Tokyo, Japan – The prestigious Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)—Asia’s largest short film celebration and an Academy Awards® qualifying festival—has officially concluded its 2025 edition, culminating in a high-profile awards ceremony on June 17.
The festival recognized outstanding filmmakers across live-action, non-fiction, and animation categories. Among the highest honors:
George Lucas Award (Grand Prix): Pantyhose, directed by Fabian Münsterhjelm, received top honors for its innovative storytelling and craft.
Additional awards were granted in:
Live-action Competition
Non-Fiction Competition
Animation Competition
These awardees now become eligible for consideration in the Academy Awards® short film categories .
The winners emerged from a rich lineup of shorts showcased across Tokyo venues, including the Harajuku/Omotesando area, and streamed online to international audiences .
Notably, Pantyhose stood out for its compelling narrative and creative direction, capturing jurors’ attention and clinching the Grand Prix. The festival’s dedication to amplifying fresh voices resonated in the awards—across live-action, animation, and non-fiction categories—underscoring its global reach and influence.
Academy Recognition: SSFF & ASIA retains its status as one of Asia’s few festivals offering a pathway to Oscar eligibility
Global Participation: Over 10,000 entries submitted yearly, reflecting rich diversity in genre and geography .
Titles of Note: Distinct winners in each competition earned ¥600,000 (~$4,000 USD)—with standout work in Japan, Asia International, and International categories, plus Cinema Tokyo awards.
Across multiple Tokyo venues and online platforms, the festival drew thousands of attendees, including filmmakers, critics, and short film enthusiasts Audiences and panelists alike highlighted the festival’s high professionalism, smooth logistics, and strong post-screening engagements.
Many praised its unique blend of international competition and branded short film initiatives, reflecting visionary programming that nurtures creative exchange .
As SSFF & ASIA 2025 concludes, awarded filmmakers now prepare for broader festival circuits and industry attention. The Grand Prix winners—including Pantyhose—are expected to feature prominently in Oscar shortlists.
From June 26 to July 5, 2025, many of the winning titles will tour nationally during the festival’s National & International Tour, extending their audience reach.
