Japan»

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 of International 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 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 virus, war, heat waves. The list of deeply troubling developments is endless. My curiosity is aroused, and I am eager to see how you have digested these phenomena and sublimated them into expressions that only you can make. I also believe that such expressions have the power to free our agonized minds, as we are confronted with the same phenomena, it resonates and produces empathy. It is precisely in times like these that we need your works.

ITOH Yuichi Animation Director 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 COVID19 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.

NOMURA Tatsutoshi Director/Animator/Professor Born in 1964. Tatsutoshi joined ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC. in 1987. After he worked as a director for commercials, he created original animations applying different types of methods. These include Fuji Television’s “STRAY SHEEP” and NHK’s “Jam the HOUSNAIL.” Tatsutoshi has also been involved in creating commercials, picture books, illustrations and exhibit visuals.
He has been teaching animation at his alma mater Tama Art University, Department of Graphic Design since 2011. A member of the board of directors of the Japan Animation Association. Message
The ferocity of COVID has come to an end while various interactions and activities that have been divided have gradually recovered. However, we have yet to know the future of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Films that have been created in various countries and viewpoints reflect the messages and emotions aimed towards these events. Films that illuminate this era, films filled with firm individuality, films that challenge unprecedented methods, and much more, what films will I be able to see this year? I am excited to see films that go beyond the judges’ imaginations!

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!

INUDO Isshin Film Director Born in 1960. He started producing independent films while he was in high school. After graduating university he worked as a TV commercial director/planner and was recognized with numerous awards for advertising. In 1997, his first feature film Futari ga Shabetteru. (1997) won the Film Director's Association New Face Award.
Since then, he has actively directed works such as Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish (2003), La Maison de Himiko (2005), The Floating Castle (2012), Moving Daimyo! (2019), Bucket List (2019), The Unnamable Dance (2022). Message
Being a judge at DigiCon6 is fun. This is because I get to see fresh and interesting pieces of work. And, sometimes, ones that surprise me. When I am surprised, I feel the most joy.

HIGUCHI Shinji Film Director Higuchi was starting his career in 1984, working on special effects on “Godzilla”. Winning Special Mention at Japan Academy Film Prize as special effect director on “Heisei Gamera Series” He is actively working on live-action, special effects, animation, CG, etc. As a director, “Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean” (2005), “Sinking of Japan”(2006), etc. He won the best director at Academy Film Prize for “The Floating Castle” (2012) co-director with Isshin Inudo. He was working on the “EVANGELION” as a storyboard director. “Shin Godzilla” (2016) marked box office success with more than 80 billion yen. the latest film,“Shin Ultraman” was released in May 2022.

Back to Summary