Transcosmos AI Film Wins Award at World Festival in Kyoto
NIKINOKUNI-TWO SEASON COUNTRY, a short animation created by transcosmos creative director Tomo Hibino, won the Best PocketANIME category at the World AI Film Festival 2026 in Kyoto this March. The festival marks the first time the international event has been held in Japan.
The film depicts a future Japan where climate change has eliminated spring and autumn, leaving only extreme summers and freezing winters. A young fox girl searches for a lost cherry blossom across this transformed landscape.
The World AI Film Festival, founded by Marco Landi (former President of Apple Computer Europe and Global COO), received over 1,500 submissions from 53 countries at its inaugural edition in Nice last April. This year's Kyoto edition drew submissions from across the globe, with the Best PocketANIME category recognizing short-form generative video work.
Hibino's film functions as both a climate warning and a statement of hope. The story explores environmental consequences while maintaining focus on human resilience and the search for what has been lost.
For creatives working with AI tools, the recognition signals growing opportunities in AI-driven animation and filmmaking. AI for Creatives resources now cover the technical and conceptual skills needed to produce work at this level.
The festival's expansion to Japan reflects increasing investment in AI film production across Asia. Submissions and attendance have grown substantially since the inaugural event last year.
You can view the award-winning film on YouTube. The World AI Film Festival maintains a public archive of finalists and winners.
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