Yoriko Mizushiri’s “Futsū no Seikatsu” (“Ordinary Life”) has been awarded the prestigious Silver Bear Jury Prize in the Short Film category at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. The French-Japanese co-production captivated audiences with its gentle and evocative depiction of everyday moments.
A Celebration of the Mundane
“Futsu no Seikatsu,” which translates to “Ordinary Life,” is a 2D digital animated short written and directed by Yoriko Mizushiri. The film explores the recurring moments in our daily routines, highlighting how they are constantly changing and never truly the same. The animation uses a delicate touch and soft colors to portray scenes from everyday life, capturing subtle movements like flowing hair.
The film had its world premiere at the Berlinale Shorts section on February 15, 2025, where it competed for the Golden Bear for Best Short Film.
Mizushiri’s Artistic Vision
Yoriko Mizushiri, born in 1984 in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is a filmmaker renowned for her hand-drawn animations. Her work often explores sensuality and the human form through simple yet carefully rendered lines and movements. Recurring motifs in her films include body parts, food, sleep, and other daily rituals. Mizushiri emphasizes the importance of touch in her animations, aiming to evoke a sense of feeling through the visuals.
Mizushiri explained in a video message at the award ceremony that she was deeply honored to receive the Silver Bear prize.
Previous Works and Recognition
Mizushiri has garnered international acclaim for her exploration of the sense of touch, notably in her trilogy of short films:
- Futon (2012)
- Snow Hut (2013)
- Veil (2014)
These films, along with “Ordinary Life,” have been screened and awarded at numerous festivals worldwide, including:
- Japan Media Arts Festival (New Face Award, Animation Division for Futon)
- International Animation Festival Hiroshima (Renzo Kinoshita Prize)
- Fantoche International Film Festival (High Risk Award)
- World Festival of Animated Film Zagreb (Jury Award)
- Berlin International Film Festival (Official Screening for Futon, Snow Hut, and Veil)
Other Japanese Success at Berlinale 2025
In addition to Mizushiri’s win, Satoko Yokohama’s “Umibe e Iku Michi” (“Seaside Serendipity”), a live-action film adaptation of Gin Miyoshi’s manga, received a Special Mention from the jury in the Generation Kplus Competition. This category focuses on films themed for children. The film tells stories about boys confronting art and eccentric adults. Yokohama expressed her joy after the ceremony, calling the award “a miracle.”
Berlinale 2025: Key Winners
The 75th Berlin International Film Festival, held from February 13-23, 2025, showcased a diverse range of international films. Here’s a glimpse at some of the other major award winners:
- Golden Bear for Best Film: Dreams (Sex Love) (Norway) directed by Dag Johan Haugerud. This film explores a relationship between a 17-year-old girl and her female teacher.
- Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize: The Blue Trail (Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, Chile) directed by Gabriel Mascaro.
- Silver Bear Jury Prize: The Message (Argentina, Spain, Uruguay) directed by Iván Fund.
- Silver Bear for Best Director: Awarded for Living the Land.
- Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance: Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
- Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance: Andrew Scott in Blue Moon.
- Silver Bear for Best Screenplay: Kontinental ’25 (Romania, Brazil, Switzerland, the UK, and Luxembourg) directed by Radu Jude.
- Silver Bear for an Outstanding Artistic Contribution: The Ice Tower.
Silver Bear for Best Script
Kontinental ’25 by Radu Jude (Romania) received the Silver Bear for Best Script. The film follows a bailiff in Romania who faces a moral dilemma after evicting a homeless man. The film was shot with an iPhone 15 with minimal equipment.
Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film from the Youth Jury Generation
The Hungarian animated film Wish You Were Ear by Mirjana Balogh received the Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film from the Youth Jury Generation.
The Grand Prix of the International Jury for the Best Short Film in the Generation Kplus Competition
Autokar (Belgium, France) directed by Polish-born Sylwia Szkiłądź received The Grand Prix of the International Jury for the Best Short Film in the Generation Kplus Competition.
The Significance of the Berlinale Awards
The Berlin International Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale, is one of the world’s leading film festivals. It is renowned for its focus on socially and politically engaged cinema, showcasing films that tackle important contemporary issues. The awards presented at the Berlinale, including the Golden and Silver Bears, are highly regarded in the film industry and can significantly boost the profile of the winning films and filmmakers. The festival serves as a platform for emerging talent and established artists alike, promoting cross-cultural understanding through the power of cinema.
The Impact of “Ordinary Life”
Mizushiri’s “Ordinary Life” stands out for its ability to find beauty and meaning in the mundane. Its success at the Berlinale highlights the power of animation to explore complex themes in a visually captivating and emotionally resonant way. The film’s gentle aesthetic and thoughtful approach to everyday life offer a refreshing perspective in a world often dominated by spectacle and sensationalism. The Silver Bear Jury Prize is a testament to Mizushiri’s unique artistic vision and her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level.
