[Released Today] 2026 Academy Award® Winning and Nominated Short Film Masterpieces Finally Land in Theaters! Sequential Roadshow at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, Shimokita - Ekimae - Cinema 'K2'
Short film distribution service SAMANSA will theatrically release a selection of short film masterpieces, including 2026 Academy Award-winning and nominated works. Starting today, May 1st, they will be sequentially screened at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho and other venues, aiming to establish a new style of short film viewing in Japan.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 01:47
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 17:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 17:38 (6 min after Collected)
SAMANSA Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Representative Director: Yuichi Iwanaga), which operates the short film distribution service "SAMANSA," announced today, May 1st, 2026 (Friday), the theatrical release of "SAMANSA presents World-Renowned Award-Winning Short Film Masterpieces - Featuring 2026 Academy Award® Winners and Nominees," an omnibus screening of nine short films that have swept film festivals worldwide. These films will be shown sequentially at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho and Shimokita - Ekimae - Cinema 'K2'.
◆ Screening Information
SAMANSA presents World-Renowned Award-Winning Short Film Masterpieces
- Featuring 2026 Academy Award® Winners and Nominees -
[Special Website]
https://lp.samansa.com/awards-2026
[Screening Venues]
・Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho
・Shimokita - Ekimae - Cinema 'K2'
Release Date: From May 1st (Friday)
・Cineka Omori
Release Date: From May 15th (Friday)
*Live-action and animation categories are not in any specific order.
*Detailed screening times will be announced later on each theater's website, SAMANSA's official social media, and the special website.
[Ticket Information]
Admission Fee: Regular theater prices
*The application of senior discounts, student discounts, member discount services, etc., will be subject to each theater's regulations. Please check each theater's official website for details.
Ticket Sales: Available through each theater's online ticket reservation system and at theater box offices.
*Details on sales start times and purchase methods will be subject to each theater's regulations. Please check each theater's official website for details.
*"Academy Awards®" is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.), and this project is not sponsored, supported, or approved by the organization.
■ The Future of Cinema is Here. The Culture of "Theatrical Release of Short Films," Established in Europe and America, Comes to Japan.
In the United States, annually during the Academy Award season, an omnibus screening titled "Oscar Nominated Short Films" by ShortsTV is extensively rolled out across hundreds of screens in the U.S. and Canada, consistently achieving success. This style of "watching short films in cinemas" is not just a screening; as director Taika Waititi praises it as "a special place where stories can be told with unparalleled creative freedom," it has become established as a culture demonstrating new possibilities for cinema. SAMANSA is launching to fully introduce this global trend to Japan. Bringing world-class short films, previously only viewable at some film festivals, to Japanese cinemas as part of daily life. Through the theatrical release of nine films, including the 98th Academy Award® winner "Two People Exchanging Saliva" and "The Pearl's Tear and the Girl," SAMANSA aims to elevate short films in Japan to a "new standard of cinematic experience."
◆ Screened Works - Live-Action Category (No specific order) -
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" (Original Title: Two People Exchanging Saliva)
98th Academy Awards, Live-Action Short Film Category Winner
An unusual short film by a Romanian director who is also an art historian and a MoMA-collected artist.
Directors: Nathalie Musteata / Alexandru Sin
Production Countries: France, USA | Running Time: 36 minutes 15 seconds
≪Synopsis≫
In a society where kissing leads to execution, people shop by the number of "slaps on the cheek" instead of money. Unfortunate Angie encounters a bright and free-spirited female clerk at a department store, and is strongly drawn to her through repeated impulse purchases. Despite knowing it is forbidden, the two grow closer, but their relationship is suspected by a jealous colleague...
"Jane Austen's Period Drama" (Original Title: Jane Austen's Period Drama)
98th U.S. Academy Awards, Live-Action Short Film Category Nominee
A witty comedy born from the sensibility aspiring to opera and the craft of filmmaking.
Directors: Julia Ax / Steve Pinder
Production Country: USA | Running Time: 12 minutes 41 seconds
≪Synopsis≫
England, 1813. Mr. Dickley, a highly educated gentleman, proposes to his beloved Estrogina. However, a large amount of blood is on Estrogina's dress! Dickley, concerned she is injured, comes to learn a unbelievable secret about women...
