The 2024 Asia and Short Film Festival will shed light on pressing global issues amidst ongoing conflicts and disasters worldwide, showcasing the premiere of the first-ever film entirely written by artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the theme “Light up life,” the Organizing Committee aims to evoke empathy, discovery, and inspiration among viewers through selected films. Among these is “Palestine Islands,” a French production set in a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank. The narrative follows a young Palestinian girl’s efforts to persuade her blind grandfather that the wall separating their camp from their hometown of Jaffa has fallen.

In the smartphone movie category, “Siren! Air Raid Alert! Head for Cover!” from Ukraine captures another significant conflict. This 5-minute documentary utilizes footage filmed by Ukrainians in the war zone.

Noteworthy is “Efe,” a documentary directed and filmed by journalist Shiori Ito, a symbol of Japan’s #MeToo movement. The film portrays life after the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye – Syria through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy.

Established in 1999 by Japanese actor Tetsuya Bessho, the Asia and Short Film Festival is the sole international event of its kind in Asia, featuring five competitive film categories with aspirations for future Oscars.

This year’s festival, a blend of online and live screenings, will showcase around 270 films selected from 4,936 submissions representing 114 countries and regions worldwide.

In the era of prevailing technology, audiences will experience a series of special films produced with AI support. Notable among these are the experimental animated film “The Artificial Conjuring Circle” from Austria, the first entirely AI-generated film, and China’s “Dragon Gate,” the first watercolor-style animated short film to incorporate AI-generated content.

Additionally, this year’s event introduces “Life Log Box,” an online marketplace connecting short film creators with business opportunities.

The Asian and Short Film Festival will take place across multiple venues in Tokyo, Japan, from June 4 to 17, with select films available for online viewing until June 30.