SSFF & ASIA Announces New Competition Category for 2008

SSFF & ASIA Announces New Competition Category for 2008

Welcoming its 10th anniversary in 2008, Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) will introduce a new competition category that represents the theme of global warming: "Stop! The Global Warming Competition."

Global warming cannot be prevented through temporary actions, but a continuous effort. In searching for a possible channel that SSFF & ASIA, its audiences, and participating creators could take to stop global warming, we came to realize that we have a wonderful medium to spread the movement outward: short films.

Nowadays, short films are recognized through close ties with digital media such as the Internet and mobile phones. Furthermore, short films are convenient for the busy life style of today’s society and are accessible to people all over the world. Considering these qualities that short films possess, we would like to focus on this important global warming theme to encourage people to take serious action regarding the issue.

Since 1999, SSFF & ASIA has participated in an activity called "Sweepers" to clean up the streets of Omotesando, Harajuku during the festival. Last year, through this activity, we learned of an initiative called -6% which is a carbon dioxide reduction plan founded by the Japanese Ministry of Environment. In an effort to promote this government initiative, SSFF & ASIA has become a member of Team -6%, which inspired us to establish "Stop! The Global Warming Competition" to commence next year.

We will start accepting submissions for "Stop! The Global Warming Competition," along with general submissions from August 1st, 2007. The deadline for all submissions will be sometime in November, after which we will move on to the selection process. Selected short films will be premiered at SSFF & ASIA 2008 where designated jury members will chose the "Best Short Award" for the global warming category. The winner will be presented with a cash prize and their film will be shown on websites and other mediums.

SSFF & ASIA is proud to present "Stop! The Global Warming Competition" as a valuable tool to encourage people from all over the world to take serious action to help our environment. This collaboration of SSFF & ASIA and Team -6% strives to be a meaningful accomplishment for the future.