Niigata International Animation Film Festival selection announced

With a mission to bridge the gap between the world and Japan, as well as between animation creators and enthusiasts, NIAFF has quickly established a strong presence, achieving significant milestones just two years after its inception. The third edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from March 15 to 20, 2025, in Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

The festival received a remarkable 69 submissions from 28 different countries and regions, with a significant representation from Latin America and the Middle East that highlights the global growth of feature-length animation production.

Many submissions embraced innovative techniques, merging rotoscoping and digital methods, as well as utilizing AI. At the same time, traditional techniques like timelapse photography and stop-motion animation remain popular among creators, reflecting a rich diversity in animation practices.

The NIAFF has also disclosed the names of the three jury members who will assess the 12 films nominated for awards. Leading the jury is Manuel Cristóbal, a renowned Spanish film producer with multiple accolades from prestigious film festivals, including the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Joining him are Christine Panushka, an American animator and educator at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, and Noriko Matsumoto, a Japanese producer known for her work in stop-motion animation, including the beloved Domo-kun and Rilakkuma series.

The selected titles are:

Balentes, directed by Giovanni Columbu (Italy)

Clarice’s Dream, directed by Guto Bicalho and Fernando Gutierrez (Brazil)

Ghost Cat Anzu, directed by Yoko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita (Japan)

Living Large, directed by Kristina Dufková (Czech Republic)

Look Back, directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama (Japan)

Memoir of a Snail, directed by Adam Elliot (Australia)

Olivia & The Clouds, directed by Tomás Pichardo Espaillat (Dominican Republic)

Papercuts: My Life as an Indie Animator, directed by Eric Power (USA)

Pelikan Blue, directed by Lázló Csáki (Hungary)

Pig That Survived Foot-And-Mouth Disease, directed by Bum Wook Hur (Korea)

The Worlds Divide, directed by Denver Jackson (Canada)