Kore‑eda Crafts Heartfelt iPhone Short, Showcases Apple’s Cinematic Power

Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore‑eda directs Apple’s latest short shot entirely on iPhone—melding poetic realism and technical prowess to spotlight smartphone filmmaking.

Kore‑eda Crafts Heartfelt iPhone Short, Showcases Apple’s Cinematic Power

Summary of Key Findings

Hirokazu Kore‑eda’s iPhone‑shot short film for Apple illustrates the iPhone’s cinematic capabilities, combining emotive storytelling with advanced camera features to inspire content creators worldwide.


A Director’s Poetic Vision

Kore‑eda—fresh from his Palme d’Or win—penned and directed a 12‑minute short capturing a child’s journey of self‑discovery. Shot entirely on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the film highlights features like Cinematic Mode, low‑light performance, and spatial video .

Technical Showcase

Throughout the narrative, key sequences spotlight:

  • ProRes Recording for color grading depth

  • Macro Mode for intimate detail

  • Action Mode for stabilised kinetic shots
    Apple’s integrated hardware‑software synergy underlies each visual flourish .

Campaign Rollout

Apple premiered the film at Sundance and on Apple TV+ with behind‑the‑scenes featurettes, an Apple Podcasts interview with Kore‑eda, and director‑led masterclasses on Final Cut Pro, the company’s editing suite .

Cultural Impact

The collaboration underscores Apple’s strategy to position the iPhone as a tool for professional storytelling, blurring lines between smartphone creators and film‑school graduates. Film festivals and creator communities have lauded the initiative as a watershed for mobile cinema .

Marketer’s Playbook

  • Envelope Product Demos in Art: High‑profile creatives can lend authenticity and buzz.

  • Cross‑Platform Debut: Film festivals, streaming platforms, and educational tie‑ins maximize reach.

  • Technical Transparency: Highlight features through narrative necessity, not overt specs lists.