✦ JSFF 13 – IN BETWEEN ✦
Open Call for Submissions | 13th Japanese-Serbian Film Festival

Japanese Serbian Film Festival (JSFF) invites filmmakers to explore the spaces where identities, societies, and technologies exist in between—between past and future, tradition and innovation, local and global, certainty and uncertainty.

For its 13th edition, JSFF focuses on films that capture liminal moments of transition—personal, cultural, and cinematic. We welcome works from Japan and Serbia, as well as international entries that resonate with our cross-cultural mission.

Possible interpretations of “IN BETWEEN”:
• Characters navigating life transitions: adolescence, migration, career shifts, family dynamics, personal transformation.
• Societies in flux: economic change, political shifts, cultural hybridization, and evolving identities.
• Cinema itself “in between”: analog and digital, local and global, art and industry, tradition and experimentation.
• Technologies reshaping human experience: AI, automation, digital identities, climate adaptation, and future realities.

JSFF remains committed to fostering dialogue between Japanese and Serbian filmmakers, while opening space for global perspectives that reflect an increasingly interconnected world.

Categories:
• Feature Film Competition (Japan / Serbia / International)
• Short Film Competition (Japan / Serbia / International)
Optional Categories:
• J-Drama
• Animation

• Special Focus: IN BETWEEN – curated thematic programs, retrospectives, and industry panels

Selected films will be screened in Belgrade in November–December 2026

JSFF is an annual bi-city film and cultural festival founded in 2014, dedicated to cultural diversity and the convergence of Japanese and Serbian cinematic voices.

Awards & Prizes

JSFF2026 PRESENTS NEW SELECTION OF AWARDS
Award fund and specific awarding allocation to be announced prior to the event.

JSFF FEATURE
■ BEST JAPANESE FILM
■ BEST SERBIAN FILM
Notice: The jury will decide the annual festival's best film from the two.

JSFF SHORTS
■ BEST SHORT FILM
■ BEST JAPANESE SHORT (Serbian Jury Award)
■ BEST SERBIAN SHORT (Japanese Jury Award)

■ NIKOLA STOJANOVIC LEGACY

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

- Country of production or co-production: Japan or Serbia (JSFF NATIVE);
- Non-JSFF NATIVE COUNTRIES are able to apply only if the film is co-produced in one of JSFF NATIVE COUNTRIES (Japan or Serbia);
- JSFF NATIVE director who made a film outside of JSFF NATIVE COUNTRIES is allowed to apply.

Qualification terms

🗸Feature film Length: Minimum of 60 minutes.
🗸Short film Length: Maximum of 30 minutes.
🗸J-Drama(up to 2 episodes): Maximum time per episode: 60mins
🗸Animations: Short or Feature will be screened in short or feature sessions; Anime series can allow up to 2 episodes per title, Maximum time per episode: of 60mins
🗸Genre: All genres
🗸Year of Productions: All movies made after January 1st 2025.
🗸Video format: h.264 (DCP - conditional to venue)
🗸English subtitles
🗸Minimum required materials: Poster, Synopsis, Trailer and subtiles (srt file).

***
By applying to JSFF, applicants allow the festival to exhibit/screen films at JSFF travelling events and/or use works for education, and/or festival promotion; JSFF can use the prints for the purpose of PR with maximum care and caution but cannot be held for any unpredictable damage of the file during shipping, use, preview or screening; JSFF also is not responsible for any copyright, trademark, credits to all participants or author rights issues.
By submitting the work, applicants understand that JSFF claims screening rights for a period of 5 years in the line-up of the festival's re-run.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 真治 佐々木

    The Japan-Serbia Film Festival, held in two locations—Japan (Osaka/Kansai Expo site) and Serbia (Belgrade)—was a truly wonderful festival where culture connected across distances.
    It was enveloped in a warm atmosphere where one could truly feel that, despite being from different countries, the passion for film is the same.
    And I feel deeply honoured that my work was nominated there.
    It was an unforgettable, splendid film festival where I experienced the moment Japan and Serbia connected through cinema.

    December 2025
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  • Chavo Photo

    The Japanese-Serbian Film Festival treated my film with exceptional care and warmth.
    I am honored to receive the Best Short Film Award at this edition of the festival.
    Although I was unable to attend in person, the festival’s thoughtful statement about the film gave me meaningful insight into how it resonated with them, which I deeply appreciate.

    I hope to visit Serbia in the future and engage directly with the audience and festival team.

    December 2025
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  • Takayuki Yoshikawa

    JSFF is an extraordinary film festival that beautifully fosters the sharing and mutual respect of each other's cultures. I extend my utmost respect and gratitude to everyone who contributed to the creation of this festival.

    December 2023
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  • Maša Šarović

    Wonderful festiva, will go back againl!!

    November 2022
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  • Takashi Okado

    A huge shoutout to the entire team for delivering a wonderful festival virtually and being so accommodating and inclusive! . Thank you festival team!

    November 2021
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