The Cutting Edge Where Film Meets AI — “AI Film Festival Japan 2025” Complete Guide
In an era where AI expands the realm of creativity, a frontline event where film and AI intersect is coming to Tokyo. “AI Film Festival Japan 2025 (AIFJ205),” held on November 2–3, 2025 at “Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB)” in Yurakucho, offers a rare chance to experience “the state of AI and cinema today.”
Plus, there’s a big giveaway brought to you by a partnership between AICU and AIFJ!
Don’t miss the finale!
The screening program gathers over 70 AI-powered short films across narrative, animation, documentary, and experimental categories. Many works not only use generative AI as a tool but also make AI itself the subject, dramatically expanding the possibilities of moving-image expression.
The venue (2F, Tokyo Innovation Base) consists of a free-admission Main Stage and a Screening Hall (general two-day pass: ¥1,500). At the Screening Hall “Projection Room,” you can watch a diverse range of AI films from around the world.
Meanwhile, the “Main Stage” will feature panel discussions and talks on topics such as AI ethics, the future of filmmaking, and AI-based evaluation of films. Filmmakers, researchers, and technology experts will take the stage, engaging in intellectually rich and energetic debates with audience Q&A.
An awards ceremony will be held on the final day to announce winners across categories, including Best AI Film, Student Award, and AI Critics’ Award—serving as a gateway for the next generation of creators.
All areas are barrier-free, with captions and multilingual support to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone.
Submissions are divided into five categories: “AI Narrative,” “AI Documentary,” “AI Animation,” “AI Experimental,” and “AI Innovation / DEI Showcase.” Each work must incorporate AI in at least 60% of its production. Experimental approaches that transcend genres and techniques are welcome. “DEI” stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, emphasizing an environment where creators from diverse backgrounds can create and present their work safely. Emerging creators and previously unpublished artists are strongly encouraged to participate.
This festival, where AI and film converge, is not merely a technology showcase. It is a platform that celebrates “new storytelling born from human–AI co-creation.” Over these two days, catch a glimpse of the future of cinema unfolding beyond the screen.
AI Film Festival Japan 2025 Program
Talk events will be held in the Main Hall (TIB 2F).
Main Hall: Tokyo Innovation Base 2F [Sunday, Nov 2]
* Program content and speakers are subject to change.
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12:30 Doors open
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13:30 Opening Screening — “Bones of Yew” by Toby Hyder
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Director Talk: Toby Hyder
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13:50 Pre-talk “Why an AI Film Festival Now?”
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Moderator: Hiroyuki Ikeda
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Speakers:
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Akihiko Shirai (AICU Representative / Visiting Professor, Digital Hollywood Graduate School)
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Kensuke Ozawa (Chairman, AISX Association)
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14:50 Opening Remarks — Hiroyuki Ikeda
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15:00 Session 1 “How Will AI Transform Filmmaking?”
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Moderator: Masahiro Aida
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Speakers:
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Yves Dalbiez (Film Director)
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Takehiro Tsuji (Asahi Advertising Inc.)
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Hayato Sone (Film Director)
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Yukihiro Osawa (President, Dolby Japan K.K.)
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15:50 Break
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16:00 AIFJ 2025 Award Winners Announcement
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18:00 Networking Reception
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19:30 Close (scheduled)
Main Hall: Tokyo Innovation Base 2F [Monday (Holiday), Nov 3]
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9:30 Doors open
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10:30 Session 2 “Documentary in the AI Era”
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Moderator: Mayumi Fukuzawa
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Speakers:
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Takahiro Hamano (Former NHK Producer)
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Hayato Nakazawa (AI Attorney / ant Law Office)
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11:20 Break
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11:30 Session 3 “How We Made the AI Film Guranmarebito”
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Moderator: Hiroyuki Ikeda
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Speaker:
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Hiroki Yamaguchi (Film Director / GahumaPix)
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12:45 Special Lecture — Toby Hyder (Film Director)
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13:30 Session 4 “Animation and AI”
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Moderator: Katsuhiro Tsuchiya
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Speakers:
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Masahiro Nakayama (CEO, Puri Prince Co., Ltd.)
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Shigeo Akahori (Animation Creator)
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Jun Saito (AI King)
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14:30 Break
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15:00 Session 5 “AI-Based Evaluation of AI Films”
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Moderator: Kazunori Kurimoto
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Speakers:
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Na Xiao Chuan (President & CEO, Trans-N Inc.)
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Ruo Yi Liu (Head of Corporate, Trans-N Inc.)
