"Koto-no-Hashi" Holds Screening Event of Films with Automatically Generated Subtitles Using System Under Development – Short Films from World's Top 3 Film Festivals to be Shown at 3 Domestic Events

"Koto-no-Hashi," active at "100BANCH," a future creation hub that collaborates with the next generation to create new value under the concept of "An experimental zone to enrich the world 100 years from now," held a screening of films subtitled using their in-development automatic subtitle generation system. The subtitles were generated for the foreign language short film "Salomé" directed by Chen Yi, which was theatrically released on Saturday, June 27, at the independent theater Cinema House Otsuka in Toshima Ward. Additionally, subtitles were created for "The Last Spring," "Who Loves the Sun," and "An Odd Turn," award-winning and selected works from the Cannes, Venice, and Berlin International Film Festivals, with a screening event held on Saturday, July 4. From Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12, at Shibuya 100BANCH's "Nananana Festival 2026," these and other short films will be screened with automatically generated subtitles, and a hands-on experience of the subtitle generation system will also be offered.

System Developed to Automatically Output Subtitle Files from Video Files

"Koto-no-Hashi" is developing a system that automatically outputs subtitle files simply by inputting a video file. The aim is not just direct translation but to create translated subtitles as a film viewing experience.

Background of Development

The barrier of subtitles hinders the international distribution of films beyond language.

Domestic independent filmmakers need to prepare English subtitles to apply for international film festivals. However, commissioning professional subtitle translators incurs high costs and requires a certain production period. For independent productions, where filmmakers often self-fund, the cost of subtitle creation itself becomes a significant barrier to entry.

Conversely, there are many excellent foreign films, but without distribution and subtitle production, there is no means for them to reach Japanese audiences, leaving many works undiscovered and unshown.

Track Record of Demonstration Experiments – From the Cannes Film Festival to Utilization in Domestic Cinemas

Case Study Presented at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in May 2026

In May of this year, Kazuhiro Kumagai, producer of "Koto-no-Hashi," participated in the 79th Cannes Film Festival. He presented prototypes of Japanese to English subtitles generated from independent works directed by himself and project leader Ryo Sakamoto to film industry professionals there. Film festival representatives from around the world experienced this new subtitle technology.

Cooperation: Noadd Inc. (Official HP: http://noadd.today/)

First Use of Automatic Subtitle Generation System in a Tokyo Cinema in June

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Cinema House Otsuka (Toshima Ward, Tokyo) during the screening event "Independent Film Screening: Cinema on the Borderline" (Part 3), "Koto-no-Hashi" conducted its first subtitle screening in a theatrical environment.

Detailed Release: https://intro.ne.jp/contents/2026/06/24_2030.html

Following the screening, a survey on subtitle quality was conducted among attendees. The satisfaction level averaged 3.4 on a 5-point scale. Free-response comments included feedback such as, "I didn't realize it was automatically generated until the survey was requested. The quality was so natural it felt like the unique rawness of an independent film," indicating the practical potential of the system.

Screenings in July of Films from the World's Top 3 Film Festivals (Cannes, Venice, Berlin) with Subtitles

In collaboration with SEAMES Inc. (Official HP: https://www.seame-s.com/), a Tokyo-based company addressing social issues through art, media, and entertainment, the first screening event of "Unreleased Film Club" was held. This initiative discovers, acquires, and screens films that are acclaimed at international film festivals but remain unreleased in Japan, creating a space for dialogue.

"The Last Spring," selected for the Short Film Competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival and screened for the first time this year, along with "Who Loves the Sun," winner of the Best Short Film Award in the Orizzonti section at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, and "An Odd Turn," winner of the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, were screened with automatically generated subtitles by "Koto-no-Hashi" for their Japan premieres.

These films, originally in French, Spanish, and Arabic respectively, allowed viewers to access information conveyed only through dialogue thanks to the subtitles. Professional subtitlers provided feedback on the current accuracy and areas for improvement in AI-generated subtitles, leading to active discussions about future prospects.

Daisuke Urano, a film producer who participated in the film viewing and discussion on the day, commented, "Films have an aspect of 'cultural sharing.' However, one of the financial barriers to bringing excellent foreign short films to Japan is localization. This 'revolution in the subtitle approach' holds great value. Lowering the hurdle for localization and increasing opportunities to access cutting-edge global expressions and ideas at low cost can provide new stimulation to domestic creatives and audiences, potentially becoming a powerful catalyst to invigorate the stagnant film industry."

About the Experience Event at "Nananana Festival 2026"

"Koto-no-Hashi" will exhibit at "Nananana Festival 2026," held at Shibuya 100BANCH from Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12, offering screenings of subtitled films and a hands-on experience. In addition to screenings of award-winning and selected films from the world's top 3 film festivals with subtitles, there will be a simple explanation of the subtitle generation process, and participants can even experience creating English subtitles for their own video works.

Event Outline

Event: Nananana Festival 2026 DEMO DAY "Subtitle Festival ~An Attempt at Automatic Subtitle Generation and Its Background~"

Date & Time: Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Sunday, July 12, 2026, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Venue: 100BANCH 2F (3-27-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

Scheduled Screenings (subject to change)

<Overseas Works → Japanese Subtitles>

"The Last Spring" (Original Title: DERNIER PRINTEMPS) (2026 Production, 15 min.)

