The 3rd Niigata International Animation Film Festival kicked off on March 15, 2025, at the Niigata City Plaza, marking another milestone for this unique event. Held until March 20, 2025, the festival aims to position Niigata City as one of the global hubs for animation and manga by showcasing both domestic and international talent.
The festival features more than 60 works, including 12 entries competing for long-form animation awards. The opening ceremony brought together various dignitaries, including festival director Nobuichiro Inoue, who expressed with excitement, "I feel the attention from around the world this year. There are many high-level submissions from various countries." Following his remarks, Niigata Prefecture Vice Governor Yasuyuki Suzuki acknowledged the city's long-standing reputation for producing influential manga and animation creators.
After Suzuki's speech, the competition jury, which includes notable figures such as Christine Panushka—a renowned animator and educator from the U.S.—spoke about the festival's significance. Panushka emphasized, "Thank you for delivering your wonderful works as gifts. For those new to the animation industry, welcome; this is truly a unique and special industry."
The jury chair, Manuel Cristobal, director of the Seville European Film Festival, also shared his passion for Japanese animation. He stated, "If you love animation, you will fall in love with Japanese animation. Being here is a wonderful opportunity thanks to the embassy and the festival organizers. Thank you for having me."
During the opening ceremony, the winners of two prestigious awards were announced. The Ogawa Hiroshi Award, which recognizes excellence in animation studios, was awarded to Shin-Ei Animation, known for titles like Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan. The Teshigahara Hiroshi Award recognized outstanding technical staff, awarded to animation artist Kiyotaka Oshiyama, animator Toshiyuki Inoue, sound director Eriko Kimura, and musician Yuki Hayashi for their exceptional contributions to the field.
The festival features special programs and screenings to engage both the industry and the public. Following the ceremony, Mamoru Oshii’s film Innocence (2004) was screened, which showcased the festival's commitment to honoring influential works within the animation sphere. This year's retrospective will also highlight the works of Satoshi Kon, who passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 46.
Throughout the festival, audience members can expect various events, including all-night screenings and forums discussing the future of animation. Niigata City aims to continue building on its reputation as Asia's largest animation film festival, attracting around 3,000 professionals involved with animation and manga production.
With the goal of drawing attention to Niigata's unique cultural contributions, this festival offers filmmakers, educators, and budding animators the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas. The focus on long-form international competition continues to be the festival's distinct feature, allowing it to stand out on the global stage.
The Niigata International Animation Film Festival is organized by the Niigata International Animation Film Festival Executive Committee and will run until March 20, 2025. This initiative is part of the broader ambition to establish Niigata as a focal point for animation culture and industry, enhancing its role as both a creative and commercial hub for animated works.