25th DigiCon6 ASIA Summary
Participating Regions
Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand
Schedule
25th DigiCon6 ASIA Awards ceremony
October 7, 2023 at AKASAKA BLITZ Studio in JAPAN
Judges
Shuzo John SHIOTA President & CEO, Polygon Pictures Inc. profile
ITOH Yuichi Animation Director/ Professor at Graduate School of Film and New Media Tokyo University of the Arts, Animation Department profile
ANDO Kohei Film-maker, Professor Emeritus of Waseda University profile
MATSUMOTO Noriko Producer /dwarf studios profile
Neco Lo che-ying(HONG KONG) Animation Director/Producer/Author Secretary General of the Hong Kong animation industry and cultural association profile
Han Byung A(KOREA) Animation Director profile
TAN Chui Mui(MALAYSIA) Director, Screenwriter, Producer profile
Shuzo John SHIOTA
President & CEO, Polygon Pictures Inc.
Shuzo John Shiota was raised in the United States and is a graduate of the Sophia University Faculty of Law, Department ofInternational Legal Studies. After joining the Nippon Steel Corporation in 1991, Shiota went on to participate in the launch of Dream Pictures Studio in 1997. He moved to Polygon two years later and in 2003 assumed the position of President and CEO. As studio head Shiota has spearheaded efforts to cultivate Polygon's overseas presence, helping the studio to become a leading developer of TV series and content targeted at the foreign market.
Shiota has also served as a judge at major Japanese and international film festivals including Prix Ars Electronica (AUS), SIGGRAPH (U.S.) and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (France). In 2008, he was selected as one of the "25 Toon Titans of Asia'' by popular industry publication Animation Magazine. He also presided as conference chair for SIGGRAPH Asia in December 2021, and in 2022 received a Special Achievement Award at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival. His hobbies include playing in a band.
Message
The greatness of DigiCon6 to me, is being able to come across passionate pieces of work from around the globe by creators who are relatively unknown as of now and being able to meet these creators in person at the awards ceremony. I have been in touch with many of these creators to this day and have had occasions where these connections led directly to work. DigiCon6 is currently one of the prominent film competitions that take place in Asia, but it has a unique humanly affectionate feel to it. Having worked in this industry for a long time, I perceive connections with other people as an important aspect. I look forward to meeting you all.
ITOH Yuichi
Animation Director/ Professor at Graduate School of Film and New Media Tokyo University of the Arts, Animation Department
Born in 1962. President of I.TOON. He is very active in many fields especially, his animations and character designs using various techniques focusing on clay.
One of his masterpieces, 29th Anniversary ""KNYACKI!"" (NHK educational television), ”PON DE LION”(Mister Donut’s TV commercial), Original short animation based in Yokohama harbor,“HARBOR TALE”(Awarded best short animation, etc. at ZLIN FILM FESTIVAL), designed “Garden Bear” (Official character for Garden Necklace YOKOHAMA 2017) and more.
International Jury at the 18th Hiroshima International Animation Festival.
A member of the ASIFA-JAPAN. A member of the board of directors of the Japan Animation Association.
Professor at Graduate School of Film and New Media Tokyo University of the Arts, Animation Department.
Message
In this time where COVID-19 has had a huge impact on humans for the past years and many historical film contests and festivals in Japan have concluded, the might to advance through this insoluble chaos seems to be the only glimmer that lights the way. DigiCon6 is a lighthouse that gently but powerfully shines for the film creators of Asia. I hope creators who live in this time where the storm has not fully passed will express what they have perceived through their films. Comedic, emotional, and sadness. I’m prepared to accept anything that comes my way! I look forward to soaking the light that the pieces of work from all over Asia omit.
ANDO Kohei
Film-maker, Professor Emeritus of Waseda University
Ando, who in his youth worked with Shuji Terayama who was very famous poet, author and film director in Japan, is known for his refined and creative expressivity as a filmmaker. He is a global pioneer to incorporate Hi-vision techniques in film making. His many films have received numerous international awards, including the Silver Maile Award at the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Grand Prize at the International Electronic Cinema Festival in Montreux etc.. His works are included in the collections at major art museums and film libraries in Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and elsewhere. In both 2001 and 2005, his retrospective exhibition had been held in Paris.
Message
I am excited and extremely honored to be able to participate in DigiCon6 Asia Awards, an amazing film festival, as an international judge.
I can’t hold in my excitement because at this festival, we get to face various cultural values that transcend country, race, and gender, and get to witness the magic of film-making unfold right in front of our eyes. There will surely be unique findings that will indefinitely influence humans all over the world.
I am already filled with so much hope.
Here we go, the event is about to start!
MATSUMOTO Noriko
Producer /dwarf studios
Noriko Matsumoto is a producer of animation films and the head producer of dwarf studios.
She started her career as a TV commercial producer. After producing both ‘DOMO’ (1998) and the exhibition showcasing what goes on behind the scenes of animation films, that was the trigger for creating ‘Komaneko’ by Goda, Domo’s creator, she shifted her field to the animation and character industry and she supported Goda when he started the studio dwarf.
Matsumoto was one of the first producers in Japan to work with international streaming services, bringing the superior quality stop-motion techniques that dwarf is renowned for to an even wider audience. Highlights of her recent productions include the series ‘Rilakkuma and Kaoru’
in 2019, and ‘Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure’ in 2022 with Netflix.
