1th Student Newspaper Film Awards

TOP CONNECT Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo / CEO Masaaki Uchida, hereinafter referred to as TOP CONNECT) held the awards ceremony for the "1st Student Newspaper Film Awards" on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel B2 Ballroom (part 2 of the "Student Newspaper/Elementary School Student Newspaper Launch Party") with the aim of revitalizing the film industry in response to young people's disinterest in movie theaters and the decline in movie theater attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<About the 1rd Student Newspaper Film Awards>

A total of 200 university students voted for Japanese feature films of 60 minutes or more that premiered in the Tokyo area for a fee between January 1st and June 30th, 2023, and were shown consecutively for at least two weeks in the same theater. Six awards were awarded to the top three films selected from the 10 films: Best Actor (2 slots), Best Actress (2 slots), Best Young Actor (1 male and 1 female under 25), Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Song. The total prize pool is 3 million yen (1 million yen for each winning film).

<Nominated Works>

■Monster
Tokyo Revengers 2: Halloween of Blood -Fate-/-Final Battle-
■Theatrical version "TOKYO MER: The Running Emergency Room"
My happy marriage
■ Rohan Kishibe Goes to the Louvre
■Legend & Butterfly
■But Chihiro is too sweet
■Hot water path
The Mystery of the Nemesis Golden Spiral
■Water flows towards the sea

©2023 "Kaibutsu" Production Committee / ©Wakui Ken/Kodansha ©2023 Fuji Television Network, Warner Bros. Pictures, Kodansha / ©2023 "TOKYO MER" Theatrical Version Production Committee / ©2023 "My Happy Marriage" Film Production Committee / ©2023 "Rohan Kishibe Goes to the Louvre" Production Committee ©LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/Shueisha / ©2023 "THE LEGEND & BUTTERFLY" Production Committee / ©2023 "But, Chiki-kun is Too Sweet" Production Committee ©Anan Kujira/Kodansha / ©2023 "Yudo" Film Production Committee / ©2023 "Nemesis" Film Production Committee / ©2023 "Water Flows Towards the Sea" Film Production Committee

<Sponsoring companies>　※ In any order

Earth Chemical / PIP / Tamanoi Vinegar / New Balance / Aderans / Anpha / Sugimoto Meat Industry / Maruhan / Echigo Farm / Mizkan / Dell Technologies / Kushikatsu Tanaka Holdings / Marukome / J Frontier / Hana Cupid / APA Hotel / Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel / Vision Glamping / Skylark Restaurants / MTG Professional / TKP / Bathclin / Miss Paris / Diana / Pro Labo Holdings / Komeda Holdings

<1rd Student Newspaper Film Awards Winners and Their Winners>

Thoughts on receiving the award

■From Nakamura Shido Office
I think "Monster," which was selected as the grand prize winner by university students, is a truly wonderful film.
Eight years ago, Shido went to meet Director Kore-eda himself and asked him directly, "Please let me appear in your film!", and it was his true wish to appear in a Kore-eda film.
I'm very happy that "Monster" won the grand prize as the film of choice for students who will create the future. Even though people of all generations have different opinions about the film, they all share the same feeling that it is wonderful.
I'm really thankful to you.

■ Sakura Ando
I am very proud to have been selected by you all. It is a different feeling than being selected by my seniors.
Both you and I still have a long life ahead of us, so let's take on many challenges and enjoy it together.
Thank you!

■ Mr. Soya Kurokawa
Thank you very much for allowing us to receive the Student Newspaper Film Award.
I am very happy and deeply moved that my fellow students appreciated "Monster."
When I was filming this movie, I was just about to graduate from elementary school and enter junior high school. During this time, I met many respected professionals, and I feel like I was given something I'll need to continue working as an actor. I'll keep that something close to my heart, and I'll cherish it and continue to work hard! Thank you very much.

■ Mr. Hirokazu Koreeda
Thank you very much for this wonderful award to "Monster."
Being supported by young audiences is an unexpected joy for a creator who is now over 60 years old.
I would like to continue making films that everyone will find interesting. Thank you very much for this opportunity.

■ Mr. Yuji Sakamoto
Thank you to Kaito for winning the award. I shared my joy with the staff right away.
This film was made with the theme of whether the world can be reborn.
Nothing would make me happier than if this film remains in the hearts of all of you who are ushering in a new era.
Thank you all!

Thoughts on receiving the award

■Mio Imada
I am extremely happy that "Tokyo Revengers 2" was selected as the runner-up in the 1st Student Newspaper Film Awards, and that it also received the wonderful award of Best Actress.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the production staff and co-stars, as this award was made possible thanks to their support.
For me, the role of Hinata has been one that I have played since the previous film, "Tokyo Revengers 1," as a cheerful, straightforward, and pure character with strength that gives me courage.
I'm happy that Hinata has reached so many people.
I will continue to work hard to be involved in projects that I can work on together with everyone.
Thank you all!

Thoughts on receiving the award

■ Ms. Aya Matsuki
Thank you for selecting us!
"TOKYOMER" was created by the entire team with the hope of conveying the incredible efforts of medical workers and other people who fight for others every day, and we are very happy that the students have appreciated it.
It would be a great honor if you could remember them from time to time.
Thank you all!

The 2rd Student Newspaper Film Awards is scheduled to be held on October 22, 2024.