About ANIAFF
What is ANIAFF?
Concept
Our Vision for the Festival
Animation is a universal form of expression that connects people across cultures and borders. ANIAFF was founded with the vision of creating a place in Nagoya, a city renowned for its spirit of craftsmanship and innovation, where animation and creators from around the world come together. Through the encounters and dialogue fostered at the festival, new ideas and creative collaborations will emerge, shaping the future of animation culture.
What Makes ANIAFF Unique
More than screenings:
programs that shape the future of animation.
ANIAFF is more than a place to watch films. It is a place where people learn, exchange ideas, and inspire one another, giving rise to new perspectives and new ideas. By connecting the past, present, and future of animation, ANIAFF aims to nurture the next generation of creators.
Three Missions
By fostering connections and creative
exchange, ANIAFF provides a platform
where new ideas and forms of expression can emerge.
Beyond borders, cultures, and artistic
styles, ANIAFF offers opportunities to
discover the rich diversity of animation.
ANIAFF fosters the preservation and
continued evolution of animation culture,
passing its inspiration to future generations.
Festival Overview
With the support of Aichi Prefecture and the City of Nagoya, ANIAFF brings together the region's strengths in industry and culture to create a world-class international film festival. Located in Nagoya, one of Japan's three major metropolitan areas, the festival serves as a global platform where animation, creators, and audiences from around the world come together.
Agency for Cultural Affairs,ASIFA-Hollywood
Aichi University of the Arts
Venue Access
JR: Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokaido Main Line, Chuo Main Line, Kansai Main Line
Nagoya City Subway: Higashiyama Line, Sakura-dori Line
Kintetsu: Nagoya Line
Meitetsu: Nagoya Main Line
Nagoya Rinkai Rapid Transit: Aonami Line
About the Awards
At ANIAFF, the Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in animation while supporting the continued growth of animation culture.
More than recognizing excellence, they honor creativity, innovation, and the spirit of artistic challenge, encouraging new creative expression.
The International Feature Film Competition showcases outstanding animated feature films from around the world. An International Jury selects the award-winning works, which are honored with prizes inspired by the iconic shachi (mythical tiger-headed carp) adorning the rooftop of Nagoya Castle.
Presented by the International Jury to the most outstanding film in the International Feature Film Competition.
Presented by the International Jury to the director whose outstanding direction and artistic expression distinguish their work.
Presented to the film selected by festival audiences through a public vote following the screenings.
Messages
Comment
Messages from the ANIAFF Executive Committee, the Governor of Aichi Prefecture, and the Mayor of Nagoya.
General Producer
Taro Maki
The Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival held its inaugural edition last year, welcoming guests from Japan and around the world and presenting a wide range of animated films. I can already imagine this festival continuing to grow and be embraced by audiences for years to come. Over six inspiring days, you will discover the diversity and potential of animated films. I warmly invite you to join us in Nagoya.
Festival Director
Shinichiro Inoue
The second edition of the Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival (ANIAFF) is just around the corner.
Our inaugural edition last year featured the International Feature Film Competition, showcasing outstanding films from around the world. It also included seminars and conferences on a variety of themes, as well as ANIMART, our project pitching and business matchmaking market. Together, these programs drew widespread attention.
We were also honored to collaborate with ASIFA-Hollywood, the organization behind the Annie Awards, one of animation's highest honors, as well as Women in Animation, a global organization dedicated to advancing gender equity in the animation industry.
For our second edition, we are delighted to welcome distinguished guests from Japan and around the world. From Nagoya, we hope to continue sharing the appeal of animated works with audiences around the world.
Artistic Director
Tadashi Sudo
Animation has never attracted more attention as a form of visual expression than it does today. Animated works and characters have become an integral part of our everyday lives.
Precisely because of this, we seek to take a deeper look at the past, present, and future of animation, as well as its potential—from familiar works to works yet to be discovered, and from the creators and production staff who bring them to life to the researchers, critics, people, and systems that support animation culture.
What is animation?
What does animation communicate?
What does animation bring to us?
I believe the answer lies in demonstrating the diversity of animation.
ANIAFF aims to become a special place where animation serves as a hub for everyone to come together and enjoy.
Governor of Aichi Prefecture
Hideaki Ohmura
It is a great pleasure to see the Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival held once again here in Aichi Prefecture.
The inaugural festival last year was a truly meaningful event, made possible through the passion and support of talented creators from around the world and audiences who love animation. Through the shared dedication of the festival staff and all those involved, the festival became a place filled with anticipation for visual culture and enthusiasm for creativity. In this inspiring setting, new connections were fostered among filmmakers and creators from overseas, greatly expanding the circle of international exchange. I am greatly encouraged by the prospect that these connections will lead to new creative endeavors.
Animation holds the unique power to connect people across borders and languages. By bringing together moving images, music, and storytelling, it touches our hearts, gives us hope, and serves as a bridge between cultures.
I sincerely hope this festival will continue to draw outstanding works and talented creators from Japan and around the world, providing a place where they can inspire one another. From here in Aichi, I look forward to seeing new forms of expression and new values shared with the world.
Mayor of the City of Nagoya
Ichiro Hirosawa
It is my great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations on the opening of the second Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival (ANIAFF).
ANIAFF is held to foster the development of animation in both cultural and industrial contexts while nurturing future talent through the screening and recognition of outstanding animated works from around the world, together with a wide range of programs. I would like to express my deepest respect and sincere appreciation to everyone whose dedication and hard work have made this festival possible.
The inaugural edition welcomed a diverse range of distinguished guests from Japan and abroad and generated tremendous excitement. The International Feature Film Competition attracted 45 submissions from 29 countries and regions. Characterized by their originality, artistic excellence, and profound themes, these works deeply moved audiences.
I hope that the encounters, inspiration, and creative exchange fostered through this festival will open new possibilities for animation and the broader arts and culture of our region, while laying a foundation for sharing their value with people around the world.
This festival is a great opportunity for the City of Nagoya to welcome visitors from across Japan and overseas to experience our unique artistic and cultural heritage that lives on today. By supporting this festival, we hope to contribute to the growth and promotion of culture and industry through animation.
I sincerely wish for the success of the festival and the continued growth of the animation in the years ahead.