Japan

ASIFA-JAPAN ( http://asifa.jp/en/ )was founded on December 22nd, 1981, by 22 starting members including prominent animation filmmakers such as Yoji Kuri, Taiji Yabushita, Osamu Tezuka, Tadahito Mochinaga, Kihachiro Kawamoto, Renzo Kinoshita, etc. It is organized in accordance with the rules and regulations of ASIFA. Renzo Kinoshita, who was already serving as a member of ASIFA Board at that time, was elected as the first president, and served the position continuously until he passed away in January 1997. Together with ASIFA-JAPAN, Renzo made great contributions to the development of animation field.
Since its establishment, ASIFA-JAPAN has been holding its General Assembly once a year, and reelecting the executive members every three years by secret vote. Today, the current 77 members are consisted of the leading animation filmmakers and animation professionals in Japan, working actively under the spirit of ASIFA. Main activities of ASIFA-JAPAN include organizing Hiroshima International Animation Festival, biennially, together with the City of Hiroshima and The Hiroshima City of the Future Foundation, as well as the annual celebration of International Animation Day — October 28th –, etc.

Hiroshima International Animation Festival was founded by Renzo and Sayoko Kinoshita in 1985, under the endorsement of ASIFA. It is a comprehensive cultural manifestation consisted of international competition, special screenings, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, educational film market and so on. Sayoko Kinoshita, President of ASIFA-Japan and Vice-President of ASIFA, has been serving as the festival director since its first edition. Hiroshima Festival has been recognized as one of the top-notch high quality festivals of the world for its excellent programs and organization. It is also known as the place where new talents are discovered and recruited, and thus, animation professionals as well as entire media people give their highest attentions.

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