Winners of the 4th Miyakojima Charity International Film Festival

Special Documentary Award
" Namadu Sarabanji: Now Is My Youth " - Director: RODO IZUMIYAMA

Shining Personality Award
" MISS Determination" - Director: Shingo Ikura – Featuring Haruna Inoue

Best Documentary Award
" Embrace the Present "- Director: Hiroyuki Fukuyori

Short Film Dauntless Award
" The Quirky Residents "- Director: Natsuko Aratama

Narrative Short Film Special Award
" Life of Blessings " - Director: KAZUTAKA TANAKA

Best Editing – Narrative Short Film Award
" EXTREME FLASHBACKER " - Director: Fumiya Hara

Best Director – Narrative Feature Film Award
" The Truth of 49 Days "- Director: Yuji Nakamae

Narrative Feature Film Best Supporting Actor Award
" Purple Lilac "- Director: Daisuke Ban - Supporting Actor: Daisuke Ban

Narrative Feature Film Best Lead Actor Award
" Godmother: The Life of Ayako Koshino " - Director: Takeshi Sone - Lead Actor: Mao Daichi

Best Foreign Language Film Award
" How I Spent My Summer Vacation " - Director: Kenneth R. Frank

Narrative Feature Film Excellence Award
" KISHIMI " - Director: MORIKAWA KEI

Narrative Feature Film Grand Prix Award
" Godmother: The Life of Ayako Koshino " - Director: Takeshi Sone

The following films have been nominated for the Miyakojima Charity International Film Festival. Congratulations!

-Nominatedノミネート-

Narrative Feature 長編ドラマ
*The Truth of 49 Days -Yuji Nakamae
*Purple Lilac -Daisuke Ban
*KISHIMI – Kei Morikawa
*How I Spent My Summer Vacation- Kenneth R. Frank
*Ayako Koshino: The Godmother of Japanese Fashion – Takeshi Sone

Narrative Short 短編ドラマ
*The Quirky Residents – Natsuko Aratama
*BIWAMONI!-Arisa's Industry AD Edition - Murayama J Sashi
*Life of Blessings - KAZUTAKA TANAKA
*Spring of GOZE- Rena Masuyama
*EXTREME FLASHBACKER - Fumiya Hara
*Boundary Line - Tomoki Ota
*Whistle In the Dark- Connor Alexander Preston Pannell

Short Documentary 短編ドキュメンタリー
*Embrace the Present- Hiroyuki Fukuyori
*MISS - Shingo Ikura
Feature Documentary 長編ドキュメンタリー
*Namadu Sarabanji: Now Is My Youth - RODO IZUMIYAMA
Festival Invitation　招待作品　
*VERONICA-Masaya Kato

-Selected セレクト-
Narrative Feature 長編ドラマ
*Youth In Trouble- Dimitar Orovcanec
*Water Lilies - Chanho LEE
Narrative Short 短編ドラマ
*Ode to Keeping a House Sweet - Zihao SU
Short Documentary 短編ドキュメンタリー
*The Discoverer of the Discoverers – C. S. Nicholson
*Palau, An Ocean Inheritance - Skylar Chen, Rayne Sullivan
Feature Documentary 長編ドキュメンタリー
*忘れられた女性たち　戦後中国残留夫人考- Naizhen Wang
*North Cormorant Osland - John Harford Williams, Yu Iwasaki

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The 4th Miyakojima International Film Festival is now accepting entries.
This festival aims to showcase innovative independent cinema and the latest virtual reality films from emerging artists worldwide.

**Event Dates:** July 3-5, 2026

**Festival Highlights:**
- Broadcasting unique films and videos with distinct messages from new talents to the world from Miyakojima.
- Seeking entries in all genres, including short films, medium-length films, feature films, drama, experimental, comedy, horror, slow cinema, sci-fi, fantasy, animation, and documentaries.
- No theme restrictions.

A portion of the event's proceeds will be donated to youth development projects in Miyakojima.

**We welcome submissions from those interested in entering their work.**

The official Miyakojima International Film Festival (MIFF) is sponsored by Katsuya Shibayama (and more) and is an annual film festival meant to showcase innovative independent cinema from around the world by up-and-coming artists.

The official Miyakojima International Film Festival (MIFF) is a true independent international film festival supporting young talent around the world.

Creating dreams and hope through cinema is our vision. Returning Japan to the glory days of cinema for young filmmakers and independent artists the goal of the official Miyakojima International Film Festival (MIFF).

Our Jury includes some of Japan's top filmmakers and other famous filmmakers as well as industry leaders on the Arts as Jury members from around the world.

The island of Miyakojima is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, perfect for sunning, swimming, and snorkeling. When you’re sun-spent, migrate to the Miyakojima City Makida Shinmin Gekijou to view some of the world's best independent cinema!

Our festival is the first-ever film festival held in the Japanese Oasis known as Miyakojima in the Okinawan peninsula where it is warm all year round! The screenings will be held at Matida Shinmin Gekijo. And more events and parties held at the beautiful Crystal Villa.

