Production I.G is proud to announce that on November 5, 2006, the 11th Holland Animation Film Festival (HAFF) awarded Kirin Lemon Black:
Monster Blacks Fights Back (0'30", 2005), directed by Katsuhito Ishii, Best Commercial Film in the Competition for Applied Animation.

The jury, composed by Stephen Hillenburg (creator of SpongeBob), Taku Furukawa (Japanese animation auteur) and Andreas Hykade (German animation director), motivated the award as follows: "For the pure energy shown in an advanced anime style."

Created for Kirin Beverages' 77th anniversary campaign of the popular Kirin Lemon sparkling drink, Kirin Lemon Black: Monster Blacks Fights Back is the second chapter of a two-part commercial film series directed by Katsuhito Ishii (Kill Bill: Vol. 1 animation part character designer), who also developed the design for the 14 characters appearing in the two spots. In the story concept, two teams, Seven
Sevens and Monster Blacks, are competing in an imaginary neo-futuristic high-speed sport called Sky Shoot. In Kirin Lemon Black: Monster Blacks Fights Back, promoting a new guarana-flavored drink called "Kirin Lemon Black," the Seven Sevens are cornered by Monster Blacks' counterattack. Sequence and animation director Kazuto Nakazawa (Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Samurai Champloo) greatly contributed with his wild touch.

STAFF : Product: Kirin Lemon Black / Director & Character Concept: Katsuhito Ishii (Kill Bill: Vol. 1, The Taste of Tea) / Sequence & Animation Director: Kazuto Nakazawa (Kill Bill: Vol. 1) / Character Design: Satoru Nakamura (Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. series, KOF: Another Day) / 3D Director: Makoto Endo (Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. - Solid State Society) / Production: Samurai, Nitten Alti Creatives / Animation Studio: Production I.G / Agency: Hakuhodo Inc. / Client: Kirin Beverage Corporation

Profile: Katsuhito Ishii - Born in 1966, Ishii started out as a TV commercial director, but later he successfully turned to full length live action films such as Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl (1998) and The Taste of Tea (2004). He often worked in the world of animation, his credits including the character design for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 animation segment (2003). For Kirin Beverages' Kirin Lemon 77th anniversary campaign, Ishii teamed up again with Kazuto Nakazawa, director of Kill Bill: Vol. 1 animation part.

The Holland Animation Film Festival (HAFF) is an internationally recognized animation festival and offers a unique, state-of-the-art selection of animated films for a diverse public. The intimate environment guarantees a great opportunity for the interested public, filmmakers and producers. Its 11th edition was held in Utrecht from November 1 to 5, 2006.

HAFF official website:
http://haff.awn.com