Short film (under 30 minutes)
Film submission period
Deadline for Animated Short Film Competition Entry has passed. Thank you for your Submission! Notification of the selection results will be announced in the end of August 2022.
From April 18th to June 30th, 2022
Submission requirements
Entrants are asked to carefully read and agree to the terms and conditions of the Submission Regulations for Animated Short Film Competition before submitting works.
Note: There is a possibility to screen the films online depending on the spread of COVID-19, however, films that cannot be screened online are also eligible for submission. The availability of online screening will not affect the selection process nor results.
Submission requirements
(1) Submissions must be animated films with a run time not exceeding 30 minutes, including end credits (all animation techniques acceptable). 360° or VR films are also accepted.
(2) Films must be completed in or after 2020.
(3) Films with languages other than Japanese or English must have English subtitles at the time of submission. For films with Japanese, English subtitles must be provided if they pass the primary selection.
(4) The director or the producer of the film or the entrant must hold the right to screen the film submitted, and all rights to screen the work during the festival must have been secured.
(5) Entrants must obtain permission from rights holders for the music, existing characters and all other elements used in their films before submission. The festival office assumes no responsibility for copyright violations, compensation for damage or other claims from third parties.
(6) Films that have previously been submitted to the past editions of the festival will not be accepted.
Multiple submissions from the same entrant are accepted as long as the above conditions are satisfied for each one.
［Regulations for Animated Short Film Competition [ENGLISH] （PDF）］
Competition categories
The festival features the following four categories for the animated short film competition. Submissions will be sorted into the relevant category based on judgment by the Festival Office and Selection Committee members.
(A) International Competition
(B) Japan Competition
(C) Music Animation Competition
(D) Student Competition
Awards
The festival will elect International Jury members to judge the “International Competition,” “Japan Competition,” and “Student Competition” in the Short Film categories. The International Jury may present the following awards as a result of deliberation during the festival.
| Award | Competition | Prize money/extra prizes |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | International Competition | 1 million JPY |
| New Talent Award | International Competition | 200,000 JPY |
| Japan Grand Prix | Japan competition and Japanese films in the International Competition | 500,000 JPY |
| Best Student Film | Student films in the International, Japan, and Student Competition | memento |
The Audience Award is decided through an audience voting system.
| Award | Competition | Prize money/extra prizes |
|---|---|---|
| Audience Award | All Films screened in theaters | 100,000 JPY |
Kid’s Jury will select The Kids Award from among the films shown in the Family Program in the International Competition.
| Award | Competition | Prize money/extra prizes |
|---|---|---|
| Kids Award | Family Program within the International Competition | memento |
The festival will appoint Music Animation Special Jury members to judge the “Music Animation Competition” in the Short Film categories. The Special Jury may present the following award as a result of public deliberation during the festival.
| Award | Competition | Prize money/extra prizes |
|---|---|---|
| Best Music Animation Award | Music Animation Competition | 100,000 JPY |
The festival office may establish other awards decided by different criteria.
Invitations
The festival office will invite a filmmaker or a producer who satisfy certain conditions by covering related costs as described below. The detail is notified of the details by email after the selection.
As of April 18, 2022, Japan still has restrictions on new entries in place for each country and region as measures for COVID-19, and these restrictions are in flux depending on the status of the spread of infection. We regrettably have decided not to invite artists from overseas again this year as we are unable to guarantee invitations and accommodate equally. It pains us that the situation has been very distressing over the past years and we appreciate your understanding. Filmmakers who are living or residing in Japan at the time of the festival are eligible for the invitation. However, please note that depending on the situation, all the invitations may be canceled.
1. International Competition, Japan Competition and Music Animation Competition
Conditions for invitation
Must be one of the following:
(1) A director or producer whose work has been selected for the International Competition or the Japan Competition and is able to attend the Award Ceremony to be held on November 6, 2022 (one person per film).
Please note that it is compulsory to attend a talk session on any program held during your visit (ex. "Meet the Filmmakers").
(2) A director or producer whose work has been selected for the Music Animation Competition and is able to attend the screening program and the Award Ceremony during the festival period (schedule TBA; one person per film)
Even if the film is nominated in more than one category, only one person is invited.
If the condition is fulfilled, the festival will cover
(1) Part of round-trip flight costs (as par the Festival Office regulations)
(2) Part of accommodation during the festival (applicable only to hotels arranged by the Festival Office and only for one person)
(3) Part of meals during the festival (by meal coupon, as par with Festival Office regulations)
2. Student Competition
Conditions for invitation
A director or producer whose work has been selected for the Student Competition and is able to attend
the Award Ceremony to be held on November 6, 2022 (one person per film).
Please note that it is compulsory to attend a talk session on any program held during your visit (ex. "Meet the Filmmakers").
Even if the film is nominated in more than one category, only one person is invited.
If the condition is fulfilled, the festival will cover
(1) Part of accommodation during the festival (applicable only to hotels arranged by the Festival Office and only for one person)
(2) Part of meals during the festival (by meal coupon, as par with Festival Office regulations)
Submission methods
Deadline for Animated Short Film Competition Entry has passed. Thank you for your Submission! Notification of the selection results will be announced in the end of August 2022.
The email address shown below can be used to request further information or ask questions about submissions.
