■Greeting from the Sponsor
Akihiro Yamashita, Deputy Mayor of Kobe
Good evening, everyone. I'd just like to say a few words before the Awards Ceremony of Animation Kobe '97. First, I would like to thank you all for taking the time to attend Animation Kobe. I was really glad to see so many attending, yesterday as well as today. Animation Kobe is a part of the Digital Hollywood Festival, a core project in the KIMEC concept, which we have been pursuing since 1994, before the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Last year, we held only the Awards Ceremony, but this year we were able to hold a two-day event including a judges' screening of the nominated works. For this again, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who have come here today, as well as to all those in the animation industry whose support has made this possible.
Animation is a collaborative art form that requires producers, directors, animators, technical staff, voice actors, musicians and other people all working together to create one work. Today, animation is one of the most world- renowned "made in Japan" products, and a widely respected cultural phenomenon as well. However, strange though it may sound, until the creation of Animation Kobe there was no public stage in this country on which such works of art and their makers could be awarded for their achievements. Aimed at promoting young artists and animation related companies located mainly in the Kobe area, Animation Kobe was established in 1996 as an event that awards prizes for achievements in all related fields. By sponsoring Animation Kobe we wish to to contribute to the the animation industry by introducing this wonderful art form to an even larger audience. We also hope this event will become a driving force in the revitalization of Kobe and its visual-image industry, as the city is pulling forward to overcome the terrible earthquake it suffered three years ago. Thank you.
■Greeting from the Chairman of the Organizing Committee
Yasuki Hamano,the Chairman of the Organizing Committee
Thank you all for joining us today. By seeing the screening of nominated works during the last two days you could see the what a wide meaning the word animation carries these days. Celluloid animation, clay animation, computer graphics, just to name a few, are all covered by Animation Kobe, which strives to support creative people in the many fields of animation. Last year our event consisted only of an award ceremony, and I am delighted that this year we were able to add screening of nominated works. I would like to thank the movie companies, production companies and creative persons whose kind support enabled us to achieve this. The last two days provided a rare opportunity to view all the representative animation works of last year. The award winning works will be announced soon, but in fact each of the works shown in this event is important, and its makers should be proud of themselves for their great achievements. We will now hold the Award Ceremony of Animation Kobe 1997. Thank you.
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