J-Horror Master Goes AI: Academy Awards®-Qualifying SSFF & ASIA 2026 Autumn Unveils Generative AI Showcase and Cannes-Linked Talent

News provided by

Committee for Short Shorts Film Festival

Oct 22, 2026, 08:36 ET

TOKYO, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA), one of Asia's largest international short film festivals accredited by the Academy Awards®, today announced major highlights for its upcoming Autumn Film Festival, taking place from November 5 to 22, 2026.

Unveiling the core special programs for this autumn, this latest release spotlights the full lineup for its cutting-edge "Generative AI x Short Film" showcases. The program is headlined by a World Premiere from acclaimed J-Horror writer/director Ryuta Miyake (The Complex, Ju-On series) created with AI platform TOPVIEW, alongside global AI selections from CapCut and TOKYO STORIES season 2, an innovative project presented by leading Japanese production company TYO featuring 26 top creators.

Connecting Japanese creators with the global market, SSFF & ASIA will host a special industry talk session featuring video participation from Florian Fernandez, head of Cannes Film Festival's Short Film Corner | Rendez-vous Industry. The session highlights 6 emerging Japanese directors-Peter Clay, Masashi Sogawa, Takeshi Tanaka, Yuichiro Nakata, Hiromi Nakane, and Yuria Matsushita-who will pitch their trailers and discuss strategies for international career growth.

The festival spotlights a groundbreaking "Generative AI x Short Film" lineup headlined by the World Premiere of PSY DIVER -Episode 1-, directed by acclaimed J-Horror master Ryuta Miyake (The Complex, Ju-On series). Created using TOPVIEW's AI creative platform, the sci-fi thriller explores the deep human subconscious. The program also features two additional World Premieres: CENTER SPOT (dir. Xu Xiang / Singapore) and Proof of Live (dir. NIKO Song Zhuohan / China). On November 8 at kino cinéma Shinjuku, Director Miyake will join an exclusive panel with industry leaders to discuss the future of generative AI in cinematic storytelling.

Further expanding visual storytelling boundaries, SSFF & ASIA introduces two key AI showcases:

TOKYO STORIES Season 2 (Presented by TYO): 26 top creators—including MV director Jun Tamukai and digital artist SAEKO EHARA—reimagine "TOKYO" through a fusion of live-action and AI.
CapCut AI Film Program: Highlights 9 international short films selected from over 100 global submissions, demonstrating how accessible AI tools empower new creators.

Connecting local talent with the global industry, SSFF & ASIA will host a special talk session linked with the Cannes Film Festival's Short Film Corner | Rendez-vous Industry. Featuring video participation from Cannes' Florian Fernandez, six emerging Japanese directors—Peter Clay, Masashi Sogawa, Takeshi Tanaka, Yuichiro Nakata, Hiromi Nakane, and Yuria Matsushita—will pitch their work and discuss international career expansion.

The festival runs physical screenings in Tokyo from Nov. 5 to 8 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography and kino cinéma Shinjuku. Global audiences can stream AI showcases and curated selections worldwide via the Online Grand Theater from Nov. 9 to 22 (Online Passes: $5 Early Bird / $8 Regular).

For more information, visit: https://www.shortshorts.org/2026autumn/en/

About Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)

Founded in 1999 by actor Tetsuya Bessho, SSFF & ASIA is an Academy Awards®-qualifying festival dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers and promoting short film culture globally.

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SOURCE Committee for Short Shorts Film Festival