[Shibuya Scramble Square Co., Ltd.] ROOFTOP “LIVE” THEATER: A special screening event of global animation resonating with the night sky, 229 meters above Shibuya Shibuya Scramble Square Co., Ltd. Press Release: September 5, 2025 To Members of the Media 229 meters above Shibuya, ROOFTOP “LIVE” THEATER: A special screening event featuring animation from around the world resonating with the night sky. Following last year’s event, the observation deck “SHIBUYA SKY” will host the special screening event “ROOFTOP “LIVE” THEATER” (hereinafter referred to as “this event”) of the latest video art festival, “Image Forum Festival 2025.” For four special days, you can experience animated films from around the world at high volume in a rooftop observation space 229 meters above Shibuya. Four masterpieces from different countries, eras, and expressive styles—”Fantastic Planet,” “Robot Dreams,” “Night on the Galactic Railroad,” and “Scirocco and the Kingdom of the Wind”—will be brought together in one place, offering a viewing experience unique to the rooftop that is different from that of a movie theater. In addition, before each screening, a talk show will be held to delve deeper into the background of the films and the appeal of their expressions. By coming into contact with the perspectives of experts and critics, you can learn more about the films and approach the screen with a new perspective. This learning experience enriches and broadens the viewing experience, making the night sky screening experience even more special. Experience the moment when the sky, wind, night view, and story become one from 229 meters above Shibuya. SHIBUYA SKY supports Shibuya’s culture and theater culture through screenings of films carefully selected by Image Forum, creating a place for new encounters and discoveries.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-ad173ad6d17dd8013d7bb71d3746c1f4-1584×292.png 【PICK UP】Talk show to be held!…See page 4 A special talk show will be held before the film screening at this event. This talk show delves into the background of the films, behind-the-scenes production, and the appeal of visual expression from multiple angles, providing an opportunity for audiences to gain a deeper understanding and new perspectives. Through talks by experts and guests, the stories projected on the screen will be further enriched by shedding light on the ideas and themes embedded in the animated films. This opportunity to open your knowledge and sensibilities before the viewing will further enhance your screening experience under the night sky. *A special ticket must be purchased in advance to participate in the talk show. Details will be announced on the special website from time to time. ▷ ROOFTOP “LIVE” THEATER Details [Overview] This special screening event is part of the 39th annual Image Forum Festival, organized by Image Forum, a Shibuya-based center of visual art. Based on SHIBUYA SKY’s experience concept of “Look Out. Shibuya. The World. Yourself. The Future,” a diverse selection of films from around the world will be presented. This four-night special screening event will be enjoyed freely at full volume in a 360-degree open-air rooftop observation space. This collaboration between Image Forum and SHIBUYA SKY not only offers a unique and open-minded way to enjoy movies, but also brings films that everyone can enjoy, including those visiting Shibuya from around the world.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-141c8a1a0cc201a3bb8e9221681ad5aa-458×345.jpg Event history 〇Dates: October 3rd (Fri), 4th (Sat), 10th (Fri), and 11th (Sat), 2025 〇Timetable:
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-dd4b3c0185875fe9881b5a2ab5ecdc8e-1114×468.png Location: SHIBUYA SKY Rooftop (SKY STAGE) *The event will be canceled in the event of bad weather. Details regarding the event will be announced on the SHIBUYA SKY official X (formerly Twitter) account. 〇How to participate: ■How to participate in the “ROOFTOP “LIVE” THEATER” You can participate if you have a SHIBUYA SKY admission ticket for the day of the event or a SHIBUYA SKY PASSPORT (annual passport). (For ticket purchase details, please see:
https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/ticket/) *Online tickets are available for purchase up to two weeks prior to the purchase date. Tickets for this event will go on sale sequentially starting Friday, September 19th. *SHIBUYA SKY tickets are limited in number. If tickets for your desired date and time are sold out, you will not be able to purchase them. *Tickets are sold in 20-minute slots. You will not be able to enter before the stated entry time. *It may take some time to reach the rooftop from the ticket counter on the 14th floor. We recommend purchasing tickets with plenty of time to spare. (As a guideline, it may take up to 40 minutes.) ■How to Participate in the Talk Show Instead of a SHIBUYA SKY admission ticket, you will need to purchase a special ticket in advance. Details will be posted on the special website. (Special ticket holders do not need to purchase a separate SHIBUYA SKY admission ticket on the day of the event.) 〇Special website:
