<2011 Audience Choice Award>

“Two-Timer” directed by Rikiya Imaizumi

An unforeseeable improvised drama about a girl, her boyfriend, her stalker and two-timing.

<2011 Festival Choice Award>

“Little Red Riding Hood and Health” directed by Ryo Inoue

A funny animation about Little Red Riding Hood who tries to help the wolf’s organs who are troubled by the fact that the wolf has metabolic syndrome.

Thank you also to all those who were able to join us at the Closing Party. More than 70 guests came out to celebrate and mingle with other film lovers and our guest filmmaker from Japan, Rikiya Imaizumi, and his family. We hope you enjoyed too the Asahi beer and Wafu Japanese vinaigrette.

This year we tried something new with the TJSFF pre-event, co-hosted by the Japan Foundation.  We were very pleased that more than 70 people were able to come on March 17^th to watch films by Canadian and Japanese filmmakers and hear the artists from both countries talk about their work and the specific practices and challenges in making cinematic shorts.  Thank you to all for the fascinating questions and conversations.

And thank you very much for your contributions to the Japan relief efforts. We put out a donation box at the theatre during the festival and we received $513.05 over the 3 nights, which is being donated to the Japan Red Cross.

In wrapping up the 8th Annual TJSFF, we would like to thank again all of the people who continue to help make the festival happen, in particular our enthusiastic volunteers, our important sponsors, and of course our wonderful audience.

We are looking forward to seeing you all next time at the 9th Toronto Japanese Short Film Festival.

Guest speakers include up-and-coming Japanese short film directors Isamu Hirabayashi and Rikiya Imaizumi, and Torontonian filmmakers Tom Feiler, Christopher Donaldson and Samir Rehem.   Following a unique screening of their films, we will hear the perspectives of these 5 directors on the specific artistry of short film and the strengths of the medium.

* Note: Space is limited – please arrive early to ensure seating.

Click here for further information.

This year features the work of Isamu Hirabayashi in the opening program (MOMO program). Some of you may remember his film Doron, which won The Festival Choice Award at TJSFF in 2006. The MOMO program presents 6 of his short films, including his masterpiece TEXTISM, his recently produced Shikasha, which was screened at Cannes Film Festival Directors’ Fortnight 2010, and his latest film and first animation work KIBISO. This year’s other themed program is titled NASHI, which features Palm of the Hand Stories, adapted from a series of short stories written by Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata. The ICHIGO, MIKAN and RINGO programs show 4-10 of the latest shorts from Japan each.

Click here for the full line-up.

TJSFF 2011 opens with a free talk & screening event at The Japan Foundation (131 Bloor Street West) in the evening of March 17th. Guest speakers will include Isamu Hirabayashi, one of the most interesting up and coming Japanese short-film-makers today.

TJSFF 2011 regular screenings will be held from the 18^th through the 20^th of March at Innis Townhall Theatre (2 Sussex. Ave). We will have 5 programs that screen twice over 3 nights.

This year features the work of Hirabayashi in the opening program (MOMO program). Some of you may remember his film “Doron”, which won The Festival Choice Award at TJSFF in 2006.

You are warmly invited to the Closing Gala Party on the night of the 20^th of March. Director Hirabayashi will be joining us along with other filmmakers from Japan. We hope you will join us for this special night and help us celebrate together the 8th anniversary of the Toronto Japanese Short Film Festival.

We hope you will be able to join us, and we look forward to seeing you there.

**The full line-up will be announced at the end of January.