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16:00 Session 6 “Behind the Scenes of MATILDA”
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Moderator: Hiroyuki Ikeda
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Speaker:
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Kumiko Endo (Film Director)
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17:00 Closing Screening — “2043” by Simone Sighinolfi
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17:15 Masterclass by Director Simone Sighinolfi
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18:30 Closing Ceremony
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19:00 Close (scheduled)
Screening Program [Day 1]
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13:00–13:50 Program A (50 min) — Semifinalists
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14:00–14:50 Program B (50 min) — Semifinalists
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15:00–15:50 Program C (50 min) — Semifinalists
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16:00–16:50 Program D (50 min) — Semifinalists
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17:30– Invitational Screenings
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“Bones of Yew” — Toby Hyder
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“Guranmarebito”
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Work by Randy Schmidt
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19:00– Award-Winning Films
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AI Jury Prize
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Animation Award
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Documentary Award
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Experimental Award
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Comedy Award
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Special Jury Prize
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Narrative Award
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Screening Program [Day 2]
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10:00–10:50 Program E (50 min)
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11:00–11:50 Program F (50 min)
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12:00–12:50 Program G (50 min)
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13:00–14:00 Award-Winning Films
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14:00–14:30 Japanese Works
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15:00–16:10 Invitational (Director Kumiko Endo) “MATILDA” (70 min) *Post-screening talk by the director
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16:10– Award-Winning Films
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17:00– Closing Film “2043” (15 min) by Simone Sighinolfi
Two Days of “Co-Creation” Woven by Film and AI!
AI Film Festival Japan 2025 is a creative celebration that traverses the new frontier of AI × moving images. From accessible screenings for everyone to talks by cutting-edge creators, a wide variety of programs awaits.
Crucially, anyone can enjoy AI films during the festival. In addition to a cinema-grade screening room, there are also casual spaces where general visitors can drop by and experience short- and mid-length works produced with AI. It’s a rare chance to experience advanced AI technology not as an abstruse theme but as “films for everyone.”
The lineup spans narrative, animation, documentary, and experimental. Beyond using generative AI as a tool, several works make AI itself the theme—inviting audiences to encounter new expressive possibilities born from human–AI co-creation.
Don’t miss filmmaker and AI creator Kumiko Endo on stage. Since early 2025, she has rapidly gained attention for AI-driven production. At this festival, she presents her 70-minute AI-made debut feature and offers a masterclass on the visual workflow, including AI for music and voice. A valuable opportunity to learn directly from a frontline creator how AI and film can be fused.
This festival is more than screenings. It’s a place to not only “watch” works but also meet their creators and collectively explore the potential of AI as a new expressive medium. Experience the cutting edge of cinema’s future—right here in Tokyo.
Nice Gifts at the Venue
The “AICU Creator Network Special Calendar 2026” is also planned!
The special calendar—normally ¥1,300 including shipping and currently on sale for ¥900 at the official AICU store—will be distributed in limited quantities at the AIFJ venue.
https://www.aicu.jp/product-page/aicu%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A8%E3%82%A4%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8D%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E7%89%B9%E8%A3%BD%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%83%BC2026
A special edition of AICU Magazine Vol.18 is also set to be distributed as the official festival pamphlet—together with the calendar!
Quantities are limited, so please apply early.
https://corp.aicu.ai/ja/calender-20251026
Event Overview
Title: AI Film Festival Japan 2025 (AI-FJ 2025)
Dates: Sunday, Nov 2, 2025 (doors 13:00); Monday (Holiday), Nov 3, 2025 (doors 10:00)
Tickets: Main Hall (awards & talks) free admission. Screening Hall two-day pass: General ¥1,500 / Student ¥500 per person.
Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB), SusHi Tech Square, 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Organizer: General Incorporated Association, AI Film Festival Japan
Representative Director: Hiroyuki Ikeda / Former TBS Announcer & News Anchor, Former JNN Paris Bureau Chief
Outline: Japan’s first international film festival dedicated to works utilizing AI technologies. Evaluated on two axes—“artistic merit” and “technological innovation”—the festival aims to present a new film culture for the AI era from Japan to the world.
Official Website: https://aifilm.jp/
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIFilmFestivalJapan
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aifj2025/
Official X: https://x.com/AIFJ2025
Contact: https://aifilm.jp/?page_id=660&lang=ja
Executive Committee, General Incorporated Association “AI Film Festival Japan”
General inquiries: marika@aifilm.jp
Message from the Organizer
Japan was the only place without an AI film festival. Would we be left behind again?
Since the release of ChatGPT, AI film festivals have sprung up across Europe, the U.S., China, Southeast Asia, and India—while Japan long remained a “vacuum zone” for AI cinema. Driven by a sense of urgency, we decided to share the current landscape of AI films “not on smartphones, but on the big screen.” With nothing but sheer will, we launched this initiative. After over six months of all-out sprinting, the “1st AI Film Festival Japan” finally opens in November 2025.
In a short time, we received 410 submissions from Japan and abroad. Officially recognized by FilmFreeway, our festival with “TOKYO/JAPAN” in the name drew interest from over a dozen countries, and more than 70 works were submitted from within Japan. We were also fortunate to secure special screenings, including works by awardees from AI festivals in Cannes and a 70-minute sci-fi epic by a Japanese female director.
AI, as a potential intelligence surpassing humanity, inspires both possibility and anxiety. Through AIFJ, we hope AI will become not a “source of fakes,” but the “strongest tool for cultivating hope.”
We extend heartfelt gratitude to all creators who submitted their work. We also hope the selected works will nurture expression and hope among younger generations in Japan—where AI creators are still few.
We believe that human–AI co-creation will open a new horizon for Japanese culture.
Hiroyuki Ikeda, Representative Director, AI Film Festival Japan
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