A Very Straight Neck is a 2025 short film directed and written by Neo Sora, based on the 2019 graphic short story I Will Go Ahead by Momoe Narazaki. The film stars Sakura Ando as a woman who wakes up one day with a severe neck pain.
It had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 13 August 2025, competing at the Concorso Corti d'Autore section, where it won the Pardino d'Oro Swiss Life for the Best Auteur Short Film.
Premise A woman wakes up with a severe neck pain and revisits memories about her childhood. The film explores the body as a physical manifestation of emotional trauma. It was based on Momoe Nagasaki’s short story I will go ahead.
Production The film was commissioned by NOWNESS China.
In February 2025, it was reported that Parallax had acquired the film's international sales.
Release A Very Straight Neck had its premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 13 August 2025 at the Concorso Corti d'Autore section.
The film had its Japanese premiere at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in late August 2025.
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Locarno Film Festival 16 August 2025 Pardino d'Oro Swiss Life for the Best Auteur Short Film Neo Sora Jakarta Film Week 26 October 2025 Global Short Award
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