The 1st Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival (commonly known as ANIAFF) will be held in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture from December 12, 2025.
As an international film festival, it will be filled with a variety of projects and programs, including Japan's first collaboration with the animation industry's highest honor, the Annie Awards, the selection of works to participate in the first international competition, and a planning market aimed at discovering new talent and creating works that can be released to the world.
In the special screening section of this film festival, all 9 theatrical works such as “Digimon Adventure'' and “The Dragon and the Freckled Princess'' will be screened at once for the first time as part of the Director Focus[Special Feature on Director Mamoru Hosoda]!
Furthermore, director Mamoru Hosoda will be on stage in the talk program, and there will also be a surprise guest appearance!
This page also includes comments about the special screenings by festival director Shinichiro Inoue and artistic director Naoshi Sudo, so be sure to check them out!
What is “The 1st Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival” (commonly known as ANIAFF)?
Aichi Prefecture has continued to hold cultural events such as the 2005 Aichi Expo, which attracted more than 22 million people, as well as the Aichi International Arts Festival, the Aichi International Women's Film Festival, and the World Cosplay Summit.
ANIAFF will be born as a global and one of the world's largest international film festival that combines the industrial and cultural power of Nagoya, one of the core of Japan's three metropolitan areas, and a place for creators from all over the world to gather, talk, and inspire each other.
During the period from December 12th (Friday) to December 17th (Wednesday), excellent cutting-edge animation works from all over the world that transcend genres and expression methods will gather. Many films will be screened in six categories, including the International Competition and New Wave categories, at screening facilities centered around the city's Midland Square Cinema, Midland Square Cinema 2, and 109 Cinemas Nagoya, as well as talks, workshops, and symposiums with a variety of guests.
All theatrical works, including director Mamoru Hosoda's early works, will be screened at once!
Director Mamoru Hosoda is attracting attention from anime fans all over the world as his long-awaited latest work “Endless Scarlet'' is about to be released.
At ANIAFF, the lineup of films for the special screening directed by Mamoru Hosoda, which will be held as Director Focus in the special screening category, has been announced! In addition to the popular works that have already been announced, we have also decided to screen two films from the Digimon series, which can be said to be director Hosoda's origins, “Digimon Adventure'' and “Digimon Adventure: Our War Game!'', as well as “One Piece THE MOVIE: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island'', three early works from the Toei Animation era!
Nine other theatrical films, including these and other popular works such as “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,'' “Summer Wars,'' and “The Freckled Princess,'' will be screened all at once for the first time. Artistic Director Naoshi Sudo revealed the significance of this all-in-one screening, saying, “If you combine this with his latest film, “Endless Scarlet,'' you'll definitely be able to see where director Mamoru Hosoda was born and where he's headed.''
Director Hosoda will be visiting the film festival during the festival! A guest appearance on the talk program has also been decided!!
A talk will be held with Shinichiro Inoue, producer of “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time'' and festival director of this film festival. Will we hear about the behind-the-scenes stories behind the production of the latest work “Endless Scarlet”? There will also be a surprise guest on the talk program…!?
Festival Director Shinichiro Inoue says, “We are delighted to be able to present a special screening of director Mamoru Hosoda.We hope that you will take this opportunity to enjoy the themes and expressions underlying Hosoda's works.We are also preparing a talk session that will be held in conjunction with the screening that will please everyone, so please look forward to it,'' so please look forward to this big event that is a must-see for fans!
Comments for[Special feature on Director Mamoru Hosoda]have arrived!
Comment from Festival Director Shinichiro Inoue
I cannot help but be delighted to be able to present a special screening of director Mamoru Hosoda. At the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, we held a special screening of director Hosoda, “The World of Film Director Mamoru Hosoda,'' but this time, “ONE PIECE: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island,'' which was not screened at that time, will be screened.
Director Hosoda released “Mirai no Mirai'' and “The Dragon and the Freckled Princess'' over the next nine years. The latest work “Endless Scarlet'' is scheduled for release on November 21st. With this work being distributed worldwide, director Hosoda's international reputation is sure to increase even further.
