Kohei Kadowaki on the Vision and Craft of We Are Aliens

The 2026 Cannes Film Festival served as the global stage for the debut of We Are Aliens, a feature-length animated film directed by Kohei Kadowaki. The project, which premiered in the festival’s Directors’ Fortnight sidebar, marks a significant arrival for the Japanese filmmaker, who utilized rotoscope animation to explore the complexities of childhood friendship and the lingering impact of past trauma.

The story follows two boys, Tsubasa and Gyotaro, whose close bond in elementary school is fractured by jealousy and misunderstanding. The narrative tracks their lives through their younger years into adulthood, culminating in a reunion that forces them to confront long-buried emotional conflicts.

A Collaborative Production Model

The creation of We Are Aliens was a five-year endeavor, with the physical production process spanning three and a half years. Produced as a French-Japanese co-production between Nothing New and Miyu Productions, the film relied on a team of approximately twenty people. While the production utilized standard industry software, Kadowaki emphasized that his primary focus was the design of the workflow itself.

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From Instagram — related to Nothing New and Miyu Productions

To maintain a cohesive visual style, Kadowaki took a hands-on approach to supervision. He spent several hours daily in the studio providing direct feedback and making corrections to artwork. This dedication ensured that despite the collaborative nature of the project, the vision remained unified; notably, more than 80% of the key animation was completed by Kadowaki and his four main key animators.

Did You Know? The production of We Are Aliens was a major undertaking, requiring five years from the initial conception to final completion, with the actual animation production lasting three and a half years.

Significance and Future Outlook

Kadowaki’s work reflects a broader optimism regarding the state of animation. He suggests that technological advancements are lowering costs, potentially allowing smaller teams to produce feature-length works. By focusing on themes of childhood memories and the reality of the viewers’ own worlds, the director hopes to create a sense of longing and inspiration for the audience.

Cannes 2026 : Pascal Alex Vincent à la rencontre de Kohei Kadowaki ("We are aliens"

Following its Cannes premiere, the film is set to compete at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this June. A theatrical release in Japan is scheduled for later in 2026. As the film moves through the festival circuit, it could establish Kadowaki as a notable new voice in animation, potentially influencing how future independent creators approach collaborative production workflows.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Kadowaki’s emphasis on a centralized, hands-on workflow within a small team illustrates a growing trend in independent animation. By prioritizing consistent art direction over expensive, proprietary technology, creators may find more sustainable paths to bringing personal, character-driven stories to the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary theme of We Are Aliens?
The film explores themes of childhood bullying, isolation, and the emotional weight of friendships that drift apart due to jealousy and misunderstandings.

How was the film produced?
It was a French-Japanese co-production between Nothing New and Miyu Productions. The production involved about twenty people, with the director supervising animation, art direction, and colour design to maintain a consistent style.

When will the film be available to the public?
Following its festival appearances, the film is scheduled to be released in Japanese cinemas later in 2026.

How do you think the use of rotoscope animation changes the way an audience connects with a coming-of-age story?