Chris Robinson: What is the primary aim of the Hiroshima Festival?

Sayoko Kinoshita: I am organizing the festival from an international standpoint, and moreover, as a festival held in Asia, I am aiming the development of not only Japanese animation but also of the Southern countries of our world.

The Hiroshima Festival has been the only place where Japanese and Asian people could appreciate foreign animation (from Europe, North America, etc.), synthetically and in volume, and continuously. Japanese producers and animation people participate to see the foreign animations, from the historical works to the latest. For the foreign participants, I have been trying to support them to facilitate their contacts with Japanese professionals.

A press conference conducted during the festival.

CR: What about the complaints that you don't devote enough attention to Japanese animators?

SK: My policy is that the chances must be given equally to every filmmaker and there should be no special consideration for countries and/or regions, including Japanese people.

CR: This is true enough but do you not feel some responsibility given that your country produces a diverse and respected body of work? Animator Koji Yamamura notes that despite an increase in Japanese entries, there is a decrease in films being accepted. He wonders why the festival does not accept more Japanese works and suggests that you introduce a national competition or special program (like a Panorama) to introduce new works by Japanese animators at every festival.

Scene from the festival picnic.

SK: We always hold the special programme(s) for Japanese animation. We show various titles ranging from independent works to theatrical features, TV programmes, commercials, etc., from the pioneers to the contemporary. Also, Japanese works are selected within several programmes which I curate under various themes (such as Best of the World, Animation for Peace, Animation for Children, Asian Collections, etc.).

Moreover, we have a space named "Frame-In" which the participants could use freely to present their works, to hold symposiums, lectures, etc. Throughout the festival period, we place 5 staff members as well as interpreters for "Frame-In," and the facilities include high quality projectors for 16mm, VHS (NTSC, PAL), Betacam (NTSC). Any participants can book the space, and all the programmes are announced in advance through the daily bulletins. Japanese students and young filmmakers enjoy using this space to show their own works as well as to exchange ideas and information. Also, the festival side uses this space to organize "questions & answers corners" between our guests and the participants, and such programmes are well received by Japanese young filmmakers as they can talk and discuss more closely and frankly with the guests from abroad. Especially, since HIROSHIMA2000, "Frame-In" moved to a larger hall, next to our main theatre (within the same complex).