JFFLA2023 Theme “ぬくもり(nu-ku-mo-ri)”
“When you are with your family, friends, a significant other, or someone you care about, you get a warm ‘feeling’. Sometimes, you can get a feeling from a meaningful place or thing, like a house, a room, or even just words. We at JFFLA2023 want to provide this special feeling through the films selected to be shown at our festival.”

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Currently, JFFLA 2023 is scheduled to be held both online and in-person in 2023. Should there be any format or scheduling changes due to COVID-19 or any other unexpected circumstances, we will adjust and announce our plans accordingly.
We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

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The Japan Film Festival – Los Angeles started in 2003 as the Chanoma Film Festival. The festival has been a vanguard event dedicated to strengthening the general understanding of Japanese culture and traditions among American and Japanese audiences in Los Angeles.

This festival was originally created on the theme of “Chanoma”--the gathering place of a Japanese home(living room)--and showcased heartwarming films portraying the everyday life of a Japanese family. In 2008, in order to introduce Japanese films to a broader American audience and offer Japanese filmmakers inroads into the US market, the name of the festival was changed to “Japan Film Festival Los Angeles (JFFLA)”.

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles will hold its 18th annual event in 2023: ① online (for sure) and ② in-person (subject to change). Although the festival is still young, it is supported by dedicated members and volunteers with unlimited potential, with a collective vision of making the event as best as it can be. 
We hope to uncover new talent in the Japanese film industry through this festival, as well as promote a greater cultural exchange and understanding between the US and Japan. With these hopes in mind, we are excited to introduce and welcome you to the Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2023.

Awards & Prizes

Award Certificates and plaques

Rules & Terms

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2023
(Film Submission Details)

The submission starts from 12/1(Thu) in 2022 to 4/16(Sun) in 2023.

Deadline (PDT)
Early submission dead line – February 5(Sun), 2023.
Normal submission dead line – March 19th(Sun), 2023.
Late submission deadline – April 16th(Sun), 2023.

Submission Categories
- Short Film – running time from 5 to 30 min.
- Short Plus Film – running time from 31 to 60 min.
- Feature Film – running time from 61 - 120 min.

Submission Fee
(The following will be charged as the entry fee. it does not promise to be screened.)
Short Film Submission Fee - $20 (Early) / $30(Normal) / $50(Late)
Short Plus Film Submission Fee - $30 (Early) / $40(Normal) / $70(Late)
Feature Film Submission Fee - $40 (Early) / $60(Normal) / $100(Late)

*About the fee
＊Even if you pay the entry fee, we do not guarantee the screening.
＊We will not refund the entry fee after application for whatever the reason is.
＊The entry fee will vary depending on the length of the movie and time of submission.

Submission Requirements
- The JFFLA 2023 selected films from the public submission will be held online with a worldwide audience and in-person (unless otherwise announced) in Los Angeles from September 1st (Friday) to 13th (Wednesday) for online, and 15th (Friday), 16th (Saturday) and 17th (Sunday) for in-person.

- It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure that all rights associated with the images and music used in the film, as well as the film itself, have been cleared.

- Selected films are required to have English subtitles whenever the dialogue is not in English.
*JFFLA can provide information on subtitling services. Please contact us if needed.

- It is acceptable for the film to have been previously screened or released.

- Films that are submitted with a Japanese director, writer and/or producer are not required for the theme to be related to Japan.

- Films that are submitted with non-Japanese directors, writers, and/or producers are required to be related to Japan (shooting locations, concept, culture, tradition, etc.), or the leading actors (or multiple actors in supporting roles) must be Japanese.

Other Requirements
Permission for promotional use: Your submission indicates your acceptance of the use of your film’s image captures, excerpts, or trailers for JFFLA promotional materials, including websites, social media, brochures, and flyers.

Important Notice: By submitting your film for consideration to JFFLA, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted all submission requirements. In the case of falsehood, negligence, or serious errors, your film will be excluded and/or disqualified, and you may be subject to compensate for any expenses borne by the festival committee.

Film Acceptance
When a film is selected to be in the final competition and shown at JFFLA, the submitter will receive a notification via e-mail or phone, with the contact provided in submission. Accepted films can expect a response from JFFLA by end of day May 21st (Sunday), 2023 (PDT).
*Please do not contact JFFLA; We will contact you directly. JFFLA will not answer questions regarding submission screening updates, reasons for a film being accepted or not accepted, reasons for a film being awarded or not awarded, and the like.

Prize / Award
There will be a Jury award. A winner will receive an original prize. It will be presented at the in-person ceremony (or online) and will be mailed to you after the close of the film festival.

Submission Instructions
Please upload and complete the application form at the website below by the deadline.
https://filmfreeway.com

Questions?
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles Committees (Submission)
Email:  jffla2023@gmail.com
Official Website:  http://www.jffla.org/
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lynn Estomin

    Although I was not able to attend the festival in person, the staff made every effort to involve me and my crew in the fest, including taping interviews. The lineup was wonderful and I was very honored that Living in the Story was named Best Documentary. Thank you for an awesome festival.

    September 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Lynn. We will waiting your next film.

  • Loaded Films

    In handling int'l film festival engagements for our client, we had a very positive experience dealing with JFFLA! Accommodating with requests, good communication, and they treated the film with respect. It even won an important prize (the Nobuhiko Obayashi Award) which the director and producers in Japan were extremely pleased about. 今後ともよろしくお願いいたします。

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your wonderful film!!!
    Looking forward to seeing you soon!!

  • Wilson Mbiavanga

    Amazin and grounded Festival. The team was careful with the needs of the filmmakers. I would more than recommend JFFLA to anyone. Thank you so much for the nomination!

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your wonderful film!!
    We really enjoyed watching your film, you know!!!
    Hope to see you soon!!!

  • Geoffrey Mark

    The JFFLA is one of the most hospitable festivals I've ever experienced. The people who run it made sure I knew what was going on, even with the covid lockdowns. Even without and in-person festival it ran smoothly. A wonderful group to work with!

    November 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Geoffrey !! We will looking forward to your new films.

  • Kazuhiro Kiuchi

    You should to join this film festival If you want to find Japanese culture and sprits in the latest movies !

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Kazuhiro !! We will looking forward to your new films.