AI Short Film Festival 2025 Judging Live Stream Summary! #MulmoCast
On December 13, 2025, the "AI Short Film Festival 2025" judging live stream was held on YouTube. This event showcases the latest video generation tools developed by Japanese creators, along with a competition. The total prize money of 900,000 yen awarded to outstanding works is certainly a draw, but the discussions between the leading judges are also very interesting.
Opening and Judge Introductions
Ichikawa: Hello everyone. Welcome to the "AI Short Film Festival 2025" presentation venue. My name is Ichikawa from TechWorld. Thank you for your attention.
Tatsuhiro Ichikawa. Representative of TECH WORLD: Graduated from the Department of Information Science, Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University → LINE Yahoo → Representative Director of Tech World Co., Ltd.
It may seem unusual for TechWorld, a media outlet for IT engineers, to host a film festival presentation, but we had the pleasure of having Mr. Satoshi Nakajima as the head judge at a hackathon we hosted, and this time we are co-hosting the presentation. Today's AI Short Film Festival 2025 is brought to you by Singularity Society, TechWorld Co., Ltd., and Mag2 Co., Ltd.
Now, for this year's festival, entries were submitted using "MulmoCast," developed by Mr. Nakajima, and we received a total of 184 works. That's quite a lot, isn't it?
Satoshi Nakajima / MulmoCast Developer An engineer who was involved in the development of Windows 95 and Internet Explorer at Microsoft US headquarters. Currently, as the representative of Singularity Society, he is a leading figure in disseminating information about the future of AI and technology. He is the author of many books and is well-versed in the social implementation and future prediction of the latest AI technologies, with a reputation for conveying practical knowledge in an easy-to-understand manner.
Satoshi Nakajima: Yes, I was quite surprised. At first, there were only a few submissions, and there was a slight concern about whether we would get enough, but in the end, we received 184 works. A lot of them came in right before the deadline, so it was tough to watch them all at the last minute (laughs).
Ichikawa: Thank you very much. Today, we will be announcing four category awards and the grand prize winner. Now, let me introduce the judges. First, the head judge, the developer of MulmoCast, the chief architect of Windows 95/98, and a world-renowned engineer, Mr. Satoshi Nakajima.
Nakajima: Thank you for having me.
Ichikawa: Next, the representative of Cork, Mr. Yohei Sadoshima, who is active on the front lines of creation and editing, having worked on "Space Brothers," "Dragon Zakura," and others.
Yohei Sadoshima / Representative of Cork. An editor who has worked on numerous hit works such as "Dragon Zakura," "Space Brothers," and "Hataraki Man." After joining Kodansha in 2002, he was in charge of popular works in "Morning" and "Evening." In 2012, he founded Cork with the aim of supporting creators, and as a writer's companion agent, he produces a wide range of creative content, from manga and novels to video projects. He has a reputation for maximizing the value of works through video adaptations, overseas development, community management, and other means.
Ichikawa: Next, the CEO of AICU Inc., the representative of AICU Japan, a visiting professor at Digital Hollywood University Graduate School, and a leader in research on the metaverse and AI, Mr. Akihiko Shirai.
Akihiko Shirai Doctor of Engineering / CEO of AICU Inc. / Visiting Professor at Digital Hollywood University Graduate School
A leading researcher in VR entertainment. Obtained a doctorate after developing the world's first game engine. After working at NHK, a French research institute, and GREE, he is now promoting the democratization of visual expression using Stable Diffusion, ComfyUI, etc., under the slogan "Creating creators in the age of generative AI." He publishes books and Web/magazine media every day. He is the editor-in-chief of the monthly iQ Magazine. He is at the forefront of AI films, including giving keynote speeches at the AI Japan International Film Festival.
Shirai: I'm Shirai, the CEO of AICU, a creative AI media company. Thank you.
Ichikawa: Finally, Ms. Yuka Ohsumi, a filmmaker and director who is active in a wide range of fields such as commercials, films, and documentaries.
