The awards presentation and closing ceremony of The Hiroshima International Film Festival’s (HIFF) Short Film Competition, were held at the first theater in NTT Cred Hall on Sunday, November 24th at 19:00. Mr. Michita Kimura and Ms. Pauline Baldwin served as the MC’s.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr. Kazutaka Yamamoto greeted everyone and provided his closing statement. Next, Director in Cultural Arts Division of Environmental prefectural office, Mr. Hisashi Okamura read a message to celebrate the success of the HIFF on behalf of the Governor of Hiroshima, Hidehiko Yuzaki.

The awards presentation was then held for the winners of the HIFF Short Film Competition, of which 6 films submitted from all over the world competed. First, the Audience Award, presented for the film most appreciated by the audience vote, was awarded to "Mr. You’s 100th Birthday", directed by Ringo Ye. This was Director Ye’s second time winning an award from the HIFF since also winning the Hiroshima Grand Prix in 2016.

The award ceremony moved on for the announcement of the Jury Award, which was awarded to Ricardo Soto's "OLYMPIC FLAME".

To cap off the Awards presentation, the HIFF Grand Prix Award was announced by The Jury President, Director Amir Naderi and "A MILLION EYES" was selected. Director of “A MILLION EYES”, Richard Raymond was awarded the Grand Prix.

All winners were presented with a trophy resembling the official character, “HIFFY” of the Hiroshima International Film Festival. Jury Director Amir Naderi said, "it was too difficult to choose," and concluded, “I hope female directors who were not nominated this time will continue to participate and more works would be able to compete.”

In the end, the President of the HIFF, Ms. Kyoko Heya announced, "HIFF shows films from all over the world which carry positive messages. Based on the concept, we had been holding the HIFF, but we just have to resonate with Director Nobuhiko Obayashi's strong feelings for peace and want to create the film festival with the power to make the future peaceful."

The Hiroshima International Film Festival 2019 then closed with a big round of applause.

Hiroshima Grand Prix Award
Richard Raymond：Director
" A MILLION EYES"[USA / UK]

Jury Award
RICARDO SOTO：Director
"OLYMPIC FLAME"[MEXICO]

Audience Award
Ringo Ye: Director
" Mr. You’s 100th Birthday" [China]

Hiroshima Peace Award Ceremony was held about 18:00 at NTT CRED Hall NO.1 on Sunday November 24th. The MC was Ms. Yukiko Suzuki a film commentator.
This year’s Hiroshima Peace Award went to Director Nobuhiko Obayashi, who directed “Labyrinth of Cinema”. When he appeared on the stage from a stage wing and a storm of applause came from the audience.
“The winner is you all,” Director Obayashi expressed his gratitude to the audience. The location of this film is a theater in Onomichi, which is about to be closed. Three young men go into the world of movies. They go to battlefronts in China and Okinawa, and Hiroshima at the time just before the atomic bomb was dropped, and face the death of people they love. For Director Obayashi, a film is, “the best way to make world peace. I would like to celebrate this winning, in that it means many people need the power of films,” as he thanked the winning again and again.
He often thought of the victims of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. “One way to make world peace, is to remember this tragedy. Let’s bring peace to the world.” He always sent a message of peace.
His wife, who has been the producer of his works for many years, appeared on the stage. She was grateful to those involved with this film. “It is a pleasure to make a film, rooted in regions such as Onomichi, Hiroshima prefecture, Karatsu, Saga prefecture, and Ashibetsu, Hokkaido prefecture. In the hall, there were people who helped Director Obayashi make films from all over Japan. Because of all of you, I was able to make films. I appreciate it so much that I would like to award some prize to you all.”
“Banzai, movie lovers!” The hall was filled with applause from the audience.

On Sunday, 24th November, 2019 at 10:30 AM, “Her Love Boils Bathwater (Barrier-free ver.)” was screened at NTT CRED Hall No.1. This film is a love story. Hutaba (Rie Miyazawa) having a very short time to live, builds bridges between her daughter, her estranged husband, and a stranger. They decide to cover her life with the ultimate love.
After the screening, an audience greeted Takashi Watanabe, a music director with applause and the talk show started. The interviewer was Shiori Kuwabara, also the announcer. This talk show utilized a sign language interpreter and captions. This is a valuable opportunity to hear the music director’s talk. Mr.Watanabe said, “I have not joined a talk show very much because I am a backseat role.”
He said that an audience would understand acting and frames with different images when the music changes. About the role of film music, he thinks that music is a final push for the director’s messages and actor’s intentions. The resonance of film music gives glimpses of his words.
He introduced the episode where he was happy when he saw the smile of the audience at Berlin International Film Festival and said, “I want you to watch movies at theaters. At theaters, an audience laughs and weeps at the same time and shares the air.” This would be an understandable word for the audience who watched “Her Love Boils Bathwater (Barrier-free ver.)” at Hiroshima International Film Festival.
The talk show brought the curtain down in a good atmosphere as he said “talk to me freely at the lobby”.