alama Inc. is pleased to announce that the short film 'The Ice Age Sauna' (original title: 氷河期サウナ), directed, scripted, and edited by Yusuke Yoshida, has won the Grand Jury Prize, the highest award in the Non-documentary category, at the Changing Climate Changing Lives (CCCL) Film Festival 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand.
According to the official announcement from the CCCL Film Festival, over 63 films were screened at the 2026 festival, which also featured programs designed to consider the climate crisis from multiple perspectives, including workshops, short film grant pitching sessions, and talks by filmmakers.
The official announcement also stated that this year's nine award-winning films were selected from over 800 submissions. 'The Ice Age Sauna' was listed as a Japanese film that received the Grand Jury Prize in the Non-documentary category.
About the CCCL Film Festival
The CCCL Film Festival is a film festival established in 2019 with the aim of raising awareness about climate change through the power of short films.
Its official website introduces it as the first film festival in Southeast Asia specifically focused on the theme of climate change, showcasing human stories related to climate change impacts, resilience, inspiration, and innovation.
The 2026 festival was held from June 12 to June 21, 2026, at the Jim Thompson Art Center and Lido Connect in Bangkok, Thailand.
About the Award
The 'Grand Jury Prize (Non-documentary)' awarded to 'The Ice Age Sauna' is the highest award in the Non-documentary category.
The jury for 2026 consisted of three members: Patiparn Boontarig, a Thai film director, screenwriter, and producer; Lydia Dean Pilcher, an American filmmaker, cultural strategist, and producer; and Poramin Watnakornbancha, Executive Director of the Green World Foundation.
Regarding this award, the official announcement described it as recognizing the creativity, vision, and contribution to climate storytelling of the winning works.
About 'The Ice Age Sauna'
'The Ice Age Sauna' is a short film set in the future year 2180, when the world has entered an ice age.
Set in a world ravaged by extreme climate change, the short film depicts the dialogue that arises through saunas and the inherent warmth of human beings.
The film was shot in Hokkaido and completed in September 2023. Its runtime is 12 minutes and 45 seconds. Yusuke Yoshida served as director, scriptwriter, and cinematographer.
Director Yusuke Yoshida's Comment
The inspiration for making this film came from an experience of having casual conversations with local people through a sauna in an unfamiliar place.
I wanted to capture the warmth that people inherently possess in that moment and decided to create this film.
I am deeply honored to have my work received across countries and cultures and to receive such a wonderful award.
Work Overview
Title: 氷河期サウナ
English Title: THE ICE AGE SAUNA
Director, Script, Cinematography: Yusuke Yoshida
Producers: Yusuke Yoshida, Hayato Sone, Nobuki Tanizawa
Cast: Tetsunori Tamada, Hazuki Nanbu, Tomoo Yashitada
Filming Location: Hokkaido
Completion: September 2023
Runtime: 12 minutes 45 seconds
Sponsor: Fireside Inc.
Award Overview
Film Festival Name: Changing Climate Changing Lives Film Festival 2026
Common Name: CCCL Film Festival 2026
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Dates: June 12-21, 2026
Venues: Jim Thompson Art Center, Lido Connect
Award Category: Non-documentary Category
Award Name: Grand Jury Prize
Winning Film: THE ICE AGE SAUNA (氷河期サウナ)
Director: Yusuke Yoshida
Prize Money: 50,000 Thai Baht
About alama Inc.
alama Inc. is a video production company based in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, specializing in the planning and production of TV commercials, web videos, music videos, and dramas.
Company Name: alama Inc.
Location: 3-12-2 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Established: April 2013
Representative: Tomohiro Kaji
Business Activities: Planning and production of TV commercials, web videos, music videos, dramas, and other video content.
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 受賞
- Organizations: Green World Foundation