Important Announcement:
The Future of the International Animation Festival in Japan - HIROSHIMA

Important Announcement:he Future of International Animation Festival in Japan - HIROSHIMA
We regret to announce that the International Animation Festival in Japan – HIROSHIMA (henceforth “Hiroshima Festival” or “the festival”), which we have held with the city of Hiroshima for 36 years beginning in 1984, came to an end after its 18th edition, which took place in August 2020.  >Next

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→2026.4.14 update
Renzo & Sayoko Kinoshita's "Peace Trilogy" will be screened at Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library
On April 11 (Sat) and 30 (Thu), three films— “PICA DON," “THE LAST AIR RAID - KUMAGAYA," and “RYUKYU OKOKU - MADE IN OKINAWA”— will be screened at the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library as "Renzo & Sayoko Kinoshita Film Collection.”
The screenings will be made on 35mm new prints as part of the special program "Films and Filmmakers Connected to Hiroshima," celebrating the library's relocation and opening at Yale Yale HIROSHIMA (in front of Hiroshima Station South Exit).
Please take this opportunity to appreciate the "Peace Trilogy" by Renzo Kinoshita and Sayoko Kinoshita.

Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library Relocation Opening Program: "Films and Filmmakers Connected to Hiroshima"
【Renzo Kinoshita & Sayoko Kinoshita Film Collection】

"PICA DON" (1978, 10min, 35mm)
  Director: Renzo Kinoshita
  Screenplay, Animation, Producer: Sayoko Kinoshita

"THE LAST AIR RAID - KUMAGAYA" (1993, 29 min, 35mm / Permanent screening at Peace Museum of Saitama)
  Director: Renzo Kinoshita
  Original Story, Screenplay, Producer: Sayoko Kinoshita

"RYUKYU OKOKU – MADE IN OKINAWA" (2004, 18min, 35mm)
  Original Story, Screenplay, Director: Renzo Kinoshita & Sayoko Kinoshita

Date & Time: April 11th  (Sat), 2026: 11:00 –, 14:30 –
       April 30th (Thu), 2026: 11:00 –, 14:30 –, 18:30 –
       *After the 14:30 screening on April 11th (Sat),
       Makiko Nagao will provide film commentary.

Venue: Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library
    10F Yale Yale HIROSHIMA, 9-1 Matsubara-cho,
    Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0822
    (Approx. 5 min. walk from Hiroshima Station South Exit)
    TEL: 082-298-0551  FAX: 082-298-0552

Admission: Adults: 510 yen
      Seniors (65+) / High school students: 250 yen,
      Junior high students and younger: Free

Organizer / Inquiry: Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library
           TEL: 082-298-0551  FAX: 082-298-0552

For more details, please see the flyer and visit the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library website.

→2026.4.13 update
Yuichi Ito's solo exhibition, “KNYACKI ! 30th Anniversary: Neo-Craft Animation - Yuichi Ito Exhibition, ” is coming soon!
From April 8th (Wed), to April 13th (Mon), a solo exhibition, “KNYACKI ! 30th Anniversary: Neo-Craft Animation - Yuichi Ito Exhibition,” will be held at Bosch Hall in Yokohama.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the broadcasting of ‘KNYACKI !’, this exhibition gives us an all-around experience of the creative world of Yuichi Ito, who is fascinated by stop-motion animation. The event features “Exhibition of Clay Animation Puppets and Art”, “Animation Screening and Special Talk“, and “Clay Animation Workshop” led by Ito himself.
Please check the details below and don’t miss this opportunity!

