- Animated Film Competition
Year: 2024
Length: 10 mins
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Directed by: Kazuyuki Ishihara
Produced by: Makoto Mizusawa
Starring: Natsumi Kawaida (Jin), Yuichi Nakamura (Aki Kageyama), Tomori Kusunoki (Mugi), Shiori Izawa (Squirrel)
SEE THE FILM
”I’ll take you to see Shiro. That’s a promise!” Jin, a cat, promised Mugi, who was saddened by the loss of her beloved dog Shiro. Jin, who loves Mugi, heard an anecdote about the “Rainbow Bridge” from his owner, Aki, and decided to take Mugi to see Shiro at the foot of the rainbow! Will Jin be able to save Mugi from his grief? Jin invites the pigeons and squirrels in the neighborhood to join him on his grand mission!
About the Director
Kazuyuki Ishihara is a board member at StudioGOONEYS. His major credits include THE GREAT YOKAI WAR: GUARDIANS, K-TAI INVESTIGATOR 7, POCKET MONSTERS, LITTLE BATTLERS EXPERIENCE and PAC-MAN. He is known for his work bridging traditional anime and cutting-edge 3DCG.
Photos
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Awards
2024 Bon-Dance International Film Festival (Japan) – Best Short (Animation)
2024 Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology – Best 3D Animated Short – Gold Winner
2025 Abuja International Film Festival (Nigeria) – Best Short Film / Student Film
2025 Akihabara Independent Film Festival (Japan) – Grand Prix
2025 Austrian Filmfestival (Austria) – Best International Competition Short Films
2025 Ayodhya Film Festival (India) – Best Animation Film
2025 Boston International Kids Film Festival – Best Foreign Language Short Film
2025 Bridges International Film Festival (Greece) – Best Animation Film
2025 Cork Indie Film Awards – Best Animation – Award Winner
2025 Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival (India) – Best Animation
2025 San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival – Best Director