OrigamiAnimated Short Film

Winner of the Student Academy Awards, the first Japanese work to receive the honor, and shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards in the Animated Short Film category. A CGI-animated short film exploring the possibilities of traditional Japanese paper folding. Every element is grounded in authentic origami technique: a dedicated workflow was built to reproduce the thickness of the paper and the internal structures formed by folding, so that everything on screen can be folded from a real square sheet. The film features an original character designed with authentic origami methods, alongside traditional models such as cranes and frogs. From a square sheet into countless forms, and back to a square when unfolded, it mirrors life rising from the earth and returning to it.

日本作品として初めて学生アカデミー賞を受賞し、第97回アカデミー賞 短編アニメーション部門のショートリストにも選ばれたフルCGアニメーション作品。日本舞踊に合わせて、正方形の紙がさまざまな折り紙の生き物へと折られていく様子を描く。折り紙は「切る」工程を使わず、「折る」という変形だけで形を表現する。正方形からさまざまな形へと変化し、広げれば元の正方形に戻る。その特徴を、土から生まれ土へ還る「生命」のイメージと重ねた。紙の厚みや折り重なりによる内部構造を忠実に再現する独自のワークフローを構築し、映像に登場するすべてのものが、実際の正方形の紙から折ることができる。オリジナルのメインキャラクターに加え、鶴や蛙などの伝承折り紙も多数登場する。

Tools: Autodesk Maya, Houdini, Arnold, Nuke, Premiere Pro

Awards & Selections

• 97th Academy Awards, Animated Short Film Category – Shortlist
• 51st Student Academy Awards, Animation Category – Winner (Silver)
• 20th Annual Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival – Official Selection
• SIGGRAPH Electronic Theater 2024 – Official Selection
• Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2024 – Official Selection
• 30th Campus Genius Contest, Excellence Award – Winner