“Endless Scarlet” is a story in which the main characters face their own hearts across time and space in order to break the chain of revenge. This work has a theme that is similar to the director's first film, “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,'' which was released 19 years ago as an original theatrical animation.
We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy the themes and expressions that underlie Hosoda's works. We are preparing a talk session that will be held in conjunction with the screening that will please everyone, so please look forward to it.
Comment from Artistic Director Naoshi Sudo
ANIAFF will focus on Mamoru Hosoda, Japan's world-renowned film director. This is a glimpse into the trajectory of his rich talent. This is an unprecedented project that will screen six films at once, from “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,'' which caused a sensation in the film world, to 2021's “The Dragon and the Freckled Princess.'' You should be able to see a consistent theme in Mamoru Hosoda's works, as well as a surprisingly varied body of work.
In addition, the lineup includes three theatrical works from the Toei Animation era, which can be said to be director Hosoda's origins, “Digimon Adventure the Movie'', “Digimon Adventure the Movie: Our War Game!'', and “ONE PIECE THE MOVIE: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island''. Currently, there are very few theater screenings, so this is a rare opportunity to see it on screen.
I'm sure you'll be able to see how director Mamoru Hosoda was born and where he's heading next when you watch his latest film, “Endless Scarlet.''
[Special feature on director Mamoru Hosoda]Screened works
“Digimon Adventure”
Year of production:1999
Number of work hours:20 minutes
Production company:toei animation
Distribution company:Toei
Synopsis:A strange creature called “Botamon” was born from a computer screen in the middle of the night! Despite Taichi's anxiety, his younger sister Hikari is overjoyed. Botamon evolves into Agumon! At that time, Digimon World, where digital monsters live, appears! Just then, a bird-type monster rushes towards Agumon. But at that time, something strange happened to Agumon's body again…! The evolution into the super giant monster “Greymon” has begun! Two major monsters collide, what will happen in the fierce battle?
Copyright:
(C) Akiyoshi Hongo/Toei Animation
(C)Toei/Shueisha/Toei Animation
“Digimon Adventure-Our War Game!”
Year of production:2000
Number of work hours:40 minutes
Production company:toei animation
Distribution company:Toei
Synopsis:Six months have passed since Taichi and his friends returned from their adventure in the Digital World. Those adventures were incredibly peaceful. However, one day, a creepy egg was born on the Internet, evolved into a ferocious Digimon, spread through the Internet, and threw the world into chaos! Will Taichi be able to defeat the Digimon rampaging through the internet?
Copyright:
(C) Akiyoshi Hongo/Toei Animation
(C)Toei, Toei Animation, Shueisha, Fuji Television, Bandai
“One Piece THE MOVIE: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island”
Year of production:2005
Number of work hours:91 minutes
Production company:toei animation
Distribution company:Toei
Synopsis:Luffy discovers a glass bottle while sailing along the Grand Line. Inside the bottle is a treasure map of Omatsuri Island with fun pictures of treasure chests and flowers! Luffy went into full adventure mode and headed for Omatsuri Island with his astonished crew!! However, Omatsuri Island was a very plain island. Suddenly, a glittering theme park appeared, and Baron Omatsuri, a gigantic man with flowers blooming from his shoulders, appeared with a rugged pirate chorus in the background, and said to Luffy, his eyes shining. “Let's do the secret treasure. But only if we can overcome the trials of hell!” – Secret treasures and trials of hell – Luffy immediately jumps at this keyword that tickles his adventurous spirit! The trials of hell are about to begin–they are filled with festive trials such as goldfish scooping, ring toss, and target shooting. And the guardians of the trial are Muchigorou, Kerojii, and DJ Gappa…the Baron's subordinates are also full of quirks. The crew of the Straw Hat Pirates disappear one after another after being attacked, and the flower on Baron's shoulder grows in an eerie light… What on earth is going on in this trial…!? What is the secret treasure that lies ahead? Where has the crew disappeared to? Luffy will now take on the trial that has literally turned into hell all by himself!!!
