply moved by the warmth of Niigata and am honored to have participated in such a wonderful festival.”

Honorable Mention: Papercuts: My Life as an Indie Animator (USA / 2024 / 87 min)

This autobiographical film by Eric Power chronicles his 20-year journey as an indie stop-motion animator using papercuts, portraying the challenges and triumphs of independent creation.

Jury member Noriko Matsumoto praised the film: “It’s an engaging journey that shares the realities of indie animation with viewers. Honest and heartfelt, this film offers lessons every animator should pass on to the next generation.”

Director Eric Power said:

“This film reflects the struggles of being an animator. I hope the Niigata Animation Camp and similar spaces can energize young creators. The path is tough and filled with rejections, but moments like today make it all worth it. I’m truly honored.”

Festival Director Shinichiro Inoue concluded, “The quality of submissions rises each year. I believe we’ve grown into a truly exceptional festival. Thank you to the people of Niigata for your hospitality and kindness.”

The festival's growth has also increased the number of nominated films seeing theatrical release in Japan. Four films from this year's lineup are already confirmed for distribution:

Memoir of a Snail (Distributor: Transformer) opens nationwide on June 27
Dispararon al pianista (Distributor: 2Meter Entertainment / GONZO) opens April 11
LIVING LARGE (Distributor: Clockworks) is scheduled for release in 2025
Pig That Survived Foot-And-Mouth Disease has been picked up by MARCH

Source : ORICON NEWS