From 20th April, submissions are open for the 13th edition of the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival which will take place 20-24th November, 2026.

NEW CHITOSE 2026 is an animation festival dedicated to animated films held at the terminal building of New Chitose Airport (Hokkaido, JAPAN), which connects Hokkaido with the rest of the world.
The festival not only attracts attention as one of the few film festivals in the world where all screenings, lodgings, and stays are completed at the airport but also boasts the largest number of entries in the competition section in Japan. The festival also offers a multifaceted program including lectures by Japanese and foreign creators and exhibitions in public spaces. It has now grown into one of Japan’s top animation film festivals.

We look forward to your submissions! Please check out the selection committee. ‣https://airport-anifes.jp/en/about/team_newchitose/

NEW CHITOSE on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@airportanifes

Awards & Prizes

Short Film:
‣ Grand Prix - 1 million JPY
‣ New Talent Award - 200,000 JPY
‣ Japan Grand Prix - 500,000 JPY
‣ Best Student Film - memento
‣ Audience Award - 100,000 JPY

Music Animation:
‣ Best Music Animation - 100,000 JPY

Feature Film:
‣ Grand Prix - 300,000 JPY

NEW CHITOSE Digital Signage:
‣ Best Digital Signage - memento

Rules & Terms

>> COMPETITION CATEGORIES;
‣ Short Film (less than 30 minutes)
- International
- Japan
- Student

‣ Music Animation (less than 30 minutes, please submit to Short Film category)
- This category is for films with superior expression in animation and music, such as music videos.

‣ Feature Film (30minutes or more)

‣ NEW CHITOSE Digital Signage (15 or 30 seconds)

*Please note: VR works are not accepted in this edition of the festival.

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>> REGULATIONS
Submissions must be animated films completed in or after 2024. There is no submission fee.

Please read carefully and agree to the terms and conditions of the Submission Regulations before submitting works. By submitting a film through FilmFreeway, the applicant agrees to these guidelines (Please see after 20th April, 2026).
‣ Short Film and Feature Film ☞ https://airport-anifes.jp/en/competition/
‣ NEW CHITOSE Digital Signage ☞ https://airport-anifes.jp/en/competition/nc-digital-signage/

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>> INVITATIONS
‣ Short Film and Feature Film
The festival office will invite a director or producer of the selected film who is able to attend the Award Ceremony to be held on the last day of the festival period AND a talk session “Meet the Filmmakers” held during your visit (one person per film).

（1）Part of round-trip flight costs (as par the Festival Office regulations. *Please note; the films selected in Student Competition of Short Films category are not eligible.)
（2）Accommodation during the festival period (applicable only to hotels arranged by the Festival Office and only for one person)
（3）Part of meals during the festival (by meal coupon, as par with Festival Office regulations)

‣ Music Animation
The festival office will invite a director or producer of the selected film who is able to attend the screening program “Music Animation Competition” with the Award Ceremony during the festival period. (schedule TBA; one person per film)

（1）Part of round-trip flight costs (as par the Festival Office regulations)
（2）Accommodation during the festival period (applicable only to hotels arranged by the Festival Office and only for one person)
（3）Part of meals during the festival (by meal coupon, as par with Festival Office regulations)

‣ NEW CHITOSE Digital Signage
Selected applicants in this category will receive a laurel and selection certificate. Please contact our office if you wish to stay at the Air Terminal Hotel in New Chitose Airport during the festival. Details will be given upon the notification of the film selection.
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Max Hattler

    My new favourite favourite festival!

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Çağıl Harmandar

    Shin Chitose Airport Festival was great. We started with a great opening ceremony and ended with a closing party and ceremony. The competitions were interesting, the selection is diverse. They were so generous with the food at the ceremonies, the hotel stay, giving the directors even financial support for their travels and coupons to spend in the airport for meals etc. All of the team and organizers are really kind and communicative and very helpful. Really one of a kind animation festival in the world, any animator should experience this 🗾🙏

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Tang rehoo

    Great great festival. Professional organizers and hope to join you again in the future

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Theo W. Scott

    Outstanding festival! Unfortunately unable to attend although really enjoyed the programme. Thank you for screening Cuties and including me in your online panel. Hope to eventually attend in person!

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • kvali XXI

    Super New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival! Hope to join in 2021!

    January 2021
    Helpful