J-WAVE SOUND OF CINEMA Award to be Held Again at Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia! Evaluating the Potential of 'Sound' in Short Films
J-WAVE to hold the 'SOUND OF CINEMA Award' at SSFF & ASIA, recruiting listener judges.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 09:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 09:50 (384h 49m after Collected)
Radio station J-WAVE (81.3FM) has been supporting the "Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)", an international short film festival recognized by the U.S. Academy Awards and one of Asia's largest, since 2008. We are now recruiting listener judges for the "J-WAVE SOUND OF CINEMA Award".
This award is a project to evaluate the potential of 'sound' in short films and decide the award-winning works by recognizing short films selected from those submitted to "SSFF & ASIA 2026" where 'sound' such as music, vocals, voices, sound effects, and instruments plays a unique and effective role.
The selected nominated works from "SSFF & ASIA" will be judged by 100 J-WAVE listener judges (※Some film festival executive committee members will also participate in the judging). Applications for listener judges for this award will begin today, March 30th (Monday).
Selected listener judges will be sent viewing links for the candidate films and a judging form at a later date. Additionally, 10 lucky winners will be invited to the "SSFF & ASIA 2026" Opening Ceremony to be held on May 25th (Monday) at the newly opened museum "MoN TAKANAWA" in Takanawa Gateway, where the award-winning works will be announced. Furthermore, this year, all those who participate in the judging and voting will receive a special benefit allowing them to view works from the online venue.
We are looking forward to participation from everyone who "loves short films," "is interested in the sound of movies," or "wants to become a judge at an international film festival."
▼Listener Judge Application Form / Application Deadline: April 9th (Thursday)
https://www.j-wave.co.jp/topics/2604_ssff.htm
【Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026 Overview】
■Festival Director: Tetsuya Bessho
■Festival Dates:
May 25th (Monday) Opening Ceremony
May 26th (Tuesday) - June 9th (Tuesday) Tokyo Venue
June 10th (Wednesday) Award Ceremony
※Online Venue: May 25th (Monday) - June 30th (Tuesday) (Screening programs vary by period.)
■Screening Venues: MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (Box1000, Tatami, Park Terrace)
Akasaka Intercity Conference, Eurospace, WITH HARAJUKU, and others
※Dates and programs vary by venue.
■Tickets: Paid for both screening venues and online venue; some events are free.
Sales begin April 23rd (Thursday) at 14:00~
■Inquiries: info@shortshorts.org
■Official
FAQ
What is the J-WAVE SOUND OF CINEMA Award?
The J-WAVE SOUND OF CINEMA Award is a project within the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) that recognizes short films where 'sound' plays a unique and effective role. It aims to evaluate the potential of sound in short films.
Who can apply to be a listener judge?
Anyone who loves short films, is interested in the sound of movies, or wants to become a judge at an international film festival can apply.
How many listener judges will be selected?
100 listener judges will be selected through a lottery.
What are the benefits for selected listener judges?
Selected judges will receive viewing links for candidate films and a judging form. They will also be entered into a lottery to win an invitation to the SSFF & ASIA 2026 Opening Ceremony. Additionally, all participants who judge and vote will receive a benefit to view films from the online venue.
What is the application deadline for listener judges?
The application deadline is April 9th (Thursday).
When and where will SSFF & ASIA 2026 be held?
The Opening Ceremony is on May 25th (Monday), the Tokyo venue runs from May 26th (Tuesday) to June 9th (Tuesday), and the Award Ceremony is on June 10th (Wednesday). The online venue runs from May 25th (Monday) to June 30th (Tuesday). Venues include MoN Takanawa, Akasaka Intercity Conference, Eurospace, and WITH HARAJUKU.