Mamoru Hosoda Named First Featured Director in ANIAFF's 'Director Focus' Program
Tokyo, Japan – July 31, 2025 – The Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival (ANIAFF) announced today that acclaimed animation director Mamoru Hosoda from Studio Chizu will be the first featured director in its new “Director Focus” program. This signature event of the festival will spotlight distinguished directors from Japan and around the world by showcasing their most celebrated works. ANIAFF will take place from December 12 to 17 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
“Mamoru Hosoda is now one of the world's leading film directors," said Artistic Director Tadashi Sudo, reflecting on the decision to feature Hosoda in the festival's inaugural edition. “By taking a look at his works, we can explore the current landscape of animated visual expression and glimpse its future destination.”
From his breakout successes to his latest critically acclaimed works, Hosoda has left a lasting mark in the world of animation. ANIAFF has confirmed two of his films to be screened:
*The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), which launched him into international acclaim
*BELLE (2021), a box office sensation and his highest-grossing film to date
His most recent feature, Scarlet, has also garnered attention as an official selection at both the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.
“Director Focus” is just the beginning of ANIAFF's diverse programming lineup. Additional curated sections include “Studio Focus,” highlighting leading animation studios, as well as “Cutting Edge,” spotlighting bold, genre-pushing works for devoted fans and industry insiders.
More films and events will be announced in the coming months. Stay tuned for more updates!
Call for Entries!
ANIAFF is currently accepting submissions for its Feature Film Competition. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their animated feature films for consideration. The deadline for entries is September 30, at 11:59 p.m. (Japan Time). For more details, please visit the ANIAFF official website. (https://aniaff.com/en/)
About ANIAFF
Held in Aichi Prefecture's city of Nagoya, known as “the manufacturing capital of Japan,” ANIAFF aims to be the world's leading animation film festival that contributes to the development and promotion of the animation culture and industry by globally disseminating a great number of animated works to the international market with a fundamental concept of “Creators First”. The festival's functions are not just limited to introducing diverse films through screenings; creators and producers from across borders will gather in Nagoya for networking through various talks, conferences, and workshops. For the festival to become a hub for the animation industry veterans and up-and-coming talents alike, ANIAFF will provide a venue where pitch meetings can take place during the festival, something akin to MIFA in Annecy.
“Mamoru Hosoda is now one of the world's leading film directors," said Artistic Director Tadashi Sudo, reflecting on the decision to feature Hosoda in the festival's inaugural edition. “By taking a look at his works, we can explore the current landscape of animated visual expression and glimpse its future destination.”
From his breakout successes to his latest critically acclaimed works, Hosoda has left a lasting mark in the world of animation. ANIAFF has confirmed two of his films to be screened:
*The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), which launched him into international acclaim
*BELLE (2021), a box office sensation and his highest-grossing film to date
His most recent feature, Scarlet, has also garnered attention as an official selection at both the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.
“Director Focus” is just the beginning of ANIAFF's diverse programming lineup. Additional curated sections include “Studio Focus,” highlighting leading animation studios, as well as “Cutting Edge,” spotlighting bold, genre-pushing works for devoted fans and industry insiders.
More films and events will be announced in the coming months. Stay tuned for more updates!
Call for Entries!
ANIAFF is currently accepting submissions for its Feature Film Competition. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their animated feature films for consideration. The deadline for entries is September 30, at 11:59 p.m. (Japan Time). For more details, please visit the ANIAFF official website. (https://aniaff.com/en/)
About ANIAFF
Held in Aichi Prefecture's city of Nagoya, known as “the manufacturing capital of Japan,” ANIAFF aims to be the world's leading animation film festival that contributes to the development and promotion of the animation culture and industry by globally disseminating a great number of animated works to the international market with a fundamental concept of “Creators First”. The festival's functions are not just limited to introducing diverse films through screenings; creators and producers from across borders will gather in Nagoya for networking through various talks, conferences, and workshops. For the festival to become a hub for the animation industry veterans and up-and-coming talents alike, ANIAFF will provide a venue where pitch meetings can take place during the festival, something akin to MIFA in Annecy.
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