It’s got a way to go before rivalling Sundance, but Niseko now has its own fully-fledged film festival following the hugely successful inaugural Niseko Shootout Film Festival.
Niseko Shootout combined a season-long photo contest, culminating with an awards night and film festival to announce the winners and celebrate spring in late March. More than 400 skiers, snowboarders, film and photography lovers filled Hanazono 308 (the Hanazono Ski Resort’s base complex) for the film festival and awards night.
“It was a huge turn out and double the crowd expected by organisers Niseko Tourism and Hokkaido Core.”
Niseko Tourism hopes the festival will grow every year to become a revered competition that will draw more international talent, foster local talent and culture, promote the wonders of Niseko, and create more reason for visitors to come in the spring shoulder season.
The Niseko Shootout was born from an Instagram-based photo competition in the winter of 2017/18. This winter more than 3000 local photos were hashtagged #nisekoshootout and therefore eligible to win the competition. Check out the winning photos and videos below.
NISEKO SHOOTOUT PHOTO WINNERS
Landscape category
1st Place: Unreal Day on Yotei by @thejameswinfield (29 points)
2nd Place: Niseko by @bez_ceregieli (29 points)
3rd Place: Barcode Forest by @andrewstrain (28 points)
Skiing category
1st Place: Good Light, Bad Snow by @andrewstrain (40 points)
2nd Place: Friday’s Powder by @jeffcricco (28 points)
3rd Place: Last Friday’s Bluebird Pow Turns by @daniel_honda (26 points)
Snowboarding category
1st Place: Last Light by @janzy_ (28 points)
2nd Place: Hideki’s Line by @taikinaka (26 points)
3rd Place: Sunrise Missions by @flakinggoodtime (26 points)
NISEKO SHOOTOUT FILM WINNERS
1st Place: Japanuary by Adam Kroenert
Cast: Pep Fujas, Joss McAlpn, Tim McChesney, Jackson Wells, Maude Raymond, Toshiya Kasuga, Gen Sasaki & Jye Parkinson.
2nd Place: Shiro by Miquel Soler
Cast: Jordi Brusca, Laura Donet, Yuhiro Kondo, Gabriel Mojón, Jaume Pons, Charly Ranza y Pablo Sanchez.
3rd Place: Yabai by George Knowles
Cast: Nick Larson
Got to Niseko Tourism YouTube to view the films showcased at the event, follow Niseko Shootout and take stay tuned for details on the competition next winter!