[Message from JFFLA regarding the influence of COVID-19]

Currently, JFFLA 2022 is scheduled to be held online and in-person of 2022, but the way of screening may be changed depending on the trend of the number of COVID-19 infected people in LA in the future. Fortunately, our festival was held in-person and online 2021, but it was actually online only in 2020.
We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Nationwide, still hospitalizations are rising because of the delta and omicron variants, and we believe each one of us is still living with a great concern. Even under such circumstances, we are deeply grateful that medical professionals and those who help the situation are working while risking their lives. In order to stop the Coronavirus from spreading, what we can do now is not to go out and not to meet people unnecessarily. We would like to ask all of you to be responsible for your actions not only for yourself but also for the people around you.
We look forward to the day when everyone can go outside and watch wonderful movies in the theater together. Take care of your health and stay positive with hope.

JFFLA2022 Executive Committees
December 18, 2021

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The Japan Film Festival – Los Angeles started out in 2003 as the Chanoma Film Festival. The festival has been a vanguard event dedicated to strengthening the general understanding of Japanese culture 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 film 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 be held its 17th annual event ①online(for sure) and ②in-person(if possible) in 2022. Although the festival is still young, it is supported by members with unlimited potential. The committee members and volunteers are passionately dedicated to making this event the best it can be.

We hope to uncover new talent in the Japanese film industry through this festival, and to promote cultural exchange between the US and Japan. With these hopes in mind, we bring you Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2022.

Awards & Prizes

Award Certificates and plaques

Rules & Terms

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2022
(Film Submission Details)

Submission requirements
- JFFLA2022 public selection will be online and theater screening(if possible) from September 12th(Monday) to 18th(Sunday).
But depends on the situation, it will be online only/postponed.
- JFFLA2022 online screening will be basically worldwide .
- It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure that rights for all images and music used in the film have been cleared.
- Selected films need to have English subtitles whenever the dialogue is not in English.
*JFFLA can provide information on subtitling services. Please contact us if you need.
- The film may have been previously screened or released.
- In the case of Japanese director, writer and producer, the theme does not have to be related to Japan, but if those are non-Japanese ones, something (shooting locations, the concept, culture, tradition) must be related to Japan, or the leading roles or many actors are 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 film festival promotional materials, including websites, social media, brochures, and flyers.
Important Notice: By submitting your film to JFFLA, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted all application requirements. In the case of falsehood or serious errors, your film will be excluded. And you may be required to compensate for the expenses borne by the festival committee.

Categories for submissions
- 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.

Film acceptance
If submitted film is selected to be in the final competition, notification will be sent to you via e-mail or phone. Accepted films can expect a response from JFFLA by May 22th(Sunday), 2022 (PDT). We won’t answer any questions such as the screening status, reasons for receiving the award, or reasons for not being able to receive the award.
*Please do not call the JFFLA office. We will contact you directly.

Prize/ Award
There will be a Jury award. The winner will receive a prize. The prize will be original, and will be presented at the ceremony, or will be announced online and be mailed to you.

How to submit film
Please upload to https://filmfreeway.com  and complete the application form with your film link by the deadline.  
                                                                                                                                                 
Deadline (PDT)
Early submission dead line - February 6th(Sunday), 2022
Normal submission dead line - February 7th(Monday) to March 20th(Sunday), 2022
Late submission deadline – March 20th(Monday) to April 24th(Sunday), 2022

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 entry 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 reason.
＊The entry fee will vary depending on the length of the movie and time of submission.

Questions?
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles Committee (Submission)
Email:  info@jffla.org
Official Website:  http://www.jffla.org/
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 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
    Helpful
  • 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
    Helpful
  • 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.

  • Yurugu Matsumoto

    Continuing from last year, I am honored to have selected my movie this year as well.
    Moreover, I received the award for two years in a row.
    thanks so much!
    See you next year!

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

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