Short filmmakers from across the globe gather for the 3rd Annual Sapporo International Short Film Festival

by Chris MaGee

With all the rushing about from theatre to theatre, the star sightings and the hype surrounding the Toronto International Film Festival it's easy to forget that there may be other film fests taking place right now, in fact there's one going on right now in Sapporo. The 3rd Annual Sapporo International Short Film Festival and Market started today, or yesterday if you've got your clocks set to Japanese time, and runs until September 15th at the Sapporo Toho Plaza and the Theater Kino in Hokkaido. It's programmers have assembled 113 short films from from directors from Thailand, The Netherlands, Germany, the U.S. to name but a few.

Of special interest to fans of Japanese cinema the fest has their National Program made up of 14 shorts from up and coming filmmakers from Japan. As well, the fest is featuring the film "Man and Whale" by Academy Award nominated animator Koji Yamamura, the man who brought us "Atama Yama (Mt. Head)" and "The Country Doctor".

What's really great about the official website for the fest is that it allows you to view clips from each of the films. If you need something to wet your lips for the annual Toronto Japanese Short Film Festival then this is it. (More on this year's TJSFF in the next couple of days. Make sure to check back!)

Thanks to fellow Japanese film blog Nishikata Film Review for the heads up on this story.