I was first of all surprised that such an ephemeral and delicate expression was possible with the low resolution and short-duration loop of GIF. A huge factor in awarding this prize to this GIF is the perception of frame that it manifests, which is something only an illustrator could achieve. The shadows erase the presence of the “frame” itself and break down the barrier between the viewer and the animation, drawing the viewer into the world of the animation. Realism artwork usually depicts the whole scene, the subject and the background in their entirety, but in this image, the subject with watercolor texture remains still. At first glance, the shadow appears to be a three-layer loop but when you take a closer look, it’s actually many layers, and this diligence creates the image’s calmness. It’s probably not something easy to understand to those who are used to the baroque-style animation of late, but by boldly avoiding the trend and focusing only on transience, it exudes something profound that’s similar to haiku and impressionist paintings that embrace the sense of time and atmosphere. We have a lot to learn from this creator who steers clear of superficial techniques and stays true to one’s viewpoint.

Ryoji Yamada, animation filmmaker

First of all, I was amazed by the creator’s passion in taking a GIF to this length! I was first curious about the size of the waterwheel and the drawings (probably small), and I was also amused when I imagined the creator recording this at a river in the neighborhood (probably). It is a reinterpretation of the image format, and we rarely see something so down to earth at this day and age, and the blatantly straightforward title is also appealing. Is it a message to the modern artists who need electricity to create their works? My only disappointment was the drawings of the man who simply runs. Why not take advantage of the loop and draw a waterwheel that continues to turn forever and ever? But then again, it might be the creator who’s running. Perhaps it’s not meant to be a sophisticated image that uses clever tricks, and perhaps the creator wanted to declare a determination to keep running. I’d like to take this opportunity to express my support of the creator’s unpretentiousness.

Ryoji Yamada, animation filmmaker

This experimental GIF animation with a palette of seven dot animations on the upper left corner of the screen is like watching a pixel art of outer space that perfectly reflects its title, “Astronaut,” and it stands out amidst the other pieces submitted by the same creator. It is visually chaotic but is also emotionally soothing, making the viewer feel like watching it over and over. The creator, a virtuoso of pixel art that continues to publish works, pursues to wow the viewer with overwhelming density instead of stylish visuals. I present this award with respect to the GIF animation whose aesthetics significantly transcend the limitations of low resolution that the creator has chosen to express art.

Tomoko Ono, chief director of NEW CHITOSE 2022

The dynamic and lively animation with a striking perspective. The layout that effectively uses white space. Witty humor that makes the viewers chuckle. They’re the charms of this animation that the creator made with thoughts about her homeland of Ukraine. Animation films and TV series generally require mind-boggling labor and are consequently difficult to instantly reflect the interests of the times. This piece of work that portrays a recent event captures the essence of GIF animation. While it illustrates a specific incident that’s occurring in real time, it’s also a clever allegory and a universal protest toward all kinds of violence, which I greatly appreciate. In comparison to film and television series, GIF animation is a form of expression that was familiarized through social media. It makes sense to use GIF for this animation that empowers the weak who are persecuted. They’re the reasons why I chose this work, but in a nutshell, I believe it deserves the Special Jury Award not only for its attractive visuals but also for the creator’s deep understanding of the characteristics of GIF animation and using it as an artistic social intervention.

Daisuke Tanaka, animation researcher

It is an intriguing animation that takes advantage of the GIF loop and captures the viewers’ attention while they eagerly wait for the fingertips to touch. The Creation of Adam, the theme of this animation, illustrates the moment God gives life to Adam and is a religious painting that everybody knows. This animation was given this award for its unique concept of showing Adam and God touching fingers from the other side and its clever use of the GIF loop.

GIFMAGAZINE, Inc. https://gifmagazine.co.jp/