HIDARI, a stop-motion samurai film currently in development by Whatever Co. (headquartered in Tokyo; Yusuke Tominaga, CEO; hereinafter “Whatever”)　in collaboration with dwarf studios (AOI Pro. Inc.) and TECARAT, has been selected for Cannes Animation at the Marché du Film, held in conjunction with the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

On May 17, 2026 (local time), Masashi Kawamura (creator, writer, and director) will take the stage in Cannes alongside producer Noriko Matsumoto. They will screen the proof-of-concept film and present the current status and future vision for HIDARI as a feature-length film.

HIDARI is a stop-motion period film inspired by the legendary sculptor Hidari Jingoro, a mysterious figure whose existence remains uncertain. Brought to life through intricately carved wooden puppets, the film reflects the spirit of his craft. The pilot has surpassed 4.9 million views on YouTube and gained over 120,000 subscribers, drawing global attention across social media and press.  It has also received numerous awards at more than 20 film festivals worldwide.

The project has been selected for the “Film Frontier – Feature Animation Creator Support” program, part of the Cultural Arts Activity Infrastructure Enhancement Fund (Creator Support Fund), administered by the Japan Arts Council with funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan), and is currently being developed with this support.

The project is being co-developed by three companies: Whatever, the creative studio co-founded by director Masashi Kawamura, together with two internationally acclaimed stop-motion studios, dwarf studios and TECARAT.
On the financing side, the project is supported by Questry, a content finance company dedicated to bringing original Japanese content to global audiences. The team is currently seeking additional partners and continuing to secure further financing as development progresses.
(For more details on the partnership with Questry: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000052.000040758.html

ABOUT CANNES ANIMATION / ANNECY ANIMATION SHOWCASE
Cannes Animation is a dedicated program within the Marché du Film, the world’s largest film market held alongside the Cannes Film Festival.

In partnership with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the Annecy Animation Showcase presents five carefully selected animation projects from around the world, offering opportunities for presentations, panel discussions, and networking.

Many projects selected for the Showcase go on to become completed and released feature films. Past selections include Hina (dir. Kenji Iwaisawa, selected in 2023) and Sunny (based on the manga by Taiyo Matsumoto, selected in 2025 and also produced by dwarf).

More recently, A New Dawn (dir. Yoshitoshi Shinomiya), selected in 2024, was officially selected for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival and released theatrically in Japan in March 2026.

ABOUT HIDARI

Synopsis
Set in Edo-period Japan, HIDARI weaves together real historical events and figures with original characters to tell a story of revenge.

Jingoro, a master craftsman of his time, is caught in a conspiracy during the reconstruction of Edo Castle, losing his mentor, the woman he loves, and even his right arm.

Barely surviving, Jingoro is transformed into an agent of vengeance. Replacing his lost arm with a weaponized prosthetic, the tools he once used to carve wood are reborn as instruments of destruction. Accompanied by his partner, the “Sleeping Cat,” he sets out on a journey of revenge—only to find himself drawn into an even greater conspiracy.

Power struggles within the shogunate, advancing mechanical soldiers, and a transforming Edo Castle all threaten to consume him. As everything closes in, something within him begins to change.

HIDARI is a story of revenge and rebirth—of a man who once lived to create, only to lose himself in destruction, and ultimately rediscover both himself and the meaning of his life.

Project Overview
Title: HIDARI (Stop-Motion Samurai Film)
Genre: Action / Drama
Format / Length: Stop-motion / 90 minutes

Director & Writer: Masashi Kawamura
Co-Director & Character Design: Iku Ogawa
Character & Wood Sculpture / Production Design: Takeshi Yashiro
Producers: Noriko Matsumoto / Yusuke Tominaga / Masami Ouchi and others

Production: dwarf studios / Whatever Co. / TECARAT
—
Video Materials
Proof-of-Concept Film (5:32): https://youtu.be/DpefYPLH67A
Making-of Video:  https://youtu.be/VHO6rTyyG6M
—
Official Links
Official Website: https://hidari-movie.com
X (Twitter): https://x.com/hidari_movie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hidari_movie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teamhidari 

©︎dwarf/Whatever Co./TECARAT
—
Selected Awards & Official Screenings (Partial)
Awards:
– The Webby Awards (28th) — Best Video: Animation (2024)
– JPPA Awards 2024 — Grand Prize (Sound Category)
– New York Asian Film Festival (22nd) — Special Mention (2023)
– Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival — Excellence Award (2023)
– New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival (10th) (2023)

