AWARD
Introducing this year’s award-winning works.
2026 Award
Branded Shorts of the YearInternational Competition
Award given to the best BRANDED short film from outside Japan chosen based on eight criteria: essentiality, ability to change perceptions, shareability, strength of message, viewership retention, originality, timeliness, and memory retention.
A woman’s everyday life unfolds through intimate images of her hands-caring, connecting and creating. Gradually, these gestures lead naturally to breast self-examination, suggesting that knowing how to touch ourselves is simply an extension of how we touch the world.
Clientcheckyourbreasts.today
Agency-
ProductionBonkers United, division7, SMUGGLER
Judith Veenendaal / 0:03:08 / Netherlands / Branded Movie / 2025
Branded Shorts of the YearNational Competition
Award given to the best Japanese BRANDED short film chosen based on eight criteria: essentiality, ability to change perceptions, shareability, strength of message, viewership retention, originality, timeliness, and memory retention.
As he prepares to graduate from university, a young man decides to come out to his parents. Nervous and unsure of how they will react, he is surprised when the conversation ends more easily than expected. Yet a small remark in the tense silence cuts deep.
The story gently portrays the emotions on both sides-the courage it takes to speak and the uncertainty of those who receive it-as a simple wish to “live together” transforms family confusion and conflict into the beginning of a new relationship.
ClientMarriage For All Japan
Agency-
ProductionSPOON Inc.
Ayumu Omori / 0:10:25 / Japan / 2025
HR Competition HR Best Short Award
“For Their Final Jouney” is a 50-episode short drama based on the true story of Tokuhisa Tomiyasu, founder of Tear Inc. At 18, Tomiyasu entered the funeral industry, where a chance encounter with his senior colleague Fujita changed the course of his life. Through countless encounters with death and farewells, he grew, eventually founding his own company and taking it public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
This episode focuses on the funeral of a yakuza boss’s son, exploring the different emotions of his father, mother, and lover as they each come to terms with his death.
ClientTEAR Co., Ltd.
AgencyTBS Sparkle, Inc.
ProductionTBS Sparkle, Inc.
Miyatake Yui / 0:14:34 / Japan / Branded Movie / 2025
The 15th Visual Tourism Award, Japan Tourism Agency Commisioner’s Award
Sophie, a French philosopher, visits Fukushima for the first time to attend a friend’s wedding. Unable to speak the local language and having lost the map she was relying on, she finds herself guided by a mysterious ”friend” and a single ”map” on a journey with no clear destination.
Through unexpected detours and encounters along the way, Sophie discovers traditions and culture that have been passed down from generation to generation. As her journey unfolds, she finds the words she wishes to share with the friend she is about to reunite with.
ClientFukushima Prefecture
AgencyYamakawa Printing Co., Ltd.
ProductionTohokushinsha Film Corporation
Sunao Katabuchi / 0:10:53 / Japan / 2026
Personal Branding Award
Public Impact Award
