The first time best animated short film is awarded at Nippon Connection
December 9, 2025 (Tokyo) -- Wacom Co., Ltd announced today that the company is sponsoring the newly-created “Nippon Animation Shorts Award” at the Nippon Connection Film Festival scheduled in June 2026.
Nippon Connection is the world’s largest platform for Japanese film, held annually in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It aims to connect audiences with Japanese culture by showcasing a wide range of Japanese films, from shorts to feature-length productions. In 2025, 20.000 visitors attended the festival.
Against this backdrop, the newly-created “Nippon Animation Shorts Award” will be presented by Wacom and Nippon Connection, with a focus on supporting emerging creative talent from Japan.
From June 2 to 7, 2026, the 26th Nippon Connection Film Festival will screen approximately 100 short and feature-length films from Japan at various venues in Frankfurt am Main. With the new “Nippon Animation Shorts Award”, the festival is expected to further broaden its long-standing commitment to supporting emerging talent and innovative filmmaking.
“Independent and experimental animation is a key driving force behind creative innovation. Young artists deserve visibility and recognition – which is why we are very pleased to sponsor the first “Nippon Animation Shorts Award” and to support the growth journey of new talent.” – Nobu Ide, CEO, Wacom.
As the leading player in digital drawing tablets and pen displays, widely used in many animation studios worldwide, Wacom is deeply committed to promoting the next generation of artists in creative industries. The new partnership with Nippon Connection underscores the shared aim of supporting independent animation and empowering young filmmakers from Japan.
The award is aimed at animated short films with a maximum running time of 20 minutes that were produced between 2024 and 2026 and will celebrate at least their German premiere at the festival. Eligible are productions from Japan or films directed by Japanese filmmakers. From all submissions, Nippon Connection will curate three competition programs, from which a diverse international jury will choose the award winner. The prize of 2,000 Euros will be presented during the Nippon Connection Film Festival.
Submissions are now open and can be made via the festival website NipponConnection.com until February 1, 2026.
About Wacom
Founded in 1983, Wacom is a “Technology Leadership Company” delivering wide ranging experiences based on digital pen technologies, according to customer needs. As an “instrument craftsperson,” Wacom continues to explore the ultimate experience in drawing and writing – and beyond, pioneering the broader inking experience. Being a global company based in Japan with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries and areas. The advanced technology of Wacom’s pen tablets, interactive pen displays, and digital interface solutions have been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provide business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality. The company also offers its products as OEM solutions to leading manufacturers. Wacom’s interface technology is also offered as an integrated solution to strategic partners. Most tablet device and PC manufacturers count on the advanced features and reliability to deliver a superior user interface experience.