The poster visual for the 3rd Niigata International Animation Film Festival, which will be held over six days from Saturday, March 15 to Thursday (public holiday), March 20, 2025, has been unveiled.
The Niigata International Animation Film Festival (NIAFF) is Asia’s largest animation film festival, held in Niigata, a city known for producing numerous manga and anime creators such as Shinji Mizushima of Dokaben and Rumiko Takahashi of Urusei Yatsura, aiming to become the “Animation Capital.” It is the world’s first film festival focusing on feature-length animation. The second edition in 2024 attracted many filmmakers from around the world, including the first visit to Japan by Irish director Nora Twomey, and recorded a total attendance of 24,000 people.
The newly revealed poster visual features an expanded version of the “hands of the creator,” represented by a thousand-armed Kannon and the image of Niigata Island, which appeared on the previous poster. It blends Asian aesthetics with a futuristic feel to showcase the dynamic world of the event.
Additionally, it has been announced that Niigata International Animation Film Festival in TOKYO, featuring selected popular works from the second NIAFF, will be held. For seven days from Saturday, November 30 to Friday, December 6, screenings of competition entries and period dramas will take place at Eurospace in Shibuya, Tokyo, with different films shown each day. The Grand Prix-winning film Adam ga Kawaru Toki (When Adam Changes) will be screened at 3:00 p.m. on the first day, followed by a talk session with program director Naoshi Sudo and others. Full event passes will be sold at the theater box office, and buyers will receive a special sacoche as a gift.
Niigata International Animation Film Festival 2025
Event Period: Saturday, March 15 – Thursday, March 20 (6 days)
Locations: Niigata Citizen Plaza, Nippoh Hall, Cinewind, T-Joy Niigata Bandai (screenings)
Kaishi Professional University, Niigata University South Campus Tokimeito (symposiums, exhibitions)
Organizers: Niigata International Animation Film Festival Executive Committee
Festival Director: Shinichiro Inoue (former editor-in-chief of Monthly Newtype)
Program Director: Naoshi Sudo (animation journalist)
Chairperson: Kenzo Horikoshi (Eurospace Representative, Professor at Kaishi Professional University)
Vice-Chairperson: Akio Nashimoto (film director, Executive Officer of Sunny Rain Co., Ltd.)
General Producer: Taro Maki (CEO of Genco, Inc.)
Tokyo Office Director: Atsuya Ihara (Producer at Genco, Inc./Production Division)
Niigata Office Director: Masayuki Uchida (Director-General of Niigata Anime and Manga Project Consortium)
Sponsors (Expected): Cabinet Office Intellectual Property Strategy Promotion Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Niigata Prefecture, Niigata Prefectural Board of Education, others
Special Cooperation (Expected): Niigata City, Niigata Nippo, Niigata Chamber of Commerce and Industry Federation, NSG Holdings, others
Grants: Agency for Cultural Affairs Cultural Arts Promotion Fund (Film Festival Support Program)
Niigata International Animation Film Festival in TOKYO
November 30 (Sat) – December 6 (Fri) at Eurospace / Shibuya
Organized by: Niigata International Animation Film Festival Association
Planning and Production: Eurospace + Genco
Screening Schedule Talk sessions are free (approx. 30 minutes)
◎ Competition Section
November 30 (Sat)
15:00 When Adam Changes
Talk: Yoshihiko Yadabe + Naoshi Sudo
17:30 Mantra Warrior: The Legend of Eight Moons
December 1 (Sun)
15:00 Other Shape
17:00 Alice and Teles’ Phantom Factory
December 2 (Mon)
15:00 Krayukaba
17:00 Sultana’s Dream
December 3 (Tue)
15:00 Kensuke’s Kingdom (English version)
17:00 On the Bridge
December 4 (Wed)
15:00 Coyote’s Four Souls
17:15 Mars Express
December 5 (Thu)
15:00 Strange Fish from the Deep Sea
◎ Samurai Animation Special
December 5 (Thu)
16:45 Boy Sasuke Sarutobi
18:00 The Mechanical Tale: Hiwou Senki (Episode 21)
December 6 (Fri)
15:00 Theatrical Version: Sengoku Kitan Youtouden
Talk: Naoshi Sudo
17:15 Stranger: Mukou Hantan
<Tickets on Sale Now!>
Available at Eurospace official website and Eurospace ticket counter
Single Ticket:
Adult ¥1,500 / Student ¥1,000 / High School and Below ¥500
*For On the Bridge only:
Adult ¥1,000 / Student and Below ¥500
Full Festival Pass:
Adult ¥10,000 / Student ¥6,000 (Festival sacoche included)
*Passes are only available at the ticket counter. Please collect your reserved seat ticket for each screening.
◎ Online Tickets http://www.eurospace.co.jp/
● Available for purchase with credit cards only.
● Please collect your tickets from the dedicated ticket machine in the lobby before the screening.
