The city of Hiroshima was one of the sites of nuclear bombings in 1945 at the end of World War II, and it was chosen to inspire thoughts of unity through the arts.

The married couple were renowned figures in the independent animation world and also founders of ASIFA's Japan chapter.

[citation needed] In the festival's first year in 1985, the Grand Prize was awarded to Broken Down Film by Osamu Tezuka.

This cycle has often repeated and many of the grand prize winners have become judges for the following festival.

[4] In November 2020, the city of Hiroshima announced ending its partnership with ASIFA, and plans to replace the festival.