The Star Village Achi Tourism Promotion Council, based in Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture, known for Japan's best starry sky, will be hosting the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2020 in Achi - Japan's Best Starry Sky Film Festival - from August 8th to August 16th, 2020, at Fujimidai Kogen Ropeway Heavens Sonohara, the heavenly paradise and venue for Japan's best starry sky night tour, Namiai Park, known for Japan's best starry sky, and Hirugami Onsen. Enjoy Japan's best starry sky and short films at these locations.


The starry sky of Achi Village was recognized as the number one "place suitable for stargazing" (2006) in the Ministry of the Environment's nationwide continuous stargazing observation survey. The "Heavenly Paradise: Japan's Best Starry Sky Night Tour" was launched on August 1, 2012, with the aim of utilizing this "Japan's Best Starry Sky" to revitalize the region and tourism, and to attract more visitors. As of the end of March 2020, a total of 770,000 people have attended these events. Last July, the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2019 in Achi - Japan's Best Starry Sky Film Festival - was held in this village, Japan's best starry sky, followed by the Japan's Best Starry Sky Short Film Festival by ShortShorts in September. Over 13,000 visitors attended and enjoyed the short films. Following on from last year, it has been decided that the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2020 in Achi - Japan's Best Starry Sky Film Festival - will be held again. Enjoy a luxurious time under the stars and with the music of high-quality films.

【Event Overview】

■Event Name
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2020 in Achi -Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Film Festival-
(SSFF & ASIA 2020 in ACHI -Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Film Festival-)
■Dates
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 - Sunday, August 16th, 2020
■Event Time
Screening times vary depending on the venue
■Venue
1: Heavenly Paradise, Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Night Tour Venue
Fujimidai Plateau Ropeway Heavens Sonohara 3731-4 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture 395-0304
2: Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Namiai Park Venue 3731-4 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture 395-0501 1192-356 Namiai, Achi village, Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture
3: Hirugami Onsen Venue
1. Hirugami Kiosk 347-1 Hirugami, Chiri, Achi village, Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture 395-0304
2. Yurui no Yado Esan 407 Chiri, Achi village, Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture 395-0304
3. Kaiseki and Robata no Yado Yoshiya 503-2 Chiri, Achi village, Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture 395-0304
■Price
Prices vary depending on the venue
■Organizer
Star Village Achi Tourist Promotion Council
■Planning and Supervision
Short Shorts Executive Committee
■Inquiries
Achi☆Hirugami Tourism Bureau 0265-43-3001
■Website
http://info.sva.jp/shortshorts2020/


【Heavenly Paradise Night Tour Venue Overview】
■Dates
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 - Sunday, August 16th, 2020
■Times
17:30 - 20:00 Gondolas heading up run
19:00 - 20:00 Film screening
20:30 - 21:00 Lights out time
21:00 onwards Gondolas heading down run
■Venue
Fujimidai Kogen Ropeway Heavens Sonohara 3731-4 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture 395-0304
■Price
Adults and high school students: 3,200 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 1,600 yen, infants free *Gondola ride included
■Other
*The night tour operates in two parts, but there are no screenings in two parts.
*The gondola ride time is approximately 15 minutes one way. If you plan to watch from 19:00, we recommend a ticket for 17:30-18:30.


【Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Namiai Park Venue Overview】
■Dates
Saturday, August 8, 2020 - Wednesday, August 12, 2020
■Times
19:00 - 20:00 Film Screening
20:00 - 20:45 Stargazing Party
20:45 - 22:00 Free Viewing
■Venue
Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Namiai Park 1192-356 Namiai, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture 395-0501
■Price
A: Movie ticket
Adults and high school students: 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 250 yen, infants: free
B: Movie + stargazing ticket
Adults and high school students: 1,800 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 900 yen, infants: free


【Hirugami Onsen Venue Overview】
■Dates
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 - Sunday, August 16th, 2020
■Times
1. Hirugami Kiosk 16:00 - 17:00
2. Yurui no Yado Esan 22:00 - 23:00
3. Kaiseki and Robata no Yado Yoshiya 22:00-23:00
■Venue
1. Hirugami Kiosk 347-1 Hirugami, Chiri, Achi village, Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture 395-0304
2. Yurui no Yado Esan 407 Chiri, Achi village, Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture 395-0304
3. Kaiseki to Robata no Yado Yoshiya 503-2 Chiri, Achi village, Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture 395-0304
■Prices and conditions
1. Hirugami Kiosk
One order required - free viewing
*Those who order a drink or sweets at the cafe can view the exhibition for free.
2. Yurui no Yado Esan
Hotel guests only - free viewing
*Guests staying at Yurui no Yado Esan or accommodations in Achi village can view the exhibition for free.
*Not available to guests other than those staying at accommodation facilities within Achi Village.
3. Kaiseki and Robata Inn Yoshiya
Limited to guests - free viewing
*Guests staying at Kaiseki and Robata Inn Yoshiya or accommodation facilities within Achi Village can view the show for free.
*Not available to guests other than those staying at accommodation facilities within Achi Village.


About the Implementation of a Special Project Sponsored or Co-Sponsored by the Japan Expo



In collaboration with the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA), an international short film festival accredited by the Academy Awards, which is holding its 22nd year this year, the Star Village Achi Visitor Attraction Promotion Council, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and the Japan Arts Council will implement a project sponsored or co-hosted by the Japan Expo in 2020 that utilizes the characteristics of short films (short films, videos) collected from around the world to explore the uniquely Japanese aesthetic sensibility represented by the ancient Japanese concepts of "wabi-sabi" and "iki" from a global aesthetic sensibility.
Why not take this opportunity to experience and reflect on the beauty of Japan once again?