https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/rooftop_live_theater/ *Admission to the rooftop area may be restricted during peak hours. *The event may be canceled or suspended immediately prior to or during the event due to bad weather. For ticket cancellations and date/time changes, please check the official website
(https://shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/faq/). In either case, cancellations are not possible after entry. *There are some items prohibited from being brought onto the rooftop. For more information, please visit the official website
(https://www.shibuya-scramblesquare.com/sky/ticket/#sec-note) *Re-entry after exiting is not permitted. ▷ Film Details Film 1. Fantastic Planet A masterpiece of sci-fi art animation that captivated many audiences with its unique worldview.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-da80efbf34372242a6fc7e19d09f8a93-247×179.jpg (C)1973 Les Films Armorial – Argos Films Set on a planet other than Earth, this film depicts a desperate battle between the giant Dragu tribe and the oppressed human race, the Omu tribe. Based on the original work by science fiction writer Stefan Uhl, fantastical artist Laurent Topor spent four years completing the original sketches. The genius director René Laloux adapted this into a film, making it the first animated film of its kind. It won the Special Jury Prize at the 26th Cannes Film Festival. Director: Rene LALOUX (Digital / 72 minutes / 1973 / France, Czechoslovakia) [Distributor: Zaji Films] Trailer: https://youtu.be/Sx3_AAhu1_k Film 2. Robot Dreams Dreams A highly anticipated film nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-3f09d333e0bc82eae6582e6b98b5bc3c-267×178.jpg (C) 2023 Arcadia Motion Pictures S.L., Lokiz Films A.I.E., Noodles Production SARL, Les Films du Worso SARL Based on the graphic novel of the same name by American author Sarah Baron, this film marks the first attempt at animation by Spanish director Pablo Bergel. Set in New York, it depicts the friendship between a lonely dog named “Dog” and a robot. The film, directed without dialogue or narration, emotionally depicts the two characters’ meeting, parting, and reunion. Director: Pablo BERGER (Digital / 102 minutes / 2023 / France, Spain) [Distributor: Klockworx] Trailer video: https://youtu.be/e8lJ6tSX8ng Film 3. Night on the Galactic Railroad A timeless, lyrical animated masterpiece produced by a stellar team.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-cc9ffc75a8b1af306f10413075ed7bec-255×178.jpg Based on Hiroshi Masumura’s manga, which replaces the characters with anthropomorphized cats, director Gisaburo Sugii has animated Kenji Miyazawa’s fairy tale. The fantastical visuals of Giovanni and Campanella, depicted as cats, traveling through the galaxy are enveloping Haruomi Hosono’s music, quietly questioning the meaning of friendship, parting, life, and death. Director: Sugii Gisaburo (35mm / 107 minutes / 1985 / Japan) [Distributor: KADOKAWA] Film 4: Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds The opening film of the 2023 Annecy International Animation Festival, this much-talked-about film won the Audience Award.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-6782087613b64feb3c457c1dd2c15c73-327×163.jpg The main characters, sisters, get lost in the world of their favorite book, “The Kingdom of the Winds,” and transform into cats to embark on an adventure. The vibrant colors and fantastical, hand-drawn visuals, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films and Moebius comic strips, vividly color the sisters’ coming-of-age story. This is the director’s first solo feature film. Director: Benoit Chieux (Digital / 80 minutes / 2023 / France, Belgium) Trailer: https://youtu.be/m62aiHPQrcQ ▷ Things you need to know before the screening! Talk show to open up the film [Overview] This event will feature a special talk show before the screening. This program will delve into the historical background of the films, the behind-the-scenes production process, the creative expression, and the director’s passion, providing a gateway for audiences to gain a deeper understanding and enjoyment of the films. The commentary will be provided by guests and experts well-versed in animation and film. Their insights will highlight details and symbolic motifs that might otherwise go unnoticed, bringing the story projected on the screen to life with even more depth. Sharing these perspectives before the screening allows audiences to grasp the themes and messages embedded in the films from a new perspective, further enhancing the vividness of their viewing experience in the special rooftop setting. Surrounded by the night sky and city lights, this moment of learning, discussing, and experiencing the film will make the moviegoing experience at SHIBUYA SKY even more special. *Special tickets must be purchased in advance to participate in the talk show. Details will be announced on the special website from time to time.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-dc019bcc282e7fe2efc696a9ed65ec8e-1226×650.png ▷ What is the Image Forum Festival? The Image Forum Festival is Japan’s largest video art festival, showcasing highly artistic, creative, and creative video works from around the world. Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, the “Underground Cinema New Works Exhibition” (1973-present) and the “Experimental Film Festival” (1981-present), the festival launched in 1987 with a more