Copyright:
(C) Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Fuji Television, Toei Animation (C) “2005 One Piece” Production Committee
“The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”
Year of production:2006
Number of work hours:98 minutes
Production company:mad house
Distribution company:Studio Map LLP
Synopsis:There is a future that I can't wait for.
The first animated film based on Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel. Makoto, a high school girl who gains the ability to time-leap to the past, discovers the meaning of “life's irreplaceable time'' as she undoes her past.
A youth story depicting a refreshing summer.
Copyright:
(C) “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” Production Committee 2006
“SUMMER WARS”
Country of production:Japan
Year of production:2009
Number of work hours:114 minutes
Production company:mad house
Distribution company:Studio Map LLP
Synopsis:This is a new war.
A boy whose only talent is mathematics takes on the world crisis that has broken out in a virtual space called “OZ” in the countryside of Nagano, together with the senior he admires and his relatives.
A summer action family film that charms you with exciting battles and delicate human drama, based on the completely different motifs of the Internet and a large family in the countryside.
Copyright:
(C) SUMMERWARS FILM PARTNERS
“Wolf Children's Rain and Snow”
Year of production:2012
Number of work hours:117 minutes
Production company:studio map
Distribution company:Toho
Synopsis:The person I fell in love with was “Wolf Man”. I will live with these children.
“Hana” falls in love with a “wolf man” and is blessed with two “wolf children”, “Ame” and “Yuki”, but he never returns home.
Hana moves to a rural town rich in nature so that the remaining children can choose to live as either humans or wolves. A moving story spanning 13 years between a mother and her child.
Copyright:
(C)2012 “Wolf Children’s Rain and Snow” Production Committee
“The Boy and The Beast”
Year of production:2015
Number of work hours:119 minutes
Production company:studio map
Distribution company:Toho
Synopsis:With you, I can become stronger.
One day, a lonely boy, Kyuta, seeks strength and becomes an apprentice to the monster Kumatetsu.
At first, the two bump into each other at every opportunity, but through their days of training, they grow together, and before they know it, they develop a bond like that of a real parent and child.
A story of many fathers who celebrate the growth of their children.
Copyright:
(C)2015 THE BOY AND THE BEAST FILM PARTNERS
“Mirai of the future”
Year of production:2018
Number of work hours:98 minutes
Production company:studio map
Distribution company:Studio Map LLP
Synopsis:I met the future. This world is full of future.
Kun-chan, a spoiled 4-year-old boy, is guided by his younger sister Mirai-chan, who came from the future, and sets out on a journey into a “family story” that transcends time. “Future Future'' is a work that depicts the daily life of a family through the eyes of a small child, and arrives at huge themes such as the repeated history of a family, the large flow of time, and the cycle of life.
Copyright:
(C)2018 Studio Map
“The Dragon and the Freckled Princess” (BELLE)
Year of production:2021
Number of work hours:121 minutes
Production company:studio map
Distribution company:Toho
Synopsis:I'm not alone anymore.
A story of courage and hope in which Suzu Naito, a high school girl who is deeply traumatized by the death of her mother and unable to sing, joins a virtual world called “U'' on the Internet called “another reality'' called “U'', where over 5 billion people gather, and becomes “Belle'', the songstress of “U''.
Copyright:
(C)2021 Studio Map
1st Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival Overview
name:Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival
English notation:Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival
Period:December 12th (Friday) – December 17th (Wednesday), 2025
Sponsored by:Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival Executive Committee
General producer:Taro Maki
Festival Director:Shinichiro Inoue
Artistic Director:Naoshi Sudo
Planning and production:Genco Co., Ltd.
Co-host:Aichi Prefecture/Nagoya City
cooperation:Nakanippon Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tokyu Recreation Co., Ltd., Shinto Tsushin Co., Ltd., Japan Educational Foundation Nagoya Mode Gakuen/HAL Nagoya
venue:Screening facilities such as Midland Square Cinema, Midland Square Cinema 2, 109 Cinemas Nagoya, and 5 other locations are planned.
