WAIFF Kyoto announces Mariya Ise and KENTO MORI as Official Ambassadors!

The world's first and largest AI film festival, "WORLD AI FILM FESTIVAL 2026 in KYOTO," has announced voice actress Mariya Ise and dance artist KENTO MORI as official ambassadors. Four additional judges, including CM director Shinya Nakajima, have also been announced. At the Japanese edition of the world's largest AI film festival, "WORLD AI FILM FESTIVAL (WAIFF)," two official ambassadors and four additional judges have been announced.

WAIFF 2026 in KYOTO Event Overview

Dates: March 12 (Thursday) - 13 (Friday), 2026 Venue: Rohm Theatre Kyoto, South Hall Public Entry Deadline: February 15 (Sunday), 2026, 23:59 (Japan Time)

WAIFF, founded by Marco Landi, former Apple Computer Europe President and Global COO, is an international film festival exploring the intersection of film and AI. The inaugural festival in Nice, France, in April 2025, attracted over 1,500 entries from 53 countries and regions, with over 2,000 attendees.

Leading up to the main "WAIFF Cannes 2026" event in Cannes in April 2026, preliminary rounds, "Road to WAIFF Cannes 2026", will be held in four cities: Brazil (São Paulo), South Korea (Seoul), China (Wuxi), and Japan (Kyoto).

Official Ambassadors

Mariya Ise (Voice Actress)

Aspired to be an animated film director after watching the movie "Princess Mononoke" as an elementary school student. Made her debut as a voice actress at the age of 16. Since then, she has been active in a wide range of fields, including anime, games, foreign film dubbing, narration, and stage performances. Her main roles include Killua Zoldyck in "HUNTER×HUNTER," Foo Fighters in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean," Eureka in "Pokémon XY," Himeno in "Chainsaw Man," Serie in "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End," Midori Kitakami in "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time," Beth (Anya Taylor-Joy) in the Netflix original series "The Queen's Gambit" (dubbing), and Zara (Joey King) in "A Family Affair" (dubbing). She serves as a PR ambassador for the 3-year young talent development project "Global Anime Challenge," which utilizes the Fund for Strengthening Cultural and Artistic Activities, and participates in initiatives to support young creators who are creating Japanese animation. She also actively appears at anime conventions both domestically and internationally, conveying the appeal of Japanese anime's meticulous techniques and delicate yet powerful expressiveness to fans around the world, transcending national borders. In recent years, she has also taken a strong interest in AI technology and the state of "voice rights," as well as the future of creators' creative activities, and is actively working with many creators and next-generation performers to explore what can be done based on the changes she has perceived at the forefront of the field.

I have been in the world of voice acting for 20 years. In the many works I have been involved in, I have always sincerely asked myself what kind of expression can move people's hearts, as I breathe "life" into characters and ensure that their feelings reach someone's heart. What I have felt in that process is the speed of change and the importance of maintaining a flexible and continuous learning attitude so as not to be left behind by that flow. And now, the existence of AI is posing a major question to our expressions and creative endeavors.

WAIFF is a challenge to that very question. What kind of chemical reaction will be created when human creativity and AI power are combined? Being involved in this event is, for me, "an opportunity to further broaden my sensibilities and open the door to new values in expression." I don't want to end the role of ambassador as just a title, but as a performer and as a member who will think about the future of the voice acting industry together, I want to explore what I can do from now on--that is the first step. Without being complacent with my past experience, I want to face the unknown with sincerity, see the future of expression with my own eyes, feel it with my heart, and demonstrate it through my own practice.

KENTO MORI (Dance Artist)

"The world-renowned dance artist recognized by Michael Jackson and Madonna." While under exclusive contract as Madonna's dancer, he was simultaneously selected as the exclusive dancer for Michael Jackson's "THIS IS IT." Although the contract with Michael did not materialize due to his sudden death, Madonna herself requested a memorial dance, which was performed and broadcast worldwide from the London O2 Arena, where Michael was supposed to perform. As a dancer, he obtained permanent residency in the United States and created and popularized the term "dance artist." Subsequently, he became the first Japanese dancer to sign exclusive contracts with Chris Brown and Usher, and has also participated in projects with Ne-Yo, Ciara, and Michael Jackson's latest album, performing on the world's leading stages and tours. He has also appeared at numerous awards shows, including the Grammy Awards, and has performed in over 200 major cities in 50 countries across 5 continents. In recent years, he has been pursuing new forms of expression that have never existed before, such as incorporating dynamic developments into over 100 original songs and a joint project with the world's leading digital art collective "MomentFactory." In 2023, he directed Madonna's tour, and in 2024, he appeared as a main dancer in Usher's halftime show at the NFL Super Bowl. In Japan, he will be performing at various pavilions, local government projects, and the closing parade of the "2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo)." His activities are diverse, including a double starring performance with Kabuki's treasure "Ichikawa Danjuro" in "THE BUSHIDO," and he continues to be active at the forefront of the entertainment industry around the world. While attracting attention from home and abroad, he is developing the "JAPAN TO THE WORLD" project, which collaborates with various local governments throughout Japan to create SHOW content that combines traditional local culture with dance expression to promote its appeal. KENTO MORI is truly an unprecedented master of dance.

