We Are Aliens Wins Feature Grand Prize at Ottawa International Animation Festival

The feature anime film We Are Aliens, currently in theaters, has won the Grand Prize in the Feature Animation category at the 50th Ottawa International Animation Festival in Canada. At 29 years old, director Kohei Kadowaki becomes the youngest director in history to win the Grand Prize in this category.

In response to the win, Kadowaki commented: "I had never received a film award before. I never dreamed that the very first award of my life would be the Grand Prize in competition at one of the world's top three animation film festivals. I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who guided me to this point."

He further shared his joy following the film's domestic release: "Since the theatrical release began, I've been living through days I could never have imagined, and this wonderful news arrived like a gift."

We Are Aliens is the first feature-length animation project from film label NOTHING NEW. It depicts the 30-year friendship between Tsubasa, a shy young man, and Gyotaro, a popular guy. Kadowaki handled planning, screenplay, and direction, with Ryota Bando voicing Tsubasa and Amane Okayama voicing Gyotaro. Ten Yamasaki and Kemuri Matsui also join the voice cast. The music is composed by Yaffle, with the theme song "Sasakure" performed by adieu. The film held its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight and was selected for the Feature Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival jury praised the film for capturing everyday moments often overlooked from a fresh perspective, while highlighting its beautiful animation, emotional depth, and cinematic quality.

Alongside the announcement, a "Friendship Trailer" focusing on the duo's bond was released. Meeting in the spring of their third-grade year and becoming best friends, the two share silly conversations, spend after-school hours together, and immerse themselves in games made just for two. Laughing over nonsense and simply enjoying each other's company, the trailer vividly captures those nostalgic moments with a best friend that reside in everyone's memories.

Source : ORICON NEWS