Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)

Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) is an international short film festival headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1999 by actor Tetsuya Bessho, its core mission is to introduce short films to Japan, promote new visual culture from Asia, and nurture emerging filmmakers by providing a platform for them to share their stories and connect with audiences and industry professionals.

The festival is an Academy Awards®-qualifying event, with winners in its Live-action, Animation, and Non-Fiction competitions becoming eligible for Oscar® nominations. SSFF & ASIA offers various competition categories, including International, Asia International, Japan, and Cinematic Tokyo, and provides online screenings through its Online Grand Theater and LIFE LOG BOX platforms. Beyond the festival itself, it supports filmmakers through initiatives like the Short Drama Pitch Competition, which offers production funding, and engages in projects such as "Branded Shorts" and "Brillia SHORTSHORTS THEATER ONLINE" to cultivate short film culture and expand its reach.

As one of Asia's largest short film festivals, SSFF & ASIA is co-organized with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The 28th edition in 2026 adopted the theme "Cinema Engineering" and featured a notable AI Showcase, exploring the intersection of technology and storytelling. The festival also announced its 2026 "Screening in Autumn" to take place in Tokyo venues from November 5-8, followed by a worldwide online edition from November 9-22. Recent developments include the launch of a global "Short Drama Pitch Competition" offering a ¥10 million production prize to foster new talent.