HAN Ji-won （Korea）Animation director Han Ji-won, an animation director from Korea National University of Arts, gained recognition with her award-winning short Kopi Luwak. She directed Clearer Than You Think, Recipe to My Daughter, Amanza, That Summer, and the short The Sea on the Day When the Magic Returns, invited to Sundance. Her latest work, Lost in Starlight (2025), is Netflix’s first Korean original animated feature. She continues expanding her scope across independent shorts, commercials, and feature animation. Message
DigiCon is a wonderful opportunity to discover outstanding animation from across Asia. Each work offers a unique perspective, reflecting not only the cultural traditions and identities of its country, but also the deeply personal creative vision of its artist. I was truly inspired by the incredible diversity, originality, and artistic depth of all the directors and creators who shared their work. I hope you continue sharing your unique stories with the world.

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MATSUMOTO Noriko （Japan） CEO, nori Inc. / Producer, dwarf studios Matsumoto began her career as a commercial producer. A major turning point came with the creation of Domo-kun in 1998 and Komaneko for the Storyboard Universe exhibition in 2003, leading her to expand her producing career into animation.
In 2003, she joined the launch of dwarf studios, where she helped expand the studio’s activities internationally, building on its strengths in stop-motion animation and character creation. She was also among the early producers to collaborate with global streaming platforms. Following the success of Netflix’s Rilakkuma series, she continued to explore new forms of visual storytelling, bringing together diverse creative talents while maintaining a strong foundation in stop-motion and character-driven content. In 2025, she founded NORI Inc.
Her recent projects include HIDARI, an ambitious stop-motion film acclaimed for its dynamic action, and the short film Bottle George, created in collaboration with Akihiro Nishino and Daisuke “Dice” Tsutsumi of Tonko House, which was shortlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards. While animation remains at the heart of her work, she continues to expand her creative activities into character development, events, publishing, and other forms of entertainment. Message
Thinking and planning are pure joy, offering endless possibilities.
However, bringing a vision to life is tough, filled with obstacles to overcome. That is why every completed work is so precious.
Crucially, films are made to be seen, not just made. I believe this is precisely why film festivals exist.
To all the works born from overcoming these challenges—we are eagerly waiting for you!

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MIZUE Mirai （Japan）Animation Creator Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1981, MIZUE Mirai is an animation director who creates non-narrative pieces with cellular and geometric motifs. Known for his unique, eye-catching abstract animations, Mizue is involved in a wide variety of projects that include independent animation and music videos. Nominated at all four of the world’s top animated film festivals (Annecy, Ottawa, Hiroshima, and Zagreb), his most famous work, MODERN No. 2 enjoyed its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and won the Original Music Prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The world premiere of MIZUE’s Wonder took place at the Berlin International Film Festival and went on to win the CANAL + Creative Aid prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. He is currently working on his first full-length animation, tentatively titled Mirai Mizue’s Journey to the West. Message
It has been just over 120 years since the birth of animated cinema. While this represents a relatively short history when compared to art history as a whole, there is still immense potential for entirely unseen forms of animation expression to emerge through fresh ideas and innovative techniques.
This year as well, I truly look forward to encountering exciting, boundary-pushing animation works created by young explorers of the medium who are pushing those limits.

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Neco Lo Che-ying　 （Hong Kong）Animation Director and critic Neco Lo che-ying is an experienced animation producer and director who began working as an independent animator in 1977. Most of his animation shorts won gold awards at the Hong Kong Independent Short Film Festival ( now IFVA) and were shown at numerous international film festivals. He worked as animation designer at Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) between1978 and 1993, and was responsible for numerous educational animation and opening titles.
Since the 80s, he has written extensively about animation history as well as teaching animation principles in various university and colleges. In recent years, Neco has been a tireless campaigner for Hong Kong animation, and has curated a number of exhibitions on history of Hong Kong and Taiwanese animation since 2006.
He currently serves as the secretary general of the Hong Kong animation industry and cultural association and is producing a new animation feature in Hong Kong. Message
To animation creators,
Your work begins where no model can go: in the lived feeling of a scene, the
awkward first sketch, the late-night choice that only a person would make. AI
can speed a render or suggest a pose, but it cannot care about a character
the way you do, or carry a story that only you have lived. Keep drawing,
timing, and revising by hand. That human mark is what audiences remember.
Tools will change. Your judgment, taste, and courage will not. Please keep
creating.

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TAKAYAMA Akira （Japan）President & CEO Fanworks Inc. After working at an advertising agency and at drama and animation production companies, Akira Takayama founded Fanworks in 2005. He has been involved in the planning and production of a wide range of KAWAII ANIME titles, including Yawaraka Tank, Aggretsuko (Netflix), the Sumikkogurashi film series, ZANNENNAIKIMONO JITEN (NHK ETV and a feature film), Tom and Jerry Gokko, Hai! MYAKU-MYAKU desu (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan), and Uso Tantei Tomanto (TRAIN TV and NTV’s ZIP!). Message
Having served as a DigiCon6 judge for six years, I am honored to join this year’s JAPAN and ASIA final panels again.
While “AI anime” is being the topic of discussion, anime is ultimately made by human creators. I believe that AI is merely a tool and will never take the lead in animation.
I look forward to encountering exciting, inspiring works that transcend AI and break free from conventional ideas.
See you at the venue!

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