Theatrical Release (proof-of-concept):
– Shinjuku Wald 9 / T-Joy Umeda (Apr 21 – May 4, 2023)
– Shibuya Pilot Film Festival (Dec 14, 2024)

Official Selections:
– StopTrik International Film Festival — International Competition (2024)
– Hiroshima Animation Season 2024
– Seoul Indie-AniFest (19th, 2023)
– ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival (6th, 2023)
– KinoDrome International Motion Picture & Screenplay Festival (2023)
– Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2023
– Niigata International Animation Film Festival (2023)
– Tokushima New Normal Film Festival (2023) 

DIRECTOR’S COMMENT — MASASHI KAWAMURA

It is a great honor to participate in the Cannes Film Festival in this way—something I have long dreamed of. Since completing the proof-of-concept film, our team has been continuously working on developing the feature screenplay and building partnerships. Creating a period action film using hand-carved wooden puppets, animated frame by frame, with the intensity of anime—this is a uniquely Japanese form of expression. Through this opportunity at the Annecy Animation Showcase, we hope to share our passion for this project with film professionals around the world.

– Masashi Kawamura is a filmmaker and creative director, and co-founder of Whatever, with over 20 years of experience working globally. His work spans commercials, music videos, television programs, and large-scale installations, and has been internationally recognized with awards including the Cristal at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, an International Emmy nomination, and Grand Prix at One Show and Clio.

PRODUCER’S COMMENT — NORIKO MATSUMOTO

It has been three years since we completed the proof-of-concept film. Being given the opportunity to pitch at the Annecy Animation Showcase within Cannes Animation is incredibly meaningful, as it reflects the belief and expectations that HIDARI can become a feature-length film with a powerful story. As a producer specializing in stop-motion animation, I have worked on many projects, but this one represents a challenge on an unprecedented scale. Through this opportunity, I hope to share not only the full scope of the story, but also the exciting journey we are on—and to find partners from around the world to help bring this project to life.

– Noriko Matsumoto began her career in commercial production and joined the founding of dwarf studios. She has produced works including Rilakkuma and Kaoru (Netflix) and Bottle George (Academy Awards shortlisted).

PRODUCTION TEAM

Whatever Co. [Creative Direction]

Whatever is a global creative studio with offices in Tokyo, New York, Taipei, and Berlin. The studio works across a wide range of disciplines, including advertising, events, television programming, and product/service development. By bringing together internationally recognized creative and craft talent with teams capable of executing cutting-edge technological development, Whatever continues to create ideas that “no one has seen before, yet everyone can relate to.”
https://whatever.co

dwarf studios (AOI Pro. Inc.) [Producer/ Animation Studio]

Founded in September 2003, dwarf is an animation studio internationally recognized for its high-quality stop-motion works. The studio has created numerous characters and original content, including NHK’s iconic character Domo, and has earned acclaim both in Japan and internationally. In addition to original titles such as Komaneko, which enjoyed a long theatrical run in France, and Mogu & Perol, a CG series co-produced with France and Taiwan, dwarf actively collaborates with a wide range of popular characters and major IPs. Recent works include the Netflix series Rilakkuma and Kaoru (2019), Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure (2022), Pokémon Concierge, and the short film Bottle George, a collaboration between Akihiro Nishino and Daisuke Tsutsumi, which was shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards.
https://dw-f.jp/

TECARAT (Taiyo Kikaku Co., Ltd.) [Puppet Fabrication / Art Production]

TECARAT is a studio specializing in content production and visual/art design for advertising and film. Built on extensive experience and craftsmanship, the team develops story-driven brand content, animation production, and art direction. The name “TECARAT” derives from the Japanese word te (“hand”), reflecting the belief that ideas are ultimately brought to life by human hands. The studio aims to create visually memorable works that leave a lasting impression on audiences.
https://tecarat.jp/

Questry Co., Ltd. [Content Finance Structuring]
Questry operates with the mission “to make Japanese content the best in the world through the power of finance.” The company engages in content planning and management, content finance structuring, and digital securities. By leveraging broad financial expertise, Questry aims to build a new vertically integrated financial ecosystem for Japan’s content industry, while providing global investors with access to content investment opportunities.
https://questry.co.jp/

MEDIA ASSETS
Please download press materials from the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KhMQIuKguI3lrr04JKd8aPKV4IWNq853?usp=drive_link

MEDIA CONTACT
Whatever PR
Email: press@whatever.co