If you are making short films, or aspire to making them, the Web site www.con-can.com has everything in the world to offer: advice, support, the opportunity to get your work seen and critiqued and, the chance to win $10,000 in the online CON-CAN Movie Festival.

The man behind the enterprise is Masahiro Yoshino, chairman of Media Research Inc., in Tokyo's Sendagaya Ward, who rises smiling from behind his desk to extend his hand.

"Five years ago I had the idea for CON-CAN, and created a Web site," he explains. "But I didn't really know how to develop it, so last year I brought on board a number of expert enthusiasts. The result is a new Web site and an up-and-running movie festival with a three-year plan from 2009."