ANIAFF Launches in Japan with ASIFA-Hollywood and WIA Support
Nagoya, Japan — The animation world is turning its eyes toward Aichi Prefecture this December as the Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival (ANIAFF) launches its first edition from December 12 to 17, 2025. Positioned as a major new platform for the art and industry of animation in Asia, ANIAFF is already drawing attention through its high-profile collaborations with ASIFA-Hollywood and Women in Animation (WIA).
This landmark partnership signals ANIAFF’s ambition to become a world-leading animation festival under its guiding philosophy of “Creators First.”
International Collaboration and Jury Lineup
ASIFA-Hollywood—the largest chapter of the Association Internationale du Film d’Animation and organizer of the Annie Awards™—will be represented on ANIAFF’s Feature Film Competition Jury by Aubry Mintz, the organization’s Executive Director.
“ANIAFF’s mission to advance both the culture and industry of animation worldwide strongly aligns with ASIFA-Hollywood’s,” Mintz said in the official announcement. “I look forward to seeing this international relationship grow and flourish.”
He will be joined by Pénélope Bagieu, acclaimed French author and illustrator of the Brazen graphic novel series, and Shuzo John Shiota, President and CEO of Polygon Pictures, whose production credits include Tron: Uprising and Jibaro from Love, Death & Robots Season 3.
Together, the jury embodies a blend of artistic excellence, international perspective, and industry leadership that sets a strong tone for ANIAFF’s debut year.
Women in Animation in Japan
In collaboration with Women in Animation, ANIAFF will host a dedicated session titled “Women in Animation in Japan.” This special program will highlight the contributions of women in the animation field both domestically and globally, while fostering open dialogue around diversity, inclusion, and equitable representation across animation, VFX, and gaming sectors.
The inclusion of this program positions ANIAFF among a growing movement of festivals prioritizing progressive and representative conversations in animation culture.
A New Hub for Global Animation
Held in the vibrant industrial hub of Nagoya, known as Japan’s “manufacturing capital,” ANIAFF aims to merge the region’s heritage of craftsmanship with the creative spirit of modern animation. The festival will feature international screenings, workshops, conferences, and pitch sessions where creators, producers, and industry professionals can connect and collaborate.
In addition to screenings, ANIAFF will host a Market Function, serving as a cross-border networking space designed to facilitate project development and co-production opportunities—a feature reminiscent of the business hubs at Annecy and other global festivals.
The festival’s competitions are focused on feature-length animated films completed after January 2024, with entries from around the world vying for the Gold Shachi Grand Prize (1,000,000 JPY), the Silver Shachi Jury Prize (500,000 JPY), and the Red Shachi Audience Prize (200,000 JPY).
By centering its program on creator-driven storytelling and international collaboration, ANIAFF positions itself as a bridge between Asia’s fast-growing animation sector and the wider global community.
Building a Future for Animation in Japan
With the involvement of ASIFA-Hollywood and WIA, ANIAFF’s first year already carries significant international weight. The festival’s “Creators First” vision and market-oriented approach suggest a future in which Nagoya may become a new hub for the animation industry—one that not only showcases completed films but also cultivates the next generation of creative partnerships and innovations.
For more information about the festival, visit aniaff.com/en.
Sources:
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ANIAFF Official Site — https://aniaff.com/en/
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FilmFreeway — https://filmfreeway.com/ANIAFF
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Screen Daily — “New Competitive Animation Festival to Launch in Japan”
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Gigazine — “New Animation Festival ANIAFF Announces Competition and Jury”
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Women in Animation — https://womeninanimation.org