Language Used: French / Subtitles Created: Japanese Subtitles

Director: Mathilde BÉDOUET / Voice Actor: Caroline KRIEG / Production Companies: Les Films du chou, Luzeronde Films

Awards: Selected for the Short Film Competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival (2026)

Synopsis: Marion and Camille, both 15 years old, are best friends. With anticipation and excitement, they head to a southern island for their final school trip. It is a time filled with new experiences, and at the same time, a moment when the days without worries cruelly come to an end.

★ Scheduled for public screening from 7:00 PM on Friday, July 10, at Yagura Space.

"Who Loves The Sun" (2024 Production, 19 min.)

Language Used: Arabic / Subtitles Created: Japanese Subtitles

Director: Arshia Shakiba / Starring: Mahmood AL SALEH / Production Company: Edessa production

Awards: Best Short Film Award, Orizzonti Section, 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024)

Synopsis:

Set in the war-torn northern Syria, this film delves into the harsh world of an informal oil refinery and the reality of the people living in this "post-apocalyptic" land. Mahmood is one of the central figures in these operations, navigating a difficult working environment and complex regional dynamics.

★ Partial screening scheduled from 7:00 PM on Friday, July 10, at Yagura Space.

"An Odd Turn" (2024 Production, 22 min.)

Language Used: Spanish / Subtitles Created: Japanese Subtitles

Director: Francisco LEZAMA / Starring: Laila Maltz, Paco Gorriz / Production Companies: 36 Caballos, Un Puma, The Zanuck Company, Infinity Hill

Awards: Golden Bear for Best Short Film, Short Film Competition Section, 74th Berlin International Film Festival (2024)

Synopsis: Lucrecia, who works as a museum security guard, struggles with inflation in Argentina as the economy collapses. One night, spurred by an impromptu pendulum divination, she gambles her severance pay on a speculative trade. Her life spirals into chaos.

<Japanese Works → English Subtitles>

"Suddenly, Excuse Me!" (2021 Production, 194 min.)

Language Used: Japanese / Subtitles Created: English Subtitles

General Director: Kazuhiro Kumagai / Directors: 180 Student Directors

Synopsis: A feature-length omnibus film produced entirely remotely by approximately 100 universities nationwide. The project was initiated due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the suspension of extracurricular activities. A total of 500 students created video works of less than one minute each, which were then compiled into a single film.

"God's Will Hunting" (2021 Production, 59 min.)

Language Used: Japanese / Subtitles Created: English Subtitles

Director: Ryo Sakamoto / Starring: Hikari Shimizu, Reo Uchimura

Awards: Selected for Hamburg Japanese Film Festival 2022, Selected for Hamamatsu Film Festival 2022

Synopsis: On his 18th birthday, the protagonist Aki sees a letter. Aki learns that he was raised to be an organ donor and will soon be sold to his parents, prompting him to escape.

New "Bridge of Words" for Video: An Experiential Project to Create and Take Home Subtitles for Your Work

This project not only allows you to watch films with subtitles but also to create subtitles for your own video works. Works submitted in advance will have subtitles generated by the system under development, and you can check the status of the subtitles at the venue during Nananana Festival. The created subtitle data (.srt file) can be taken home. This booth offers a casual opportunity to experience the potential of subtitles, so we look forward to your submissions.

[Application and On-site Flow]

Apply for your work via this form (subtitles will be created in advance).

*Please apply by 11:59 PM the day before your planned visit.

Visit the venue (100BANCH 2F booth) and confirm the actual subtitles.

Take home the subtitle data (.srt file).

Work Application Form: https://forms.gle/p9NnXSbCM2urnKLm6

Future Developments

Based on the screenings at "Unreleased Film Club" and the experiential exhibition at "Nananana Festival 2026," the automatic subtitle generation system will be further refined. Through continued demonstration experiments, including future co-hosting of "Unreleased Film Club," and expansion of multilingual support, the aim is to provide subtitle generation for unreleased foreign films and to offer the system to independent filmmakers applying to international film festivals and markets.

Introduction to "Koto-no-Hashi" Members

Ryo Sakamoto

Born in 1996, graduated from the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. During university, he was active in the film production club Spica 1895 as a director, cinematographer, and editor. His directorial work "The Feeling of Being Wet in the Rain" (2018) won the Newcomer Award at the Hamamatsu Film Festival. He currently works as a data scientist while directing, filming, and editing short dramas for TikTok as part of "Minba-su Drama." He is a core member of "Unreleased Film Club."

Kazuhiro Kumagai

Born in 1998. Film director and producer. In July 2023, he was responsible for selecting works for screening at "NEXT MOVIE PARTY" held at Shibuya LOFT9, organizing screenings of domestic directors' works that had received awards or selections at the world's top three film festivals. In February 2024, he organized special screenings including "Synonyms," winner of the Golden Bear at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. From July to September 2025, he was in charge of selecting theatrical releases for "Dai-Hachi Eiga," a cinema in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. He currently plans and presides over "Unreleased Film Club."

About 100BANCH

"100BANCH" is a complex facility that collaborates with the next generation to create new value under the concept of "An experimental zone to enrich the world 100 years from now." Established on July 7, 2017, to commemorate Panasonic's 100th anniversary, with the aspiration that "a gathering of young energy unbound by convention will enrich the world 100 years from now."

Since its establishment, it has supported the first steps of ambitious young individuals in creating the future by providing a "place" for 24/7 experimentation, advice from leading mentors in various fields, and opportunities for dissemination through over 100 events and large exhibitions annually. As of March 2026, 404 projects have been selected out of approximately 1,220 applications, and acceleration support is provided.

Homepage: https://100banch.com/

"Koto-no-Hashi" was selected as part of the GARAGE Program (104th cohort) and is active at 100BANCH.