The SAPPORO Short Fest held a press conference !
The SAPPORO Short Fest Committee held a press conference and advance-screening in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, on August 6, 2008. The “3rd Annual Sapporo International Short Film Festival (SSF)”, spanning 6 days starting September 10th, explained the festival and screened ten short films.
You can catch the most creative short films in the world.
It’s the third installment of the largest selection of short films with any festival in the country.
In the following article, will introduce some highlights from the press conference. 
Press Conference and Advance-Screening
The length of the festival is one day longer this year, making it 6 days. There will be that many more opportunities to saturate one self in these juicy films gathered from around the world.
In the competition section, 113 of the best were selected out of the 2,336 films that were submitted from 76 countries.
Some uncommon countries such as Belize in Central America and Ecuador in South America were selected for screenings. As was last year, the festival presents an opportunity for the general public to see a side of world cultures not often seen.
From Japan, 2 programs, 14 films will be shown.
In the “Filmmaker Section” in which you can view many films made by one director, 8 directors from 7 countries were nominated. You can see the distinct style of each director by watching each of these 33 films.
The “Children’s Program”, free for pre-school and under children, has increased to two programs this year. The children will have a chance to be the judges in the “Children Judges” event where they choose the films to receive the awards. Stay tuned for the most popular children’s films.
The special programs this year stand out as well.
At the Hokkaido Toyako Summit this July, “Global Environment” was the biggest theme. Following this lead, SSF 2008 will screen 12 short films with this theme, as well as the “SOS Live Earth Short Films”, a series of environmental shorts commissioned by Al Gore and made by famous directors around the world.
The “UK Shorts Program” which features British films is an exciting event. SSF is credited as an official “UK – JAPAN2008” event by the British Council, not an easy thing to achieve. Director Simon Ellis, the recipient of the Grand Prix in the Filmmaker Section last year, will be at the film festival to give talks.
The program “Asian Typhoon”, focusing on Asian films, features short films by famous Korean director Kwak Jae-yong (My Sassy Girl, Cyborg She).
Also, there will be programs from California, Australia, Germany, and the annual “Korean Music Clips” program.
The night of September 13th will never end with the now-traditional “All Night Screening”, starting at midnight and ending at 9:30am.
That’s not all for the nights during SSF. Starting at 2am on the 12th (Fri), the “Late Show” kick starts the event for night time fanatics. “TOKYO ONLY PIC 2008”, directed by Riichiro Mashima, maker of hit movie “Ski Jump Pear” and nominee of the film maker’s section at the 2007 SSF. No doubt the quiet night will be interrupted often by the laughter of the audience.
Many special guests will also attend SSF. Peter Barakan, a judge from the 2006 SSF, and Taeko Onuki, a judge from the 2007 SSF, will be speaking about film, music, and ecology.
Educational forums, talks by international guests, and seminars will also help color in this motley film festival.
The “3rd Annual Sapporo International Short Film Festival” will be held from September 10th (Wed) to the 15th (Mon) at the Sapporo Toho Plaza (Tanuki koji ５chome).
For tickets go to the Pivot Information Counter, Toho Plaza, Theater Kino, 4 Sapporo Play Guide, Lawson Ticket, Ticket Pear, or E-plus.
Don’t miss this exciting event!
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“3rd Annual Sapporo International Short Film Festival” (SAPPORO Short Fest 2008)
Date: September 10th (Wed) ~ 15th (Mon)
Main Venue: Sapporo Toho Plaza (Tanukikoji５chome)
Special Venue: Theater Kino
Market Venue: Event Space EDiT
Seminar Venue: Hokusen Gallery ibory