Yuka Ohsumi Filmmaker / Creator
Graduated from Musashino Art University. After experiencing planning and directing in the CM and digital fields at AOI Pro., she went freelance. She is involved in a wide range of video production, including CMs, films, documentaries, and educational programs, and specializes in the "children and education" field, including NHK E-Tele and Benesse works. She has won numerous awards, including the Silver Lion at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, official selection at the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival. Lecturer at Keio University and Musashi University. At the "Eizou Tankyu Gakushu Combi Vi," which she presides over, she is developing CM production workshops using AI.
Ohsumi: Yes, I'm Yuka Ohsumi. Thank you.
Judge's Overall Comments and Trends in Submitted Works
Ichikawa: First of all, could you each give us a brief comment on your overall impression of the works submitted this time?
Shirai: AICU is also an abbreviation for "AI Creator Union," and we operate an information media related to creative AI. We usually hold contests where AI-loving creators gather, but this time I got the impression that a completely different customer base of players came in. While feeling the "pain" of that gap (laughs), I watched all the works carefully. It was very enjoyable.
Nakajima: The MulmoCast tool was originally developed for me to create my own YouTube channel. As I was making it, I thought, "If I make it more general-purpose, other people can use it," so I released it as open source. However, the hurdle of having to obtain the API key yourself was high, and many people probably dropped out there. Nevertheless, I'm surprised that we received 184 works. I hope to make it easier to use in the future.
Sadoshima: I think that the main players in the future of creators will be "AI creators." For example, in the manga industry, I predict that expressions like animation, which used to be made by large groups of people, will be developed by small groups or individuals on SNS, and Netflix will look for original works there. This time, I participated with the intention of finding the next generation of creators, but overall, I got the impression that the works were made by people who are more "early adopters of new technology" than "creative" themselves.
Ohsumi: I usually make live-action videos such as commercials, but a year ago I did a workshop for junior and senior high school students on "Let's make a commercial using AI." At that time, it took us a whole day to make one video while being exhausted, but when I saw the entries this time, I was surprised at the speed of AI's evolution in the past year. I'm curious about how much work went into making them.
List of works that passed the first round https://www.mag2.com/events/ai-film-fes2025/pass.html
Visual Category Judging and Announcement
Ichikawa: Now, we will move on to the announcement of each category award. First is the "Visual Category." This category evaluates the beauty of the video, the completeness of the picture, and the achievement of AI video. The nominated works are "Nameless Person", "50 Years Later", "Gravity", and "1 Rather Than 1 Million 'Likes', Your '1'".
Shirai: I really sympathized with "Nameless Person" because I'm from a photography background. Selling photos on the street, the heavy feeling when returning to the room. It was quite iconic in this series of works.
Nakajima: I was also surprised by "Nameless Person." Even though I made the tool myself, I thought, "I can't make this." Rather than using the tool well, I felt the depth of the message contained in the final work. I'm surprised that this came out in the first time.
Sadoshima: I thought it was a very high-level work. However, I also had the expectation that "this is the minimum line" before watching it. Now, both professionals and amateurs have started at the same time. People who are being scouted online are making them at a slightly higher level. There are now two types of AI creators: "People who have something they want to create in their heads and are helped by AI" and "People who create dishes from materials that come out of ChatGPT." Including "Nameless Person," the latter still has a "the highest peak of home cooking" feel. I felt the dawn of an era in which creators who make the best remixes from materials and creators who realize the vision in their heads are competing.
Ohsumi: I was honestly surprised when I saw "Nameless Person." When I showed it to students in an animation class, it was so shocking that the context changed completely. It's a shame that the character has a sense of familiarity, but I strongly felt the writer's character as a story.
Nakajima: "50 Years Later" can be evaluated for its clay animation-like texture and the persistent effort put into it. "Gravity" is professional-like and the music is also well done. I evaluated the amount of effort put into it, whether it was made in 3D or live-action.
Sadoshima: "50 Years Later" conveyed that there was a world view that you wanted to create, but you should have been able to move it more. "Gravity" is a high-level AI music video. "1 Million Likes" has a sophisticated story, but I felt that there was not enough direction intention for the character's acting, or so-called "acting direction."
Ichikawa: Opinions are divided, but shall we vote? "Nameless Person" or "Gravity"?
