The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage presents “Tomorrow’s Leaves”, an animated film inspired by the Olympic values
The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) has commissioned a short, animated film to provide a fresh perspective on the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect through the art form of hand-drawn animation. Produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura, known for his Academy Award-nominated films, “Tomorrow’s Leaves” will premiere at the Opening Ceremony of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival on 14 June 2021, ahead of the cultural programme at Tokyo 2020.
The OFCH commissioned Japanese animation company Studio Ponoc for this special project, to celebrate the Olympic spirit, engage a broader international audience and reinforce the links between sport, culture and education that are fundamental to the Olympic Movement.
“We wanted to celebrate the Olympic spirit with an entirely new audience, especially young people, through a different kind of artistic project,” said Angelita Teo, Director of the OFCH.
“To lead up to the cultural programme at Tokyo 2020, we decided to explore animation to express the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. This film is a work of art to inspire future generations.”
This commission is also in keeping with the OFCH’s mission to offer opportunities to artists to create new work that explores the relationship between art, sport and the Olympic values, through its International Arts and Culture Programmes. “Tomorrow’s Leaves” will share messages of hope, peace and solidarity, and leave a powerful artistic legacy for animation fans across the globe.
Produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura, “Tomorrow’s Leaves” is directed by the equally renowned Yoshiyuki Momose, who played a central role in famed works including celebrated director Isao Takahata’s “Grave of the Fireflies” and “The Tale of The Princess Kaguya”.
The music was composed by Takatsugu Muramatsu, a prolific film and television score creator who crafts music and sound effects to tell the story of a film. His recent works include the score compositions of Studio Ghibli’s “When Marnie Was There” and Studio Ponoc’s “Mary and The Witch’s Flower”.
After the world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, the OFCH will work with various partner organisations to screen the film for audiences across the globe, especially young people.
Tomorrow’s Leaves – Synopsis
The annual arrival of the message leaf causes concern – something is undeniably wrong. Its usually vibrant and lasting colours quickly fade, and it suddenly withers and crumbles.
Five envoys, from five diverse lands, are dispatched to find out what has happened.
The envoys travel to a distant land, quietly guided by tiny spirits. Each envoy has its own strengths and vulnerabilities. They compete and support each other as they draw closer to their destination, facing treacherous terrain and difficult conditions. Through athletic challenges and the uniting power of sport, they discover the positive fundamental values that come with playful competition.
Together, the envoys approach near the source of the message leaf.
Can they restore life to a future in peril?
The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage
The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage is the IOC’s key driver of Olympic culture, heritage and education.
The Foundation’s Heritage Management acquires, documents, preserves and shares Olympic heritage with a wider audience. The Olympic Museum is the leading storyteller which showcases the Olympic ideal and legacy of cultural artefacts. The Olympic Studies Centre is the worldwide source of reference for Olympic knowledge; and the International Cultural Affairs Unit develops and implements special initiatives and programmes on Olympic art, culture and education, in collaboration with international partners within the Olympic family and beyond.
Studio Ponoc
Studio Ponoc, an animation studio founded by former Studio Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, makes beautiful hand-drawn, hand-painted films for families to enjoy together, and for general audiences, around the world. “Ponoc” comes from the Croatian word “ponoć”, which means midnight or the beginning of a new day.
For press enquiries please contact:
Tina Sharma, OFCH PR and Communications Manager
For other enquiries, please contact:
Anja Wodsak, OFCH Arts and Culture Manager