Always looking for something new and interesting, she launches projects that push the boundaries of stop-motion and is a producer who has been elevating not only dwarf but the Japanese industry as a whole.
In 2023, she successfully crowdfunded a sensational stop-motion pilot film 'HIDARI’ which has been shown at the cinema even though it’s just a pilot film! The next challenge is to turn it into a full-length feature.
Message
We all know that making films is super fun but showing them and hearing what people think about them will sometimes be tough. However, don’t let that stop you showing your work. There’s no point making a film if you don't let anyone see it. The feedback and applause you get from your audience will inspire you to keep working and moving to the next level. Congrats! I'm looking forward to seeing your work, and thank you for submitting it!
Neco Lo che-ying(HONG KONG)
Animation Director/Producer/Author Secretary General of the Hong Kong animation industry and cultural association
Neco Lo che Ying is an experienced animation producer and director who began working as an independent animator in 1977. Most of his animation won awards at the Hong Kong Independent Short Film Festival (now IFVA) and were shown at film festivals worldwide. This year, Neco’s animation is collected by the M+ museum in Hong Kong as permanent collection. He also worked as animation designer at Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) between 1978 and 1993, and was responsible for numerous educational animation and opening titles. Since the 80s, he has written extensively about local and world animation as well as teaching animation in various universities. In recent years, Neco has been a tireless campaigner for Hong Kong animation, and has curated a number of exhibitions on the history of Hong Kong and Taiwanese animation since 2006. He currently serves as the secretary general of the Hong Kong Animation Industry and Cultural Association and has just published a new book on the current animation field of Hong Kong.
Message
It’s no doubt that DigiCon6 ASIA awards is the most anticipated event in the world of visual creators from all Asian countries.
In this year 2023, once again I have the opportunity to become one of the international jury members of DigiCon6 ASIA, in one hand I will cooperate with other jury members to select the best works of the year, on the other hand I will enjoy all the fantastic new works from Asia especially animation which always give me lots of inspiration.
2023 is a year of changes for DigiCon6 ASIA, I am looking forward to a better and more influential event that is coming soon!
Han Byung A(KOREA)
Animation Director
Han Byung A has produced feature animations, directed short animations, and television series animations, as well as film festival trailers and film openings. Currently writing a scenario for a feature animation. Working at Studio BBul and Ashubia ani production as a director. Some of the recent work and Awards are....
2022 [Cookie Coffee Dosirak]_Director
2022 Seoul International Food Film Festival, Jury Prize / South Korea
[Screening] 2023 Womanimation! Film Festival, Competition / USA
2021 [Bad Buddy]_Director
2023 International festival of animated film "Constantine's gold Coin“
2020 [The End of the Universe]_Director
[Award] 2020 DigiCon6 Asia / Japan 2020 DigiCon6 Asia, Korea Local
Award, Second Prize / South Korea 2020 The 21st Jeonju International Film
Festival(JIFF), Short Film Grand Prize
2019 Movie Theather aniamtion 'Astro Gardener' produce
2013~2015 TV series 'Pao Pao in baobob island’ 52ep on TV
2006 [Everybody Lonely Star]_Director
2008 SIGGRAPH, Excellence award/Japan 2006 IndieAniFest, Grand Prize
2004 [Wild Rose]_Director
2005 Digital Granprix, Best Animation/Japan 2006 InterFilm/Germany
2002 [The Strange Land]_Director
2004 ANIMAMUNDI / Brazil 2004 Annecy International Animated Film
Festival / France 2004 Syracuse International Film Festival
Message
I was invited to and even won an award at DigiCon6 in 2020. I still remember how happy I was to hear the decision made by Director Mr. Inudo Isshin. DigiCon6 is a truly meaningful event for me, and I'm honored to participate in the judging this year. I'm looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere there.
I sincerely hope that DigiCon 6 will be held successfully in 2023
See you in October!
TAN Chui Mui(MALAYSIA)
Director, Screenwriter, Producer
At age of 5, Tan Chui Mui made a small wooden stool. At 8 she drove a pick up truck onto a column. At 9 she printed a children magazine. At 12 she finished reading an Encyclopedia. At 17 she has a column in a student weekly paper. At 21 she got a computer animation degree. At 27 she made her first film Love Conquers All. At 38 she gave birth to a child. At 41 she decided to learn martial arts.
She is a Malaysian filmmaker who has won prestigious awards at international film festivals. Her debut feature film, “Love Conquers All” (2006) won the New Currents Awards and FIPRESCI Prize at Busan International Film Festival and the Tiger Award at International Film Festival Rotterdam. She had made numerous short films, which “Everyday Everyday” (2009) won the top prize at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. She has served as jury for many film festivals and mentor for regional filmmaking workshops like BIFF Asian Film Academy, ASEAN-ROK FLY, SGIFF Southeast Asian Film Lab, and Makassar SEA Screen Academy. She also initiated “Next New Wave” to organize workshops for young Malaysian filmmakers. In 2017, she started “SeaShorts Film Festival”, focuses on showing Southeast Asian short films. Her recent film, “Barbarian Invasion” (2021) won the Jury Grand Prix at Shanghai International Film Festival.
Message
I studied computer animation in 2001 and shifted to filmmaking after that. The knowledge and skills I gained during my animation education laid a strong foundation for my filmmaking journey. I am thrilled to discover wonderful animation works by Asian creators through DigiCon6 this time.