6th Okinawa International Movie Festival

 

Award Winners 
 

 

☆Laugh Category Uminchu Prize Grand Prix (Cash Award of 1,000,000 Yen) 

 

ULTRAFAST! SANKINKOTAI
Director: Katsuhide Motoki 

 

<Comment From Director Katsuhide Motoki > 

 

It’s my dream come true that Jidaigeki <Japanese period piece>, a genre deemed commercially difficult, is appreciated like this. I thank all the crew who worked hard under difficult conditions. Okinawa has always encouraged me to go further in my film career, and I consider it as my second home. So it’s such an honor that my film was awarded once again in Okinawa and I want to thank the audience and the citizens of Okinawa. 

 

＊This award reflects the combined results of deliberations by Fan Juries chosen from all over Japan and the audience vote collected at the screening venues in Okinawa. 
 

 

☆Peace Category Uminchu Prize Grand Prix (Cash Award of 1,000,000 Yen) 

 

MISS GRANNY
Director: Hwang Dong-hyeuk 

 

＊This award reflects the combined results of deliberations by Fan Juries chosen from all over Japan and the audience vote collected at the screening venues in Okinawa. 

 

<Comment From Director Hwang Dong-hyeuk > 

 

I was invited to this beautiful place and spend wonderful time with wonderful people. On top of that, I was given this award. I’m so happy to receive it especially because it was an audience award. It has become an unforgettable memory for me. I’m going to continue to make good films and come back to Okinawa again. 
 

 

☆Special Jury Prize / Golden SHISA Award 

 

One Third
Director: Hiroshi Shinagawa 

 

<Comment From Director Hiroshi Shinagawa> 

 

This award belongs to everyone who worked on the film. I hope the audience will see and appreciate the film. 

 

＊Selected by Jury Committee that consists of juries who are active internationally. 
 

 

Comments From Jury Members 

 

Sadao Nakajima, the head of Jury Committee 

 

The diverse selection of the films was impressive and I enjoyed the festival a lot. The quality of the films is high and it took a while to evaluate them. I want to thank you all. With the theme of Laugh and Peace, all films gave me hope for the future of cinema and it was a pleasure for me that One Third won an award. 

 

Gary Tong 

 

After going through the experience here, I thought that if being a juror is a job, I want to do it for the rest of my life. Not only I’m able to watch all the wonderful films from all over the world for free, I have opportunities to meet wonderful professionals in the industry and build network. I sincerely hope that Okinawa International Movie Festival will inspire Japanese and Asian producers to create films that will be appreciated all over the world. 

 

Yoko Narahashi 

 

It was interesting for me that the opinion of the jury was split depending on the generations and the cultural background while we were deliberating. Personally I wasn’t interested in the usual Hollywood style films, and I was pleased to see different kinds of films at the festival. The most hilarious performance came from Kanji Furutachi in Fuku-chan of Fukufuku Flats. He was so funny that I could laugh right now remembering his performance. 

 

Etsuko Higa 

 

I was happy to serve as a juror of Laugh & Peace category. It was fun walking on a red carpet and meet many young people. As far as judging the films, it was difficult because all films were quite good, but One Third was my favorite. It was unique, fresh, and I very much look forward 

 

watching more works by Mr. Shinagawa. And I hope that the festival will continue on for a long time and thank all the festival staff. 

 

LiLico 

 

Each film had its own uniqueness and made an impression, but we chose one that has a lot of promise for future career. I learned so much from other fellow juror and it was a great learning experience for me and I hope to utilize it as a film commentator in the future. 
 

 

Other Award Winners 

 

☆The Local Origination Project 

 

JIMOT CM COMPETITION 

 

On March 23, Jimot CM Competition Final was held at Open Air Screen and the following winners were announced. 

 

＜JIMOT CM Prefectures of Japan - Grand Prize＞ Prize money: JPY470,000 

 

Kanonnji City, Kagawa Prefecture (Conceptor: Yoshitaka Goda) 
 

 

＜JIMOT CM Prefectures of Japan – Special Mention＞ 

 

Kiryu, Maehashi, Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture (Conceptor: Everyone at Mayu to Kiito 
 

＜JIMOT CM 41 Municipalities in Okinawa – Grand Prize ＞ Prize money: JPY410,000  

Zamami Village, Okinawa Prefecture (Conceptor: Yasuhiro Nishikawa) 

＜JIMOT CM 41 Municipalities in Okinawa – Special Mention＞ 

 

Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture (Conceptor: Tatsuya Nagase) 
 

 

☆TV DIRECTOR’S MOVIE 

 

Starting this year, the films co-produced by Yoshimoto Kogyo and various TV broadcasters compete in this category to be distributed at 64 Aeon Cinemas throughout the country owned and operated by Aeon Entertainment. 
 

 

BEST FILM 

 

LOVE SESSION
Director Eiji Itaya 

 

<Comment from Director Eiji Itaya> 

 

I’m so proud that my film competed with other excellent films and yet won an award. Working, practicing, and jamming with friends and colleagues that I respect was such a precious time for me and I tried to capture those many wonderful moments and expressions into this movie. OKAMOTO’S, Yu Sakai, RIP SLYME, Noriyuki Makihara, Hiroko Shimabukuro, Crystal Kay, Minako Yoshida, everyone was wonderful. Thank you and thank you! 
 

 

BEST ACTOR 

 

FURIKO - Shido Nakamura 

 

<Comment from Shido Nakamura > 

 

How hard are you going to make the most of irreversible time and try to live your precious life for the one you love? I try to portray the question by playing Daisuke based on Tekken’s work that touched many people. I’m very proud to be a part of this project and want to thank our director, cast and crew and Tekken for this opportunity. I hope the audience will embrace the film. Thank you. 
 

 

BEST ACTRESS 

 

FURIKO – Manami Konishi 

 

<Comment from Manami Konishi> 

 

I felt a lot of pressure to portray compassionate Saki, and I tried my best with all my heart. I’m very happy to receive this award as a couple with Daisue. I thank all the cast and crew who worked on the film with passion. Thank you so much. 
 

 

The Head of Jury: Michail Gkinis 

 

<Comment From Michail Gkinis > 

 

Okinawa International Movie Festival is so dynamic, human, and full of energy. I thought it was wonderful. I was happy to see Love Session, a film so full of passion and I very much look forward to work on the tailor made clothing for Mr. Sho Okamoto as an award. 
 

 

☆CREATORS FACTORY 

 

＊CREATORS FACTORY aims to uncover “the next generation of creative artists.” A winner of the top award will be provided with the full support of Yoshimoto Kogyo for their next production. 
 

 

・Best New Creators Award 

 

Koji Fukada Director of Inabe 

 

<Comment> 

 

I’m very happy. I made this film with Funabe City in Mie Prefecture, so I’m proud to bring this award back to them. With this award, I ‘m so inpisred to make more films. 
 

 

Jury：Anju, Model 

 

<Comment> 

 

It was a very interesting experience for me to serve as a juror. While many of the films dealt with unordinary events, I was surprised to find that emotions and human relationships are so real and resonant regardless of format and the quality of the films was very high. Maybe that’s because this is Okinawa International Movie Festival. As Okinawans say, “things will work out,” I was reminded of that when I was reviewing the films. No matter how hard it is, as long as you give your best, things will work out. I’m happy to see films with that message in Okinawa.