(The results of the judges' vote were split 2 to 2)
Ichikawa: It's split... (laughs). What should we do in the end?
Nakajima: (Ichikawa), you decide (laughs).
Ichikawa: Huh!? Then, in terms of the ease of understanding the story and the writer's character... the winner of the Visual Category is "Nameless Person"! Congratulations.
Nameless Person
A video work that depicts the distance between "something that you are drawn to for some reason" and AI through the night of a nameless young man who only takes pictures of shadows.
Animation Category Judging and Announcement
Ichikawa: Next is the "Animation Category." The nominated works are "Beyond 1 Click", "AI Recommendations for Old Men (and Old Women)", "Chase", and "Our Startup".
Sadoshima: They are all interesting, but it's a little sad that the Animation Category tends to attract works that are "exhausted" (laughs). I think "Beyond One Click" is a cut above. However, the phenomenon of not being able to move it until the point of making it, like clay animation, has existed since before AI. If AI makes it possible for a small number of people to produce it, that should change.
Ohsumi: After all, it's "Beyond One Click." The character design and story are well-organized. The sound is a shame, but the overall quality and quality of the work is high.
Shirai: I thought the smoke effect in "Chase" was amazing, to the point where post-effect companies would be unnecessary. "Our Startup" was also working hard on facial expressions. However, if I were to choose based on the sense of unity and beauty of one still image, I would choose "One Click."
Nakajima: From my point of view, everyone is at a high level and amazing, but I liked "Our Startup" in terms of the story (laughs). As a real story about the real hardships of startups (laughs). "One Click" has the potential to be even better if you get the prize money and make a sequel, and if you change the voices to voice actors.
Ichikawa: As far as I can tell from everyone's opinions, this is almost unanimous. The winner of the Animation Category is "Beyond One Click." Congratulations!
Promotion Category Judging and Announcement
Ichikawa: Next is the "Promotion Category." The nominees are "The Story of Haru and Grandpa - Introduction to the 3-Part Series", "What I Learned After Leaving My Job and Studying IT in Australia", "W Pepper Melon", and "The Last Hug".
Ohsumi: Promotion Category, it's difficult to choose. "W Pepper Melon" is trying to convey something that you don't even know what product it is in the first place (laughs). However, the direction that makes it eerie while using sound effects in the context of horror was interesting as a video beyond AI.
Sadoshima: "W Pepper Melon" is high level. There is a solid direction intention. I wonder what kind of promotion it is? (laughs), but I think it's a win at the point where it made me remember the mysterious product.
Nakajima: I also highly evaluated "W Pepper Melon" in terms of the technical aspects, wondering what kind of prompt it was that produced it. The second and third works are logically good, but what stood out as the "Promotion Category" was this one.
Shirai: There were many submissions from overseas in this category, but "W Pepper Melon" was overwhelming. The expression that "the essence is the product" with just a lump of direction is something that people who know how to make it would do.
Ichikawa: It looks like this one is going to be decided as well. The winner of the Promotion Category is "W Pepper Melon." Congratulations!
Documentary Category Judging and Announcement
Ichikawa: Finally, the "Documentary Category." The nominees are "AUTHENTIC ZERO", "Cold Light - Love in 2040 -", "What Will You Grow Next?", and "A Man's Life".
Shirai: They are all good. "A Man's Life" is the royal road as a MulmoCast paper-cutting show, and it's carefully made. "AUTHENTIC ZERO" has a modern design and UI, and the story is interesting with a horror development in the second half. I'm pushing for "AUTHENTIC ZERO" and "Cold Light."
Nakajima: As a developer, "A Man's Life" is a "MulmoCast Usage Excellence Award" (laughs), but as a work, I thought "Cold Light" was good. While I feel frustrated that the video is being pulled from other tools, it also includes my personal preference for romance.
Sadoshima: It was easier to see the thoughts and commitment of the people who wanted to make "AUTHENTIC ZERO" and "Cold Light." However, I felt that there were no works that deeply explored the question of "What is a documentary made with AI?"
