Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s look back On Thursday (March 20th), he won the Grand Prix at his third Niigata International Animation Film Fective (NIAFF).
The award was presented to the director on the final night of the festival, held in Nigata, a port city two hours north of Tokyo from March 15th to 20th.
Oshiyama, who won the Fujian Prize for his work as an animator, emphasized the importance of handmade animation during his acceptance speech. “While animating the film, I kept hearing that AI could quickly create all the animation pieces.
“We created look back By hand, but it becomes more difficult, so this film is like a present souvenir for us. At the same time, the entire process and history of animation at the human hand will become even more valuable from now on, and its value will never be lost. ”
Manuel Cristobal, director of the Seville European Film Festival, who served as a judge, explained look back “The beautifully rendered characters are perfectly paced.”
The film recently won the Japan Academy Award for Best Animation on March 14th, and was Japan’s best-selling non-franchise animated film in 2024.
Based on a manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto (Chainsaw Man), this story follows two young artists of very different personalities who work together to create a hit manga until the tragedy strikes. This marks the feature directorial debut of Oshiyama, who previously worked as an animator in Studio Ghibli features. Boy and HeronIt premiered in Annessy.
Despite its first medium-sized release in Japan last year, it ranked among the top 20 box office revenue in the country.
More Awards
The winner of the festival’s Kabuku Award was given to works that were “unconstrained by traditional values.” Snail memoirAustralian director Adam Elliott. The film previously won Best Film at Annecy and was nominated for an Oscar. Elliot also touched on the looming presence of AI, saying, “I think the best art is always created by humans.”
The festival’s Evolve Award won the Italian award Benaldirector Giovanni Columbu, the prestigious award was sent to US director Eric Power, Paper Cut: My Life as an Indie Animator. Power is his first repetitive director of the festival When I arrive in the forest He played for his first Niaff in 2023.
The Competition section featured 12 features from 10 countries, selected from a total of 69 entries from 29 countries. Cristobal’s fellow ju apprentice was artist and educator Christine Panuschka and Noricoh, Matsumoto, producer of the draft studio.
The festival’s Okagawarin and Hanen Awards, named after the pioneer of Japanese animation born in Nigata, was announced before the festival and was awarded on March 20th.
The Okada Prize was sent to Studio Shinei Animation in Japan. Doraemon and Crayon Shin Franchise. The Koji Fukiya Award was awarded to four individuals.look back), animator Toshiyuki Inoue (Tokyo’s Godfather), Audio Director Eriko Kimura (Inside color) and composer Hayashi Yuri (My Hero Academia).
At the awards ceremony, it was announced that Niaff will shift a month ago in the fourth edition and will be held from February 20-26, 2026.
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