Starting out as tweets on Twitter, and then posts on X, this award sifts through vast amounts of information flowing through our timelines and recognizes the images that make us stop in our tracks. As part of our assessment, we also consider whether the duration of the film is appropriate, why the film has a looping format (or not), whether there is a fully developed concept, an experimental approach, etc. This comprehensive evaluation is what distinguishes this award from the Short Film Category and gives it other meaning.
In this regard, Mr. Ohashi’s submission was evaluated highly by all the judges. At first glance, the award-winning work “The Flower and the Neighbor” may seem simplistic, but in fact, it offers an impressive array of viewpoints and perspectives of each motif. For example, the flowers, the glass vase, the line of the desk as seen through the vase, were expressed with great delicacy. When changes in perspectives are captured as BLOW-UPs, a photograph, a window, a painting and even the applied resolution can be considered a metaphor. We found his repetitive motions to be the most conceptual and deserving of the Grand Prix.
　
IWASAKI Hirotoshi

Water in a bucket ripples quietly in a monochromatic world. In contrast to the realistic depiction of the bucket and faucet, the water’s surface appears a bit raw, but its movement evokes a certain persuasive power. The artist’s careful observation is evident in the light reflected on the water bucket’s surface. What I personally appreciated was the characterized image of the face reflected in the mirror-like surface of the water. The movement of the water distorted the image, causing the real and imaginary to be perpetually suspended.
While called a “film festival”, this event is not limited to film. Its doors are open to a wide range
of expression, including anime and other popular mediums. We look forward to seeing more from Mr. Nagae as an artist who truly embodies the spirit of this award.
　
IWASAKI Hirotoshi

This work of animation repeatedly changes its DNA. It has no frame-like structure or “landing point” that anchors our consciousness. Combined with the witty use of sound, it creates an almost spiritual experience akin to encountering the unknown in an infinite time-space continuum, despite it being a short loop. Vivid colors expressed with youthful tension suggest a new life form that has given shape to the flow of time. It’s like coming face-to-face with a divinity that frees us from this cumbersome, rational world and whisks us away to a universe of nothingness.
The moment it appears on our social timeline, we want to unplug our Ethernet cables and watch it forever. We’d like to present a heartfelt Special Jury Award to the keen originality of this wonderful and frighteningly laid-back, adorable film.
　
Hattori-Graphics

Selecting a film for the Special Jury Award from the many entries was a very difficult task and we watched all of them several times. While repeatedly watching this work, I experienced a feeling of raw energy, a mixture of pleasure, arousal and tension, as if watching a science-fiction movie. I was captivated by the unrelenting freshness and novelty of the work and the pop expression of candid eroticism made me laugh.
Also notable was the attention to detail, such as the different colors of the little people’s boots and the various tones of blue in the background. It was a bold graphic concept to create a bigger impact by limiting the number of colors and lines. The high quality of each and every scene merited the Special Jury Award. Congratulations!
　
Futaba.