I am honored to have been selected as an ambassador for WAIFF (World AI Film Festival), which will be held for the first time in Japan. In the fields of animation, AI, and LIVE entertainment that merges with them, we will be venturing into possibilities and new horizons of expression that humanity has never seen before. I am truly pleased to be involved in that historical moment from Kyoto, Japan. Past, present, future. Japan, the world, and the universe. Let us take the first step together in illuminating all stories. Let us make our dreams a reality together. Kento Mori

Four Additional Judges Announced

In addition to the previously announced Ryoichi Wada, Daiki Sakurai, Yuichiro Saito, and Otsuichi, four new judges have been added.

Fumiko Futami

Lived in various European and American countries from a young age. After graduating from Sophia University, she worked in foreign-affiliated sales at an advertising agency. She has produced English subtitles for over 100 Japanese films to date. Since 2010, she has been an overseas reporter for NHK's "Radio Midnight Flight" & "Overseas My Asa Letter."

A great movie is one that makes you forget reality for the duration of the viewing. AI, with its limitless technology, can create any character or situation. I am excited and eager to see what kind of characters and stories will be created, and how they will move the hearts of the viewers. I hope to encounter works that make me forget that they are AI-generated by making the most of this unlimited creativity.

Takehiko Hata

Novelist, playwright, director, screenwriter, and film director. Studied under Kohei Tsuka. Made his debut as a novelist with "Suiri Shosetsu" (Mystery Novel), which was adapted into the hit TV drama and film "Unfair." He has also written scripts for "HERO," "Dragon Zakura," and other works.

Unprecedented. That's why it's difficult, that's why it's scary, that's why it's fun, and that's why it's interesting. I wonder what kind of chemical changes will occur from now on.

Kumiko Endo

Writer/Visionary Creator. Completed the feature-length SF film "Matilda: Devil's Gene" (approximately 72 minutes) using generative AI with two people who had no experience in video production in just four months. Special screening at the "AI Film Festival" in November 2025. Currently based in Barcelona, Spain.

I want to meet comrades who rely on the power of "feeling," which is a human specialty, and pour their thoughts into AI, the strongest tool.

Shinya Nakajima

CM Director / Creative Advisor, Tohoku Shinsha / Visiting Professor, Musashino Art University. In 1987, he was one of the first to incorporate digital technology into CM videos, and won the Grand Prix at the 1993 Cannes Advertising Festival for the Nissin Food Cup Noodle "hungry?" series. He has also produced numerous hit works such as Suntory "Combustion System Amino Formula" and "Iemon." In 2024, he took on the challenge of creating a full AI short movie.

New expression technologies will be a very strong ally for new talents who will pioneer the world of the future. The trials and errors and efforts of the creators who are probably engrossed in the new world of expression that is generative AI will surely bear fruit as an expression full of new charm that will capture the hearts of viewers.

"Freedom Ramen" to Sponsor Best AI CM Award

The halal-certified cup ramen "Freedom Ramen," which won the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2023, has been selected as the sponsor for the Best AI CM Award. https://freedom-ramen.myshopify.com

freedom.ramen

freedom-ramen.myshopify.com freedom.ramen

https://freedom-ramen.myshopify.com/

You can challenge yourself to create a CM for the existing cup ramen "FREEDOM RAMEN" (CMs for fictitious products and brands are also acceptable).

The winning creator will receive half a year's worth of cup ramen, including all three Freedom Ramen flavors (seafood/Japanese curry/spicy miso).

Entry Method

Deadline: February 15 (Sunday), 2026, 23:59 (Japan Time)
Entry Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9qHVB7hmy_BHE95R-mm19GoMVf7w7w1XZJMxD0A-WUy80bg/viewform