Festival Program Overview
Day 1:
• 9:30 – Screening of entry films
• 15:00 – Red Carpet
• 15:20 – Opening Remarks
• 15:30 – Special Screening
• Around 18:00 – End of program
• 18:30 – Opening Party (Invite only)
Day 2:
• 9:30–22:00 – Screening of nominated films
• Talk sessions before select screenings
Day 3:
• 0:30 – Screening of nominated films
• 12:00 – Special Screening
• 15:00 – Red Carpet
• 15:40 – Award Ceremony
• 16:20 – Special Performance / Live Music
• 17:40 – Closing Remarks
• 18:00 – Festival Ends
• 18:30 – After Party (Invite only)

Our categories include:
*Narrative Feature
*Narrative Short
*Documentary Feature
*Documentary Short
*Awards will be given for best Actor & Actress
*Best Supporting Actor Award, and more

The official Miyakojima International Film Festival (MIFF) hopes to be the voice and representation for films with a unique voice and message, regardless of how low the budget might be.

We are aiming to inspire, motivate and award new talent with a revitalised film festival that all of Japan can be proud of.

The official Miyakojima International Film Festival (MIFF) accepts all forms and genres: short films, medium-length films, feature films, drama, experimental, comedy, horror, slow cinema, science fiction, fantasy, animation, and documentary.

Above all, we are proud to welcome you all to our indies filmmakers’ festival! Miyakojima International Film Festival (MIFF).

Some winning films will be eligible for distribution deals in Japan subject to your negotiations with distributor.

-----------------
Organizers:
Miyakojima Charity International Film Festival Executive Committee
Chairman: Katsuya Shibayama

Event Operated by: Resort Life Corporation

English c/o: Mike Rogers
日本語: 徳竹未夏
7-3-4 #214 Tanimachi, Cyuou-ku, Osaka-shi, Japan
Webpage: http://10ants.jp/
Telephone: +81-06-6191-7605

Office Hours:
Weekdays　10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM

*10 Ants Corporation: http://10ants.jp/
*Matida Shinmin Gekijyou: https://mice.okinawastory.jp/venue/venue-all/v-367/
*Matida Shinmin Gekijyou Official: https://www.city.miyakojima.lg.jp/soshiki/kyouiku/syougaigakusyu/bunkahall/schedule.html
*Crystal Villa: https://crystalvilla.jp/miyakojima/

Awards & Prizes

Awards will be given for 1st prize.

The categories will be for Awards & Prizes:

Best Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Short
Best Documentary
Others (Audience award, etc.)

Rules & Terms

Miyakojima International Film Festival 2026
— Rules & Submission Guidelines　Submission Requirements

1. Production Year: Only films produced on or after January 1, 2022, are eligible.
2. Running Time: Feature films must be 40 minutes or longer; short films must be 39 minutes or shorter.
3. Language: There are no restrictions on the language used in the film. However, English or Japanese subtitles are required. Japanese-language films must include a synopsis in both English and Japanese.
4. Submission Categories: A single film may be submitted to multiple categories.
5. Theme: There are no thematic restrictions; all themes are welcome.
6. 　Promotional Rights: By submitting, the applicant agrees that the festival organizers may use still images or promotional materials from the submitted film for festival-related purposes.
7. Press Kit: Each submission must include the following:
o Photos of the director and producer
o A one-paragraph synopsis of the film
o Short biographies of key staff
8. Cast List: A list of cast members accompanied by high-resolution photos must be submitted for promotional use.

Screening Format
• Video Format: NTSC
• Japanese-language films do not require a dialogue sheet.

For Nominated and Screened Films
1. Subtitles:
*Films not in Japanese must be submitted with Japanese subtitles.
*Japanese-language films must be submitted with English subtitles.
*If selected for screening, the film must be sent as a digital file by the given deadline.
*Detailed instructions will be provided via email to selected filmmakers.
File requirements:
*Format: NTSC Full HD (1920×1080)
*Codec: H.264 .mp4
*Audio: 2 channels
*File access period: Set download link to expire in 100 days
*Submission email: mika2469@gmail.com
2. Nomination Notification:
*Nominees will be contacted as soon as their nomination is confirmed, even prior to the official submission deadline.
3. Subtitle and Transfer Costs:
*All costs for subtitling and data transfer are the responsibility of the filmmaker.
4. Screening Guarantee:
*Not all nominated films are guaranteed to be screened at the festival.
5. Director Attendance:
*Directors of screened films are required to attend the festival. Travel and accommodation expenses are to be covered by the participant.

Judging
1. Judging Fee: There is no submission or judging fee.
2. Music Rights: All music used in the submission must have clearly defined rights.
3. Refunds: Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
4. Screening Guarantee: Selection by the programming committee does not guarantee screening.
5. Screening Issues: While the festival will do its best to ensure screening, technical or unavoidable circumstances may arise.
6. Regulation Changes: Rules and regulations are subject to change due to social or organizational reasons.
7. Result Disclosure: The festival will not disclose the details or reasoning of the judging process. Inquiries about judging results will not be answered.

Contact Information
• Miyakojima International Film Festival Pre-Screening Committee
📧 infomiyakojimafilm@gmail.com
• Festival Operations: Resort Life Corporation
📧 info@10ants.jp (Attn: Tokutake)

This version was updated for the 2026 edition of the Miyakojima International Film Festival.
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Shawna Brandle

    We were thrilled to travel to Miyakojima to attend our World Premiere of How I Spent My Summer Vacation. The communication from the festival team was excellent, the venue was beautiful, and we were able to meet filmmakers from Japan and all over the world at events. What a wonderful way for us to first share this film, and we were honored to take home the award for Best Foreign Language Film. A sincere thanks to the entire staff of the festival for making us feel so welcome.

    July 2025
    Helpful
  • Rionne McAvoy

    Amazing festival. It was such an honor to have The Ones Left Behind: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan included in this festival.

    July 2023
    Helpful