9th Ibusuki Film Festival Call for Entries
Google SpreadSheet This is the application form. https://forms.gle/4v3ogcAfAwraKp5QAPlease send it using whichever method is more convenient for you
At this film festival, we have been conducting a thorough review of our awards structure, taking into account the feedback from all those who have served on the jury in the past.
As a result, in order to clarify the vision of the Ibusuki Film Festival, we are updating the details of our awards as follows. We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to review them.
‘Hamazaki Taheiji Award’
The highest honour, dedicated to the collective will of the audience. This award respects the fact that the people of Ibusuki have been genuinely moved, and is selected by the citizens themselves. Named after Ibusuki’s great forefather, *Hamazaki Taheiji*, it serves as the Grand Prix, embodying the pride of the region.
*“Taheiji Hamazaki, who once used Yamakawa Port in Ibusuki City as his base to build a unique network extending from Hokkaido in the north to the Ryukyu Islands in the south, and even overseas, was hailed as ‘Japan’s greatest merchant’. Transcending the boundaries of the Satsuma Domain, he laid the foundations of modern Japan through domestic and international trade, whilst dedicating his life to the development of Ibusuki by investing his own wealth. We honour the name of this great forebear and entrust the pride of our region to this award.”
The prize includes 50,000 yen, a crystal trophy, a certificate, and additional prizes.
‘Golden Ibusuki’
We firmly believe that what a film festival must uphold is the appreciation of the ‘soul of the creator’ that resides in every corner of the screen.
This year, the Ibusuki Film Festival will open simultaneously to the world via the web. Believing in the ‘power of cinema’ embodied by the directors, producers and actors who submit entries to the Ibusuki Film Festival from this small town in Kagoshima, nominated films will be streamed exclusively to a global audience. (Taking time zone differences into account, they will be re-streamed one week later.)
Believing in the magic of cinema, and by the unanimous decision of the Ibusuki Film Festival staff, the Ibusuki Film Festival Executive Committee presents this award of respect to all production staff who have diligently carried out their work.
Eligible for a certificate and a prize.
‘Silver Ibuki’
Best Actor Award (leading or supporting role).
*As the performance of actors significantly influences the impression of a short film, this award has been established to recognise their achievements.
Eligible for a certificate and a prize.
‘Platinum Ibusuki’
With the number of non-live-action works—such as animation and stop-motion films—increasing year on year, it has been felt that these find it more difficult to win awards compared to live-action films.
Given the growing popularity and acclaim of stop-motion and animated works, it has been decided to establish this award separately from the existing ones.
Eligible for a certificate and a prize.
Works screened during the nomination period will be recognised as ‘Winners’ and will receive a certificate and a prize.
1. 英語版 (English) - Final Full Text
9th Ibusuki Film Festival - Submission Guidelines
[Guidelines] The NPO Ibusuki Movie Project is now accepting nominations for works to be screened at the "9th Ibusuki Film Festival" (Sunday, October 4, 2026). Venue: Ibusuki Civic Hall. Starts: 12:00 PM. Submissions open today, March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (JST). Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026. Nominee announcement: Early to mid-July. All works will undergo a primary screening in June. Selected works will be screened on Oct 4, and winners will be chosen. We look forward to your creative works!
[Eligibility]
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Open to all (students, professionals, and amateurs welcome).
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Limited to one submission per director.
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Foreign language films must include Japanese subtitles.
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Global Streaming: Nominees must prepare an English version (using tools like Premiere Pro or DeepL). Streaming will be non-downloadable and inaccessible from within Japan. If you do not wish for web streaming, please inform us upon nomination.
[How to Apply]
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Submit info via Excel: Title, Director/Representative contact, Synopsis, Cast, Duration.
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Email the Excel form to: [email protected]
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Categories: Type A (within 10m), Type B (11-24m), Type C (25-29m).
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Works can be published/unpublished, independent, or commercial (must not violate public order).
1. Screening Process
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Primary: Send an unlisted YouTube/Vimeo link in the Excel form.
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Announcement (July): Nominees or their representatives will be notified.
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Data Submission: High-definition video (1920×1080 or higher).
2. Important Notes
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Compliance with copyright and portrait rights is mandatory.
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Music copyright must be cleared. No trademark infringements.
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Works must be filmed legally (drones, crowds, etc.).
3. Festival Participation (Important)
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Requirement: The nominated creator OR a representative (proxy) must attend the festival in person on Sunday, October 4th, regardless of whether they live in Japan or overseas.
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Travel/Hotel: At your own expense. (Accommodation support via Ibusuki Onsen Ryokan Cooperative is available).
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Staff-managed lodging: "Ibusuki Minato-ku Guesthouse" [Link /ibusuki.mg].
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Attendance at the After Party (Free Invitation) is requested.
[Entry Fee] (Includes Free Festival Pass)
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Within 10 mins: 1,000 JPY / 11–24 mins: 2,000 JPY / 25 mins+: 3,000 JPY
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Limit: One submission per person.
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Payment: For overseas remittance (PayPal, etc.), please contact: [email protected].
NPO Ibusuki Movie Project 1-7-14 Omure, Ibusuki, Kagoshima 891-0401, Japan Email: [email protected]
PayPal is convenient for international money transfers. national money transfers.