Japan – Apple has unveiled ‘Last Scene’, a 27-minute short film shot entirely on the iPhone 16 Pro, spotlighting the device’s advanced camera features through a cinematic blend of time travel, drama, and heartfelt storytelling.
Directed by Cannes Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda, the short film marks the acclaimed filmmaker’s first foray into time travel, blending drama and light comedy in a story about memory, legacy, and the passage of time. Known for Shoplifters and Monster, Kore-eda crafts a bittersweet tale that poses a central question: what will remain in the future, and what will disappear?
Set primarily in the coastal town of Kamakura, ‘Last Scene’ follows Kurata, an aspiring TV screenwriter played by Taiga Nakano, whose life is disrupted by the arrival of his granddaughter from 50 years in the future. Played by Momoko Fukuchi, the granddaughter’s mission reveals a paradox: saving the future of television dramas may come at the cost of her own existence. Supporting roles include Kore-eda regulars Daisuke Kuroda as a TV producer and Lily Franky as a Ferris wheel attendant who appears in both present and future timelines.
The 27-minute film doubles as a showcase for the iPhone 16 Pro’s video capabilities, with Kore-eda using the device to capture both sweeping movement and intimate emotion. Cinematic mode helps frame character moments with a shallow depth of field, while Action Mode offers stability during dynamic sequences—such as a sprint to catch the Ferris wheel. The film also makes use of 4K slow motion in Dolby Vision and the 5x telephoto lens to highlight key emotional beats and distant expressions.
Shot by award-winning cinematographer Mikiya Takimoto, the film presents a quiet, humanistic style typical of Kore-eda’s work, using mobile filmmaking tools to portray everyday moments with nuance and warmth.
“I wanted this film to be natural and unvarnished and used an iPhone 16 Pro to honestly capture the fleeting moments of everyday life and the precious things we take for granted. I envisioned the visuals of our characters’ journey from the diner to Kamakura to the Ferris wheel as gentle and brimming with warm humanity,” said Kore-eda.
Last Scene premieres May 9 at 11am JST on Apple’s YouTube channel, apple.com/jp, and the Apple TV app in Japan. It will be available to U.S. audiences from May 8 at 7pm PST.
