December 6, 2018

Yoshimi Itazu's directorial debut Pigtails and other short films from Production I.G are screening at the Akiba Pass Festival 2019, the touring event focusing on Japanese animation to be held from January 26 through February 10 at several locations in Germany and Austria.

The complete line-up, screening under the collective title Legends of Production I.G includes:

- Pigtails (28', 2015)
Directed by Yoshimi Itazu (Miss Hokusai, Welcome to the Ballroom)
A thought-provoking metaphorical fable portraying the unspeakable feelings that engulfed an entire nation in the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima disaster.
Winner of 24 awards.

- Kick-Heart (12', 2013)
Directed by Masaaki Yuasa (Tatami Galaxy, Lu Over the Wall)
A love story between two people that each have a secret to hide. One a pro-wrestler, the other a nun. Losing never felt so good.
Annecy 2013: Official Short Competition
Fantasia 2013: Best Animated Short Winner

- Li'l Spider Girl (25', 2012)
Directed by Toshihisa Kaiya (FLCL Progressive ep 2, Haikyu!!)
A broken antiquarian meets with a scared, eight-legged baby arachnid slipped out from an ancient book. And she's the sweetest thing in the world... or not?
SICAF 2013: Grand Prize Winner
Sitges 2013: Focus Asia Jury's Special Mention

- Drawer Hobs (24', 2011)
Directed by Kazuchika Kise (Ghost in the Shell, Made in Abyss)
Noeru is a single woman with an uninteresting job. One day her life changes suddenly as six weird kids materialize in her tiny apartment....
SICAF 2011: Official Short Competition
Sitges 2011: Official Anima't Competition

- Oval x Over (9', 2005)
Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi (Gurren Lagann, KILL la KILL)
An over-the-top parody of the sports anime classics of the '70s, cleverly mixing a professional-style live commentary of a car race with flashbacks unveiling the three main characters' past, with both dramatic and hilarious results.
Running against destiny was never this much... hot?

Screening schedule:
Date: January 26, 2018 (Sat)
Time: 17:25
Place: Hamburg / UCI Mundsburg

Date: January 27, 2018 (Sun)
Time: 15:00
Place: Berlin / CineStar Original

Date: February 2, 2018 (Sat)
Time: 12:30
Place: Frankfurt / CineStar Metropolis

Date: February 2, 2018 (Sat)
Time: 17:30
Place: Köln / Cinedom

Date: February 2, 2018 (Sat)
Time: 10:00
Place: Leipzig / Cineplex

Date: February 2, 2018 (Sat)
Time: 12:30
Place: Pasching / Hollywood Megaplex Plus City

Date: February 3, 2018 (Sun)
Time: 17:30
Place: Dortmund / CineStar

Date: February 9, 2018 (Sat)
Time: 12:30
Place: Nürnberg / CINECITTA' Multiplexkino

Date: February 9, 2018 (Sat)
Time: 15:00
Place: München / mathäser Filmpalast

Date: February 10, 2018 (Sun)
Time: 12:30
Place: Stuttgart / Metropol Filmtheater

Date: February 10, 2018 (Sun)
Time: 15:00
Place: Wien / UCI Kinowelt Millennium City

For more information, please visit the Akiba Pass Festival official website (German only).

© 2015 Machiko Kyo/SHUEISHA, ITSV
© 2012 Masaaki Yuasa, Production I.G
© 2012 Production I.G
© 2011 Kazuchika Kise/Production I.G/Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs
© 2005 Imaitoonz/Production I.G