SSFF & ASIA 2026 Award Ceremony Guest Lineup Announced! Featuring Akihiro Nishino for the World Premiere of the Live-Action 'Poupelle of Chimney Town', plus Kohei Shoji, Kumi Sasaki, and more.

The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2026, one of the largest international short film festivals accredited by the U.S. Academy Awards, has announced additional guests for its award ceremony on Wednesday, June 10, and has begun selling additional tickets for the previously sold-out event. The ceremony, which will announce the Grand Prix (George Lucas Award) and other category winners eligible for next year's Academy Awards, will feature this year's jury members including director Yuya Ishii, Miki Mizuno, and Kazuki Kitamura. Additionally, guests include Kohei Shoji, star of the Tokyo-produced short film 'So Far Away, So Close'; Kumi Sasaki (former captain of Hinatazaka46) and Shun Aoyama and Masaki Shioda of the idol group SHOW-WA as project presenters for Nihon Chokuhan; Akihiro Nishino, creator of 'Poupelle of Chimney Town' for the special screening of the live-action version; and director Naomi Kawase from the Nara International Film Festival. Tickets are now back on sale.