SAMANSA Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yuichi Iwanaga) announces the launch of four new short films—'The Last One Night,' 'Postmortem Mary,' 'Apricot,' and 'When You Hear That Sound'—on its short film streaming service 'SAMANSA' starting Friday, July 10, 2026.

From a heartwarming drama about a chef striving at a Michelin one-star restaurant to a shocking, never-ending 'Kokkurisan' horror, enjoy a wide range of genres this week.

◆ New Releases

① 'The Last One Night'

Synopsis:

Kevin intends to enjoy a casual one-night relationship. However, his date, Jeanne, possesses a unique ability—she can transform into the form of his fantasies. Pleasing him with his ideal image and stimulating his desires, she seems to fulfill all his wishes. But the blade of transformation gradually begins to reveal a strange and unsettling direction...

Director: Béatrice Blais & Pierre-Luc Gosselin

Runtime: 9 minutes 32 seconds

② 'Postmortem Mary'

Synopsis:

1840s. A mother and daughter make a living by taking 'post-mortem photographs' of the deceased. The ailing mother worries about her own death and hopes her daughter Mary, who fears dead bodies, can become independent. One day, at a farmhouse they visit, Mary is entrusted with a solo photography session by her mother, who comforts the bereaved family. The girl who died in an accident happens to share the same name as Mary. Amid fear, she does everything she can to make the deceased girl appear 'alive'...

Director: Joshua Long

Runtime: 9 minutes 58 seconds

③ 'Apricot'

Synopsis:

At a Michelin one-star restaurant where the star's survival is at stake, young chef Rose, who has worked there for two years, attempts to directly negotiate a promotion with the head chef. Suddenly, a crisis arises—ingredients fail to arrive. In a rush, she must compete with a colleague within one hour for a menu slot using pigeon meat as a substitute. How will she face this trial, torn between pressure and self-doubt?

Director: Frank Frascella

Runtime: 28 minutes 38 seconds

④ 'When You Hear That Sound'

Synopsis:

A video call with an old friend brings back memories of a summer vacation 15 years ago. Three boys sneak into an abandoned school at night. As they move through pitch-black corridors, footsteps and eerie bell sounds—unlike their own—chase from behind. Trembling in fear, they finally reach their destination: the 'forbidden classroom'—where they begin playing 'Kokkurisan'...

Director: Ryota Kondo

Runtime: 27 minutes 58 seconds

◆ Staff Comment

This week’s staff pick is 'The Last One Night,' a tightly packed thriller condensed into just nine and a half minutes. As co-directors Pierre and Béatrice—real-life partners—say, 'Humor and horror are two sides of the same coin.' The film blends fast-paced VFX transformation scenes with a creeping sense of dread born from women’s sorrow and anger, making it the ultimate psychological thriller. Actress Mia Lapierre delivers a brilliant performance as Jeanne, the woman who manipulates the protagonist, seamlessly shifting between multiple characters—adding a surreal realism to the film.

You’ll definitely want to talk about it after watching. Why not cool off this weekend with SAMANSA’s exquisite short films?

◆ About SAMANSA

SAMANSA is a streaming service dedicated exclusively to short films.

For ¥490 per month, it offers carefully curated works from around the world, currently streaming over 500 short films (as of October 2025). With runtimes under 30 minutes, the service enables movie experiences tailored to commutes and everyday spare moments.

By directly licensing content from creators worldwide, SAMANSA delivers diverse films unavailable on other domestic VOD platforms. It aims to create a new culture where movies are more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Service Name: Short Film Streaming Service 'SAMANSA'

Web App Site: https://samansa.com/

iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/samansa/id1600425602

Android (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samansa

◆ Company Overview

Company Name: SAMANSA Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Okazaki Building 603, 2-14-13 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

President & CEO: Yuichi Iwanaga

Co-Representative: Takayuki Tohyama

Founded: April 2021

Business: Operation of the short film streaming service 'SAMANSA'

Corporate Site: https://about.samansa.com/

Service URL: https://lp.samansa.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@samansajp/about

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samansajp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samansajpn/

X: https://x.com/samansajpn/

X (PR): https://x.com/samansajpn_pr

Contact: info@samansa.com

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: New Product
  • Products / services: SAMANSA