Short Films by Tarantino, SHINee's Onew, and Stephen Curry Nominated! SSFF & ASIA 2026 Announces 'Global Spotlight Award' Finalists

The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2026, an Academy Award-accredited and one of Asia's largest international short film festivals, has announced the final finalists for its 6th annual 'Global Spotlight Award.' This award honors the activities of globally renowned film directors, actors, and artists who use the medium of short film to shed light on important contemporary social issues, new technologies, and creative possibilities. This year's finalists include a never-before-seen episode of 'Kill Bill' by the masterful Quentin Tarantino, which surprised the world by being released within the popular online game 'Fortnite.' Also selected is the latest work from director Sean Baker, who captivated the world last year (2025) by winning five major Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, teaming up with Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. Furthermore, an omnibus horror film starring Onew of SHINee, who boasts unwavering popularity as the prince of K-POP, has also been named, creating an unprecedentedly star-studded lineup. In addition, five gems deserving of the 'global spotlight' have been gathered, transcending genres like sports and literature. These include a documentary co-directed by NBA treasure Stephen Curry and Oscar-winning director Ben Proudfoot, which sharply portrays the behind-the-scenes of the civil rights movement, and a story by the brilliant Charlie Kaufman of 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,' which beautifully sublimates his unique view of life and death. Among the nominated finalists, Charlie Kaufman's 'How to Shoot a Ghost,' Sean Baker's 'SANDIWARA,' and Jong-gyun Park's '4:44: Time of Fear' will be specially screened and streamed at the Tokyo and online venues during the festival. The final GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AWARD will be announced on June 4th, Short Film Day. URL: https://www.shortshorts.org/2026/news-reports/gsa-finalist/ ■ 'How to Shoot a Ghost' Director: Charlie Kaufman / 27:36 / Drama / 2026 / USA Two recently deceased young people meet in the city of Athens, a place imbued with the vibrant presence of the city and the ghosts of history. One is a translator, the other a photographer. Isolated from society in life, they continue to confront the traces of their unfulfilled wishes and mistakes even after death. As they wander the city, they find modest consolation in the harsh yet beautiful nature of existence and its lingering resonance. 'How to Shoot a Ghost' Director: Charlie Kaufman ■ 'Yuki’s Revenge' Director: Quentin Tarantino / 10:00 / 2025 / Animation / U.S.A The masterful Quentin Tarantino had a concept for a 'lost chapter' of 'Kill Bill' that was never brought to the silver screen. That is 'Yuki's Revenge'. 'Yuki’s Revenge' Director: Quentin Tarantino ©Photo:REX/Aflo ■ 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All' Director: Stephen Curry, Ben Proudfoot / 29:00 / 2026 / Documentary / U.S.A. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legal advisor and speechwriter speaks about his sacrifices and new discoveries in the civil rights movement. A work that unravels the behind-the-scenes of a historic era from a personal perspective. 'The Baddest Speechwriter of All' Director: Stephen Curry, Director: Ben Proudfoot ■ '4:44: Time of Fear' Director: Jong-gyun Park / 43:58 / 2024 / Horror / South Korea An omnibus horror with the theme of strange phenomena occurring at 4:44. It became a hot topic as an OTT work distributed in 8 episodes of 4 minutes and 4 seconds each, and was also released as a 44-minute film. '4:44: Time of Fear'