I am truly delighted that an international animation film festival is being held for the first time in Aichi Prefecture. Our prefecture is not only known as the birthplace of many creators, such as Akira Toriyama, author of the globally popular manga “Dragon Ball”, and Kōhei Horikoshi, author of “My Hero Academia,” but is also deeply connected to animation culture through attractions like "Ghibli Park," which captivates fans from around the world, and the "World Cosplay Summit," one of the largest cosplay events in the world. By leveraging these regional strengths and welcoming talented creators from around the world, who bring diverse worldviews and exceptional creativity to their work, I am excited to see Aichi become a central hub of international cultural exchange and for the vibrancy of the entire local community to continue growing. I hope that through this film festival, visitors from around the world will experience memorable moments and meaningful encounters that are unforgettable.

On the occasion of the inaugural Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival, I would like to extend my greetings on behalf of the host city, Nagoya.
This film festival is being held with the aim of gathering animated works from around the world and contributing to the development of Japan’s animation culture and industry, as well as talent discoveries and development through screenings, awards, and various related programs.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to all parties involved for their understanding and support in hosting this festival.
Nagoya is the birthplace of the World Cosplay Summit, and as a city, we have declared ourselves a "Cosplay Host Town" in our effort to become the best place in Japan to enjoy cosplay and anime and the world’s most welcoming city for fans. Moreover, our region is home to Ghibli Park—a one-of-a-kind park that expresses the unique world of Studio Ghibli, one of Japan’s proudest cultures honored globally—making animation already one of the key fascinations of this area.
By leveraging this animation culture, we will ensure and support this film festival to share the cultural value of animation with the world, foster diverse cross-border cultural exchange, and enhance the brand image of "Japan—the great animation nation."
I would like to conclude my congratulatory address by sincerely wishing for the success of this film festival and the animation industry to continue growing.

[ Profile ]

Founded in November 2000 and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, this animation studio is headquartered in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. The company is known for producing many original-story works and for taking on a wide range of genres. Guided by its philosophy of "creating lights that illuminate the future," the studio strives to create works that inspire both creators and viewers to feel, "I can do my best again tomorrow."

Since 2018, the studio has also operated the "P.A. Training School," placing a strong focus on nurturing the next generation of creators.

Major works include true tears, CANAAN, Angel Beats!, Hanasaku Iroha, TARI TARI, SHIROBAKO, The Eccentric Family, Ya Boy Kongming!, and Skip and Loafer.

[ Reason for selection ]

A Studio Award – The Hanano-ki Award, named after Aichi Prefecture’s official tree, will be presented to P.A. Works Inc. Since its founding in 2000, the studio has built an impressive record in both planning and production, consistently showcasing exceptional creativity across its works, from original titles to adaptations of manga, novels, and games. Furthermore, at a time when very few animation studios operated outside the Tokyo area, the company established its headquarters in Toyama Prefecture, setting a new model for what an animation studio could be and influencing many studios that followed.