Nippon Rising Star Award

The 2026 NIPPON RISING STAR AWARD goes to Anna YAMADA. For the fourth time, Nippon Connection presents this honorary award to an outstanding emerging talent in the Japanese film industry. YAMADA’s empathetic performances make her one of the few rising actors and actresses in Japan who excel in major blockbusters and innovative independent films alike. The NIPPON RISING STAR AWARD is presented by Kyocera Document Solutions.

Three films featuring Anna YAMADA will be screened at this year’s festival: In addition to the feature films NEW GROUP (2025) and LITTLE LOVE SONG (2019), we are also showing the anime CHAO (2025), in which Anna YAMADA lends her voice to the title character. Following the screenings, she will participate in Q&A sessions and will additionally speak in detail about her work during a film talk on Saturday, June 6, at 5:00 p.m. The NIPPON RISING STAR AWARD ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 7, at 7:45 p.m. at Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm.

About Anna YAMADA

Anna YAMADA, born in Saitama Prefecture in 2001, made her debut as lead actress in Eisuke NAITO’s film LIVERLEAF in 2018 and has since appeared in numerous Japanese television dramas and cinema productions, including WHAT SHE LIKES… (2021 / NC ’22), UNLOCK YOUR HEART (2021 / NC ’22), and MOUNTAIN WOMAN (2022 / NC ’23). She has already been honored with several awards in Japan for her performances, including at the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize and the 15th TAMA Film Award.