"Knyacki! 30th Anniversary Neo Craft Animation - Yuichi Ito Exhibition"

"Exhibition of Clay Animation Puppets and Art"
Date & Time: April 8th (Wed) – 13th (Mon), 2026, at 10:00 a.m. -17:00 p.m.
       *The final day, April 13th (Mon) : Until 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Gallery of Bosch Hall (Tsuzuki Ward Cultural Center)
    1-9-33 Nakagawa-chuo, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa
Admission: Free (for all ages)

"Yuichi Ito Animation Screening + Special Talk"
Date & Time: April 11th (Sat), 2026
       1) Morning session - Doors open: 10:30 a.m./ Start 11:00 a.m.
       2) Afternoon session - Doors open: 2:30 p.m./ Start 3:00 p.m.cial
       *Screening: approx. 60 min., Special Talk: approx. 60 min.
Venue: Theater Hall of Bosch Hall (Tsuzuki Ward Cultural Center)
Admission: All seat-designated
      Adults 1,800 yen / Children ( 5-12 years old) 1,000 yen
      * Children under 5 years old are not admitted.
Booking: Advance reservation is required either at:
     - Bosch Hall’s reception counter or by phone 045-530-5084,
     with ticket pickup.
     Reception hours : 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., excluding closed days.

     - Bosch Hall LINE Ticket Service - Please book via the links below:
     1) Morning session (doors open 10:30 a.m.)
     2) Afternoon session (doors open 2:30 p.m.)

"Clay Animation Workshop"
Date & Time: April 12th (Sun), 2026
       1) Doors open : 10:00 a.m./ Start 10:30 a.m.
       2) Doors open: 2:00 p.m./ Start 2:30 p.m.
       * Target age: 6 years old and up.
Venue: Rehearsal Room of Bosch Hall (Tsuzuki Ward Cultural Center)
Admission: 1,000 yen (Each session is limited to 20 participants.
      Materials are included in the fee.)
Booking: Advance reservation is required at Bosch Hall’s reception counter
     or by phone 045-530-5084.
     Reception hours : 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., excluding closed days.

Organizer: Bosch Hall / I.TOON Ltd.
Support: Yokohama Creative Foundation

For further details, please visit the Bosch Hall website.

→2026.1.19 update
Hiromitsu Murakami and Keiko Shiraishi will appear at the Animation Documentary Screening & Talk “Connected Memories and Records”!
On Saturday, January 24th, Keiko Shiraishi's work will be screened and discussed at the Animation Documentary Screening & Talk “Connecting Memories and Records”. Hiromitsu Murakami will serve as the moderator.

Another form of “documentary” told through animation.
This program presents four animated works created from real events—including stories of families and parent-child relationships, as well as memories of war and natural disasters. Drawing on interviews and personal recollections, these works explore reality through the expressive medium of animation.

Following the screenings, the directors will discuss behind-the-scenes aspects of their creative process and artistic approaches.

Animation Documentary Screening & Talk
“Connected Memories and Records”
Presented by the Japan Animation Association

Speakers:
Nayuko Otaka (Animation Artist)
Hitomi Otakara (also known as KEKE Shiratama) (Filmmaker)
Keiko Shiraishi (Animation Director)

Moderator:
Hiromitsu Murakami (Associate Professor, Department of Information Media, Kanagawa Institute of Technology; Representative Director, Flicker Corp.)

Date & Time:
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 14:00–16:00

Venue:
Mori no Innovation Lab FUJINO (3-minute walk from JR Chūō Line “Fujino” Station)

Admission: Free

Program
1.Mini Lecture:
“About Animation Documentary”

2.Screenings:
“Animemory – The Library of Memories –“ directed by Nayuko Otaka / 2025
“calling you” directed by Hitomi Otakara (KEKE Shiratama) / 2016
“Hide-and-seek” directed by Keiko Shiraishi / 2012
“NHK Letters from Hibakusha ‘My balsam grandpa’” directed by Keiko Shiraishi / 2017

3.Directors’ Talk:
Nayuko Otaka, Hitomi Otakara (KEKE Shiratama), Keiko Shiraishi

4.Q&A

Organized by: Fujino Film Festival Executive Committee
Co-organized by: Mori Lab Film Project
Special Cooperation: Japan Animation Association
Planning & Management: JAA Animation Caravan

Registration & Inquiries: info@morilab-fujino.jp

For more details, please visit the Mori Lab website.