The eagerly anticipated Hiroshima Animation Season 2024 is slated to captivate audiences in Hiroshima, Japan, from August 14th to 18th, promising five days filled with animated brilliance from across the globe.
Among the esteemed jury members announced for the “Short Films” and “Pan-Pacific and Asia Youth” categories are luminaries such as Joaquín Cociña from Chile, renowned for his work on “The Wolf House,” Moon Sujin representing Korea with her contributions to “Persona,” and Atsushi Wada from Japan, celebrated for “Bird in the Peninsula.” The lineup also includes Waltraud Grausgruber from Austria, Liu Jian from China, Chi-Sui Wang from Taiwan, and Stéphane Aubier from Belgium, with more additions to be disclosed shortly.
The festival’s main program, the competition, will span four categories: Short Films, Feature Films, Pan-Pacific and Asia Youth, and Japanese Commissioned Films, promising a diverse array of cinematic delights for attendees.
Highlighted within the festival are retrospective screenings, including the first major retrospective in Japan of León & Cociña’s work from “The Wolf House,” featuring the presence of Joaquín Cociña himself. Additionally, audiences can anticipate a showcase of the “A Town Called Panic” series, accompanied by a talk from co-director Stéphane Aubier, along with retrospectives of Liu Jian and Atsushi Wada’s esteemed oeuvres.
As the Festival Focus, special screenings curated by Waltraud Grausgruber from Tricky Women/Tricky Realities and Chi-Sui Wang from Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) promise unique insights into contemporary animation.
The festival’s main visual, crafted by animation artist Nata Metlukh from Ukraine/USA, has been revealed, adding to the excitement surrounding the event.
In tandem with the festival, the Hiroshima Artist in Residence (H-AIR) program has confirmed three invited artists from a pool of 97 applicants. Britt Raes from Belgium, Daniel Wesseik from the Netherlands, and Moon Sujin from Korea will spend three months in Hiroshima from June, engaging in creative projects, workshops, and community exchanges, with presentations of their work scheduled during the festival.
Furthermore, the Early Bird entry period for the competition has been extended until March 24th, allowing more participants to seize the opportunity. Additionally, the newly introduced Hiroshima Animation Academy & Meeting (HAM) program, a networking initiative for industry professionals and students, is currently conducting a questionnaire survey, promising a platform for fostering connections and collaboration among participants during the festival.
With its rich lineup of films, esteemed jury members, and diverse programs, Hiroshima Animation Season 2024 is poised to celebrate the art of animation in all its splendor, promising an unforgettable experience for enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