international focus and an open submission system. The open submission section is known as a stepping stone for cutting-edge young Japanese filmmakers, and past winners include works by currently
internationally active filmmakers and artists such as Yamamura Koji, Kawase Naomi, and Ishida Takashi. In 2018, the scope of submissions, which had previously been limited to Japan, was expanded to include the launch of the “East Asia Experimental Competition.” Through mutual exchange and stimulation between East Asian countries, the festival aims to explore the future of artistic expression and create a forum for considering the state of society, including the media environment. (http://www.imageforumfestival.com) SHIBUYA SKY Award Established in 2021 as a new talent award for the East Asia Experimental Competition division of the Image Forum Festival, which has been discovering new talent among filmmakers in Japan and East Asia. The award is named after “SHIBUYA SKY,” which has the concept of “stimulating
intellectual curiosity and nurturing imagination.” Befitting an observation facility that embodies the desire to “see the unseen world,” the award is given to emerging filmmakers who challenge themselves with original, new forms of expression. *Scheduled to be announced on October 6th (Monday)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-49fd7159c32f20e303e5ae4c3bb08f56-207×279.jpg Image Forum Image Forum began screening art films in Shibuya in the early 1970s. It has been 20 years since the theater opened in Shibuya as “Theater Image Forum” in 2000. Through a wide range of activities, including screenings of art films, production workshops, and organizing the “Image Forum Festival,” it functions as a venue for the pursuit of new visual expression, not only in Japan but also internationally. Official website:
http://www.imageforum.co.jp/theatre/ ▷ About SHIBUYA SKY ■SHIBUYA SKY This facility is comprised of three zones: “SKY GATE,” a transitional space from the 14th to 45th floors; “SKY STAGE,” one of Japan’s largest rooftop observation spaces; and “SKY GALLERY,” an indoor observation corridor on the 46th floor. Not only does it offer a 360-degree view from 229 meters above ground, the highest point in Shibuya, but it is also an observation device that stimulates intellectual curiosity and cultivates the imagination through a series of experiences. Name: SHIBUYA SKY Floors: 14th floor (ticket counter), 45th and 46th floors (indoor observation facility), rooftop (rooftop observation space) Height: 229m above ground Business area: Rooftop observation space approximately 2,500 square meters, indoor
observation facility approximately 3,000 square meters Business hours: 10:00 – 22:30 (last entrance 21:20) *Please check the official website for the latest business hours. Closed: New Year’s Day (may be closed on other days) Official website:
https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-427b1af61c815fa7a47c498b5948dc2a-479×323.jpg ＜Inquiries regarding facilities and tickets＞ SHIBUYA SKY Inquiry Desk TEL: 03-4221-0229 (Reception hours 10:00-20:00) Name: SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE Business entities: Tokyu Corporation, East Japan Railway Company, Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. Location: 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Purpose: Offices, stores, observation facilities, parking lots, etc. Total floor area: Approximately 181,000 square meters in Phase I (East Building), approximately 96,000 square meters in Phase II (Central Building and West Building) Number of floors: Phase I (East Building) 47 floors above ground, 7 floors underground, Phase II (Central Building) 10 floors above ground 2nd floor underground, (west building) 13th floor above ground, 5th floor underground Height: Phase I (East Building) 229.7m, Phase II (Central Building) approximately 61m, (West Building) approximately 76m Designer: Shibuya Station Area Development Planning Joint Venture *Nikken Sekkei Co., Ltd., Tokyu Sekkei Consultants Co., Ltd., JR East Architectural Design Co., Ltd., Metro Kaihatsu Co., Ltd. Design architect: Nikken Sekkei Co., Ltd., Kengo Kuma Architects and Urban Design Office, SANAA Office Operating company: Shibuya Scramble Square Co., Ltd. *Joint investment by Tokyu Corporation, East Japan Railway Company, and Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. Opening of business ：第I期（東棟）2019年11月1日、第II期（中央棟・西棟）2031年度（予定） URL ： https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/46405/148/46405-148-44de2fffd77a0eb154a0a7e4862c664c-162×240.jpg ▲Shibuya Scramble Square (east building) exterior