【SSFF & ASIA 2020 in ACHI Japan Expo Special Event Event Summary】
■Dates
Sunday 9th and Monday 10th August 2020
■Event Times
17:30 - 20:00 Gondola ride up
19:00 - 20:00 Film screening
20:30 - 21:00 Lights out
21:00 onwards Gondola ride down
■Venue
Fujimidai Kogen Ropeway Heavens Sonohara 3731-4 Chisato, Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture 395-0304
■Price
Adults and high school students: 3,200 yen; Elementary and junior high school students: 1,600 yen; Infants Free (gondola fare included) ■Other *The night tour will be open in two parts, but there will be no screenings in two parts. *The gondola ride time is approximately 15 minutes one way. For those planning to watch from 7pm, we recommend a ticket for 5:30pm to 6:30pm. ■Organizers Agency for Cultural Affairs/Japan Arts Council ■Planning and Supervision Star Village Achi Tourist Promotion Council/Pacific Voice Inc. ■Inquiries Achi☆Hirugami Tourism Bureau 0265-43-3001 ■Website http://info.sva.jp/shortshorts2020/japan-expo/ "SSFF & ASIA 2020 in ACHI" will be held in Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture, which has been certified by the Ministry of the Environment as having "the best starry sky in Japan."
In this village, where beautiful nature remains, a short film program specially selected by SSFF & ASIA, "Considering Japanese Beauty from Global Beauty," as well as a selection of films from around the world, will be screened all at once.


COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures

During SSFF & ASIA 2020 in ACHI - Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Film Festival -, we will be taking measures to prevent infection to ensure the safety of our guests and employees. 。
I. Employees will wear masks or face shields
II. Employees will wash their hands as appropriate (approximately 30 seconds)
III. Alcohol-based disinfectant will be provided throughout the venue for customers
IV. Strengthened disinfection within the facility (regular disinfection of handrails, doorknobs, and other areas that are touched by an unspecified number of people)
V. Employee health management (anyone who is feeling unwell or has a fever will be asked to stay home)
VI. Please be mindful of maintaining distance from others to avoid "crowding, closed spaces, and close contact"
■Request to customers
Please understand the purpose of preventing the spread of infectious diseases and cooperate with the following:
I. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, chills, or fatigue, please consult a medical institution before visiting and follow their instructions to receive treatment at a designated medical institution.
II. Please wear a mask to prevent infection.
III. Alcohol-based disinfectant will be provided within the facility. Please cooperate with taking sufficient infection control measures.
IV. If you feel unwell during your visit, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff immediately. V. If you have a fever or other symptoms, you will not be allowed to participate.


Message from Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
Representative, Bessho Tetsuya
We are very pleased that the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2020 in Achi - Japan's No. 1 Starry Sky Film Festival - will be held for the second year. The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2020, originally scheduled to be held in Tokyo in June, has been postponed until autumn or later due to the spread of COVID-19, making this year's first SSFF & Asia in Achi Village.

In addition to a selection of exceptional films, including past SSFF & Asia award-winning works, we have also prepared a "Japan Expo Special Program," a project sponsored and co-sponsored by the Japan Expo in 2020, which brings together works that capture Japanese beauty from around the world. In addition to last year's Night Tour venue and Namiai Park venue, this year's festival will also include the addition of the Hirugami Onsen venue, allowing you to fully experience Star Village Achi. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy short films on the big screen.


What is the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia?
Actor Tetsuya Bessho, who is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), founded the festival in 1999 with the desire to introduce short films, which he encountered in the United States, to Japan as a new video genre. In 2001, the name was changed to "Short Shorts Film Festival (SSFF)", and in 2004 it was certified as an Academy Award-recognized film festival. Also in the same year, "Short Shorts Film Festival Asia (co-hosted by SSFF ASIA: Tokyo Metropolitan Government)" was launched with the aim of disseminating new Asian video culture and nurturing up-and-coming young filmmakers. The film festival is now held under the collective name "SSFF & ASIA," and as of 2019, it has become an event that has attracted a total of over 420,000 visitors.

In 2018, to commemorate the festival's 20th anniversary, the festival's highest award, the Grand Prix, was renamed the "George Lucas Award," named after director George Lucas (Star Wars).


Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture
Achi Village is located at the southern tip of Nagano Prefecture, a quiet village nestled in the mountains known for Hirugami Onsen and Hanamomo no Sato. Hirugami Onsen, which first emerged in 1973, is an alkaline simple sulfur spring with a pH of 9.7. Its smooth, viscous waters feel like soaking in warm lotion. It's also known as the "beauty skin bath" because it leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. Additionally, Achi Village was recognized as the number one "place best suited for stargazing" in a nationwide stargazing observation survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment in 2006.


Star Village Achi Tourism Promotion Council
The starry sky of Achi Village was recognized as the number one "place best suited for stargazing" in a nationwide stargazing observation survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment in 2006. It was established in 2012 with the aim of utilizing this "best starry sky in Japan" to revitalize the region and tourism, and to attract more visitors. The "Paradise in the Sky - Japan's Best Starry Sky Night Tour" began on August 1, 2012. The "Sea of Clouds & Starry Sky - Paradise in the Sky - Unkai Harbor" began on October 18, 2014. The "Paradise in the Sky Winter Night Tour" began on December 3, 2016. As of the end of March 2020, a total of 770,000 people have visited the events.

■Star Village Achi Tourist Promotion Council Website: http://info.sva.jp/



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