Ohsumi: It's difficult to choose in the Documentary Category. "AUTHENTIC ZERO" and "Cold Light" depict the future beyond using AI, the fear of humans being taken over by their emotions, and I felt the fun as a story. However, it's difficult to say whether this is a documentary. It would have been interesting if I had seen it as SF.
Sadoshima: In terms of the amount of challenge in using AI to create new expressions, "AUTHENTIC ZERO" is the best.
Ichikawa: Opinions are divided, but if Mr. Nakajima puts it in "Cold Light"...?
Nakajima: If I put it in "Spirit", it will be 2 to 1. But the evaluation of "Cold Light" is also high...
Ichikawa: In the end, if we go with a majority vote-like flow... the winner of the Documentary Category is "AUTHENTIC ZERO." Congratulations!
Grand Prize Decision and Final Judging
Ichikawa: Now it's time for the announcement of the Grand Prize. We will select from the following four works that have won each category award.
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Visual Category: "Nameless Person" Tsubasa Kakihara
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Animation Category: "Beyond 1 Click" Kawabe Thinkun
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Promotion Category: "W Pepper Melon" ungr18
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Documentary Category: "AUTHENTIC ZERO" keythpiece
From among these, please discuss from the perspective of "Who would you put in if you were to pay 500,000 yen out of your own pocket", which is worthy of the prize money of 500,000 yen.
Ohsumi: I like "Nameless Person." I feel the most writer's character. Without making AI the theme, he is shaping what he wants to create with the power of AI. I feel the strength of "finishing" it.
Sadoshima: From my point of view, "Who do I want to be in charge of" and "Who is likely to grow in the future", it's "Nameless Person" and "Beyond One Click." In particular, "Nameless Person" seems to have the emotion that he wants to express continuously. I think I can ride on it if he comes to me for advice.
Nakajima: The other three feel like "I made it because there was a contest", but I felt that "Nameless Person" had a deeper motivation, "I originally had something I wanted to say, and I just happened to use the contest as a place."
Shirai: It's a big responsibility, but I also like "Nameless Person." "One Click" is also cute, but it's not enough to end with just being beautiful and cute, and it needs to be re-created from a place where music, sound effects, voice actors, and lines are based on language. In that respect, "Nameless Person" has the roots and soul of a writer who will continue to create, including the composition as a photographer and the "dark things" inside. I think I was there at the moment when this person became famous.
Ichikawa: It looks like it's unanimous. Then, I'll announce it. AI Short Film Festival 2025, the honorable Grand Prize is... "Nameless Person"! Congratulations!!
Judge's Overall Comments and Ending
Ichikawa: Finally, I would like to ask each of the judges to say a few words.
Ohsumi: The last four works were all of high quality, and I was surprised at how far AI has come. This time, there were many works that had "AI" and "My History" as themes, but I hope that next year there will be more works with themes that are not, such as "Nameless Person", that will remain in people's hearts. It was a good contest that showed the current era.
Sadoshima: In manga and movies, people tend to only depict what people in the industry are interested in, but the myriad of things in the world are much more interesting. The more you know about AI, the better you will be able to see it, just like "Cells at Work!" The people who participated this time already have an advantage. We are in an era where side jobs start as careers, so please continue to challenge yourself.
Shirai: The people who made it to the final today may think that they are "professional", but it is precious that the "thoughts" of the people who participated in this tool and contest will continue in the future. Personal "dark experiences" and unreasonable thoughts are the source of creation. The prompt that I wrote when I thought "I'm going to die!" was the best (laughs). AI will shape that. Don't end it today, please continue to create. And please let me produce it with you.
Nakajima: I've felt this since I created MulmoCast, but thanks to AI, the production cost and time have been reduced by an order of magnitude. This is not just a story of "AI stealing jobs", but just as AI can support each student in the field of education, it is now possible to create entertainment that did not exist before, such as "making a song that only you listen to" and "making a video just for someone specific." I want you to enjoy the unimaginable uses that are possible because the cost has been lowered.
Ichikawa: Thank you to all the judges, and to everyone who watched and applied. Thank you very much.
With that, we will end the AI Short Film Festival 2025 Results Announcement Special. Thank you very much.
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Link to this page https://j.aicu.ai/251214