Cannes' Fresh Talent Resists Oblivion, Uncertainty of Existence, Conscience, End of Love — "Cannes May: The Magic of Short Films" Reflects a "Transformed Everyday Life" Under Global Attention, Streaming Continuously from May 6th (Wednesday) on BSSTO

The online theater specializing in short films, "BSSTO", will once again serve as an online satellite venue for the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026 this year, presenting a special feature coinciding with the festival period. Every May, filmmakers worldwide turn their eager eyes to Cannes in Southern France. Within that massive festival, it is the short film section that carves out the purest cinematic impulse. BSSTO will present "Cannes May: The Magic of Short Films", a carefully selected lineup of exquisite works that have been officially selected (Official Selection), awarded, and nominated at the Cannes International Film Festival. URL: https://sst-online.jp/magazine/19289/ The films to be distributed include 'I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face', which struggles to engrave the memory of a loved one before their death; 'The Water Murmurs', a Palme d'Or winner that confronts the "uncertainty" of the world through the scenery of a hometown sinking due to a meteorite impact; 'VULTURES', an absurd drama where a choice at an accident scene leads to an indelible "guilt"; and 'It Was Good That You Died', which quietly observes the end of an irreparable relationship. All of these works are capable of vividly redefining our preconceived notions at a speed unattainable by feature films. They are moments of truth, truly magical, etched by world-standard talent. With the refreshing breeze of May, please witness the overwhelming passion and impact released from the screen. *Each film will be available for three months. You can watch them for free after user registration. Cannes May: The Magic of Short Films Streaming starts May 6th Winner of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or. 82 days of silence, until the last touch of your face— 'I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face' Director: Sameh Alaa / Egypt / Drama / 2020 / 14:54 After 82 days of separation, Adam embarks on a arduous journey to reunite with his loved one. Even if any difficulties await him, he moves forward, supported only by that feeling—a story of a man who believes in love, memory, and reunion. This film, in 2020, was the first by an Egyptian director to win the Palme d'Or in the short film category at the Cannes International Film Festival. The director states, "The audience's imagination is always stronger than the images presented," leaving the interpretation of why the two were separated—whether due to "prejudice in Egyptian society" or something like "isolation due to a pandemic"—to the audience. Many film critics regard this work as a sharp critique of "social order that does not tolerate youth emotions and domestic repression." Streaming starts May 13th Winner of the 2022 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or. Before the world sinks into water, seeking the last memories etched in particles. 'The Water Murmurs' Director: Jianying Chen / China / Drama / 2022 / 14:59 Due to a meteorite impact, an underwater volcano erupts, and a town along the river faces the risk of submersion. The day before evacuation, Nian encounters townspeople on her way to say goodbye to her childhood friend, engraving the memories of her disappearing hometown into her heart. This film was shot using both 35mm film and digital. By selectively using "granularity" to convey the scent of the sea breeze and the texture of rock surfaces, and "crisp imagery" to vividly capture distant horizons and landscapes, it balances the poignancy and beauty of a world heading towards its end. The color design is based on blue and green, and critics have described it as "Tarkovsky-esque (serene and poetic visual beauty)." It is said to have been inspired by "Les Bijoux" (The Jewels) from Charles Baudelaire's poetry collection 'Les Fleurs du Mal'. The sensual yet melancholic atmosphere of this poem links with the protagonist's feelings as she leaves the town. Streaming starts May 20th Selected for the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival Short Film Competition, winner of the UniFrance Short Film Award. 15 minutes that expose the true nature of humanity. 'VULTURES' Director: Dian Weys / South Africa, France / Drama / 2025 / 15:24 At the scene of a traffic accident. While the police and ambulance have not yet arrived, a short-tempered tow truck driver desperately tries to protect the wrecked car. However, his actions lead to unexpected complications... The director spent six years rewriting the 15-minute script about 25 times to complete it. He stated that the short film format was very challenging for writers, forcing them to adopt a "concise" and "economical approach." The film focuses more on the "situation immediately after violence occurred" rather than explicit violence itself.