AI Film Festival Japan 2025 — Program / Schedule
Dates: Nov 2 (Sun) – Nov 3 (Mon, Holiday), 2025 · Venues: Screening (Ticketed) / Main Stage (Free) / Sub-Screen (Ticketed).
Sessions, guests and times are subject to change.
| Time | Screening Venue (Ticketed) | Main Stage (Free) | Sub‑Screen (Ticketed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 | Doors Open & Seating | Doors Open & Seating | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 13:00 | Program A (Nominee Screenings) — ~10 films | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 13:30 | — | Opening Remarks → Opening Film World Premiere “Bones of Yew” — director Toby Hyder on stage |
Panorama Award Screenings |
| 13:50 | Break | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 14:00 | Program B (Nominee Screenings) — ~10 films | Pre‑Talk: “Why an AI Film Festival Now?” — Speaker: Guest: Akihiko SHIRAI, Ph.D. – CEO of AICU Inc., others | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 14:50 | Break | Opening Ceremony — MC: Ikeda; Kurimoto | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 15:00 | Program C (Nominee Screenings) — ~10 films | Session 1: “How Will AI Change Filmmaking?” — Moderator: Aida; Guests: film director(s), Yves Dalbiez（France）, others | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 15:50 | Break | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 16:00 | Program D (Nominee Screenings) — ~10 films | Awards Ceremony — Finalists intro → Winners announced | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 16:50 | Break | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 17:00 | Special Screening – “Bones of Yew” (Invitations) | Award Recipients on Stage | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 18:30 | Screening: Award‑Winning Films | Networking Reception — LED wall shows award‑winning films | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 20:00 | Load‑out Staff | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| Time | Screening Venue (Ticketed) | Main Stage (Free) | Sub‑Screen (TBA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:30 | Doors Open & Seating | Doors Open & Seating | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 10:00 | Program E (Nominee Screenings) — ~10 films | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 10:30 | — | Session 2: “Documentary in the AI Era” — Moderator: Jiang; Guests: Hamano（ex‑NHK Producer）, Nakazawa（Entertainment Lawyer）, Randy Schmidt（FCCJ Vice President） | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 10:50 | Break | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 11:00 | Program F (Nominee Screenings) — ~10 films | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 11:30 | — | Session 3: “How to Make an AI Film (Beginner)” — Moderator: Ikeda & Jiang; Guests: Yamaguchi (Gaumapix), junior high students, others | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 11:50 | Break | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 12:00 | Program G (Nominee Screenings) — ~10 films | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 12:30 | — | Break | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 12:50 | Break | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 13:00 | Screening: Award‑Winning Films | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 13:30 | — | Session 4: “AI in Animation Production” — Moderator: Tsuchiya; Guest: Nakayama（Puri Prince） | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 13:50 | Break | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 14:00 | Focus: Japanese Films | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 15:00 | International Premiere: “MATILDA: The Devil’s Gene” — director Kumiko Endo | Session 5: “The Possibilities of AI” — Moderator: Kurimoto; Guests: Harry Na＋Liu Ruoyi（Trans-N） | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 16:00 | Screening: Award‑Winning Films (additional) | Session 6: “AI Filmmaking Masterclass” — Moderator: Kurimoto; with Kumiko Endo, others | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 17:30 | Closing Film: “2043”World Premiere (Invitaions) | Closing Speech: “2043” — director, Simone Sighinolfi on stage | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 18:00 | Closing Ceremony | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
| 19:00 | Load‑out Staff | — | Panorama Award Screenings |
*Updates will follow as speakers and sub‑screen items are confirmed.
♠ November 2 – 3, 2025
@Tokyo Innovation Base
Featuring more than 70 short films created with AI, across categories such as narrative films, animation and documentary. Includes panels, workshops, and hybrid screenings.
Festival Program Highlights
Opening Ceremony
AI Cinema Screenings (Shorts / Documentaries / Experimental)
Keynote Talks & Panel Discussions
Awards Ceremony
Networking Lounge for Creators & Sponsors
Our festival program is designed to showcase the best in AI-enhanced cinema and to foster discussion about the future of film. Key components include:
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Screenings@Projection Room: A curated selection of feature and short films from Japan and around the world, all exploring themes of AI and creativity. From narrative dramas to experimental animations, we highlight diverse genres and formats.
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Panels & Discussions@Main Stage: Expert-led talks and Q&A sessions on topics like AI ethics in storytelling, new tools for filmmakers, and the impact of technology on art. Industry innovators and academic researchers will share insights and field questions from the audience.
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Award Ceremony@Main Stage: An evening gala where we honor outstanding achievements. Prizes will include Jury Awards for categories such as Best AI Films in each categories, a Best Student Film, and an AI Critics Award. Winners will receive recognition and trophy.
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Accessibility Initiatives: We strive to make the festival inclusive for all attendees. All screening venues are wheelchair accessible, and films will feature closed captioning and language support where possible. Our goal is to remove barriers so everyone can enjoy and engage with the program.