"A Friend of Dorothy" (Original Title: A Friend of Dorothy)
98th U.S. Academy Awards, Live-Action Short Film Category Nominee
A debut film by an actor who appeared in 'Harry Potter'. The loneliness of youth is woven into the story.
Director: Lee Knight
Production Country: UK | Running Time: 21 minutes 27 seconds
≪Synopsis≫
The inheritance recipient of a very ordinary woman
◆ Screening Information
SAMANSA presents World-Renowned Award-Winning Short Film Masterpieces
- Featuring 2026 Academy Award® Winners and Nominees -
[Special Website]
https://lp.samansa.com/awards-2026
[Screening Venues]
・Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho
・Shimokita - Ekimae - Cinema 'K2'
Release Date: From May 1st (Friday)
・Cineka Omori
Release Date: From May 15th (Friday)
*Live-action and animation categories are not in any specific order.
*Detailed screening times will be announced later on each theater's website, SAMANSA's official social media, and the special website.
[Ticket Information]
Admission Fee: Regular theater prices
*The application of senior discounts, student discounts, member discount services, etc., will be subject to each theater's regulations. Please check each theater's official website for details.
Ticket Sales: Available through each theater's online ticket reservation system and at theater box offices.
*Details on sales start times and purchase methods will be subject to each theater's regulations. Please check each theater's official website for details.
*"Academy Awards®" is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.), and this project is not sponsored, supported, or approved by the organization.
■ The Future of Cinema is Here. The Culture of "Theatrical Release of Short Films," Established in Europe and America, Comes to Japan.
In the United States, annually during the Academy Award season, an omnibus screening titled "Oscar Nominated Short Films" by ShortsTV is extensively rolled out across hundreds of screens in the U.S. and Canada, consistently achieving success. This style of "watching short films in cinemas" is not just a screening; as director Taika Waititi praises it as "a special place where stories can be told with unparalleled creative freedom," it has become established as a culture demonstrating new possibilities for cinema. SAMANSA is launching to fully introduce this global trend to Japan. Bringing world-class short films, previously only viewable at some film festivals, to Japanese cinemas as part of daily life. Through the theatrical release of nine films, including the 98th Academy Award® winner "Two People Exchanging Saliva" and "The Pearl's Tear and the Girl," SAMANSA aims to elevate short films in Japan to a "new standard of cinematic experience."
◆ Screened Works - Live-Action Category (No specific order) -
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" (Original Title: Two People Exchanging Saliva)
98th Academy Awards, Live-Action Short Film Category Winner
An unusual short film by a Romanian director who is also an art historian and a MoMA-collected artist.
Directors: Nathalie Musteata / Alexandru Sin
Production Countries: France, USA | Running Time: 36 minutes 15 seconds
≪Synopsis≫
In a society where kissing leads to execution, people shop by the number of "slaps on the cheek" instead of money. Unfortunate Angie encounters a bright and free-spirited female clerk at a department store, and is strongly drawn to her through repeated impulse purchases. Despite knowing it is forbidden, the two grow closer, but their relationship is suspected by a jealous colleague...
"Jane Austen's Period Drama" (Original Title: Jane Austen's Period Drama)
98th U.S. Academy Awards, Live-Action Short Film Category Nominee
A witty comedy born from the sensibility aspiring to opera and the craft of filmmaking.
Directors: Julia Ax / Steve Pinder
Production Country: USA | Running Time: 12 minutes 41 seconds
≪Synopsis≫
England, 1813. Mr. Dickley, a highly educated gentleman, proposes to his beloved Estrogina. However, a large amount of blood is on Estrogina's dress! Dickley, concerned she is injured, comes to learn a unbelievable secret about women...
"A Friend of Dorothy" (Original Title: A Friend of Dorothy)
98th U.S. Academy Awards, Live-Action Short Film Category Nominee
A debut film by an actor who appeared in 'Harry Potter'. The loneliness of youth is woven into the story.
Director: Lee Knight
Production Country: UK | Running Time: 21 minutes 27 seconds
≪Synopsis≫
The inheritance recipient of a very ordinary woman