Takumi Saitoh, Yumiri Hanamori, Shogo Hama, and Other Star-Studded Guests Confirmed for SSFF & ASIA 2026 Opening Ceremony!

The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2026, an Academy Awards® accredited and one of Asia's largest international short film festivals, has announced additional guests for its Opening Ceremony, to be held on Monday, May 25th. Among those announced today is Takumi Saitoh, who produced 'Ramen Maro: Where Our Paths Crossed,' a film inspired by a real ramen shop, which is scheduled to be screened at the festival's 'Culinary Program: Food Memories.' Also attending will be Shogo Hama, who starred in 'Just Another Laundry,' the first short film project produced by managers as part of avex management agency's creative project 'ACTORS STAND' vol.2, which will have its world premiere. Furthermore, SSFF & ASIA has decided to present a special award to the TV anime 'World Is Dancing,' based on Kazuto Mihara's original work, which has garnered significant attention as a groundbreaking fusion of 'traditional performing arts x anime,' for its contribution to promoting the appeal of short films globally and spreading its culture. To commemorate the award, Yumiri Hanamori, the lead voice actress, is also confirmed to attend the Opening Ceremony. This work is also scheduled for a world premiere screening and a staff talk event on Saturday, June 6th, from 17:30. The festival will kick off by showcasing 'the present of short films' with a diverse array of personalities. From left: Takumi Saitoh, Yumiri Hanamori, Shogo Hama The Opening Ceremony, marking the start of screenings in Tokyo, will be held at 'MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives,' an experimental cultural museum designed by architect Kengo Kuma, located within the newly opened TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY in March. Following the red carpet ceremony, the main ceremony will welcome a diverse range of guests, including festival president Tetsuya Bessho, and feature announcements and presentations of various awards such as the TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY AWARD and J-WAVE SOUND OF CINEMA AWARD, new project announcements, and short film screenings. *Event content and screening works are subject to change. ◆Date: Monday, May 25, 2026 Red Carpet Ceremony Doors Open/Start Time 14:30/Expected End Time 15:00 | 16:00 Opening Ceremony Doors Open/Start Time 16:00/Expected End Time 16:30 | 18:30 ◆Venue: Red Carpet MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives Park Terrace Ceremony Same as above, Box1000 ◆Tickets: Red Carpet + Ceremony Set Ticket: 7,000 yen, Ceremony Ticket: 5,000 yen *Advance sales only URL https://l-tike.com/cinema/mevent/?mid=782757 <'Ramen Maro: Where Our Paths Crossed' screened in the 'Culinary Program: Food Memories'> Produced by Takumi Saitoh 'Ramen Maro: Where Our Paths Crossed' Director: Takumi Koyama / 23:59 / 2025 / Japan Girls who spent their suffocating youth during the COVID-19 pandemic in junior high. Finding small lights even in closed-off days, four friends who forged a friendship gather at a ramen shop to fulfill a promise after graduation. Today, various people visit 'Ramen Maro' in search of unique ramen. Why do they eat ramen in this place? Left: Director Takumi Koyama Right: Hiroshi Asahina In addition to Takumi Saitoh, Director Takumi Koyama, screenwriter Koji Hashimoto, and actor/owner of Ramen Maro, Hiroshi Asahina, will also appear at the Opening Ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, cast members Ririka, Kaetsu Ohno, and Kokoro Ichimanda will appear on the red carpet. <'Just Another Laundry' screened in the 'NEO JAPAN Program'> avex management agency ACTORS STAND vol.2 First World Premiere 'Just Another Laundry' Director: Satoshi Kimura / 25:07 / 2026 / Japan