Winner videos for 2023:

Rock Music:
Karin Beckerus, Felix Swahn - Godzilla

Pop Music:
Riku Watanabe - Sailor Boy

Punk & Garage:
Jeb Hardwick - The Offspring - Behind Your Walls

Hip Hop:
Xavier Luciano, Stephen Tyson Jr. - Ol School

Electronica:
Chris Ianuzzi - Lonesome Highway Superstar

Other Catgeory:
Larry Fages - Wolves of Archway

Lifetime Achievement Award:
Shonen Knife

Japan Indies Music Awards are for Indies Artists the world over! If you are not in Japan, simply enter your music video! International Prizes go to "Best Rock Music Video," "Best Punk/Garage video, "Best Hip Hop Video," Best Electronica Video," and "Best Other Music" categories.

"What the Independent Spirit Awards were to the Oscars!" - Stephen David Brooks

The Japan Indies Music Awards (formerly Japan Ninja Indies Music Awards)

Hey Musicians! Japan's first ever indies music awards show is open to Indies artists all over the world . Our aim is to become like the Mercury Awards in the UK! All winners are guaranteed airplay worldwide on the Mike Rogers Show (on air on Japanese FM station and 55 stations worldwide) and entry to the Top 3 videos countdown originating from Tokyo! As well as the original trophy from our show! And our audience ALWAYS gets into our event for FREE so you KNOW you'll be in front of a full house!

Besides being broadcast worldwide on the Internet, there will be many label executives watching and at the show! Perhaps, you can get a Japan record deal?

The Japan Indies Music Awards celebrates the best in Indies music with an annual awards show at Milky Way, Shibuya and broadcast worldwide on the internet.

Besides the best of Indies Bands! The Japan Indies Music Video Awards. Just post your video and get into the action. We support all indies bands everywhere in the world!

The show is supported by the Mike Rogers Show (Which is on air in 19 countries, on Japanese FM radio (Love FM 76.1, WFMU in New York and 55 other stations!) and Mike is also our organiser and host.

The show will be held on May 2023 at the world famous Shibuya Milky Way Showroom in Shibuya, Tokyo. The event will be live featuring 3 bands and also screened worldwide online. The event will be hosted by Mike Rogers. It's going to be a great time!

Videos will be shown in the online TV show (worldwide) and the Awards Ceremony will be held at Shibuya Milky Way that night. Can your band hit the world scene by capturing a Japan Indies Music Award?

Like the Rock Horror Picture Show says, "Don't dream it, be it!"

Our Jury:

USA:
Josie Cotton - Head of Jury / Rock Star
Evan Bourgault - Podcaster

UK:
Elliot Grove - Founder of Raindance Film Festival London

Germany:
Gregor Samsa
Sheena Rogers

Canada:
Shauna McLarnon - Music Promoter

Japan:
Pianistar Hiroshi - World Famous Classical Pianist
Audrey Kimura - Benten Label & Head of SXSW Japan Nite
Stephen Benham - Singer, songwriter, Performer & Music/TV/Film Producer.
Motohisa Ono - Former Head of Disk Union
Ankei Yanagisawa - Founder F@N Communications
Takao Tanaka - Head of Shibuya Milky Way
Tyler Abstract - Podcaster

Awards & Prizes

Best Awards offered for:

Best Rock video
Best Punk/Garage video
Best Hip Hop video
Best Electronica video
Best other category
Lifetime Achievement Award (Japanese band only)

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms (Read carefully).

· Indies bands only need apply!

· Bands that are currently signed to a major label not eligible (Sony, Universal, Victor, Warner, etc. and their subsidiaries not eligible!)

· Any language is OK. Music is an international language. Subtitles are not necessary.

· All Entries must include a press pack including a short one-paragraph synopsis and short staff biography with a photo of director and producer for promotional use.

· All Entries must include a list of cast including high-quality photos for promotional use.

· Every submission has to pick one main category.

· Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories.

· All music video entries should be sent via FilmFreeway. Please do not send discs or any downloadable files to us.

· By entering Awards Show, filmmaker agrees that The Japan Indies Music Video Awards has the right to use any movie stills or promotional photos for Japan Ninja Indies Music Video Awards promotional purposes.

* Music Videos made after Jan. 2018 eligible

*Films must be in NTSC format.

*Winners may get distribution offers on the Mike Rogers Show (and others). Mike Rogers Show is on airs at Japanese FM stations and on all around the world in 19 nations and 55 stations, and growing by the week.

* Winning songs will also be listed on the Radio Indie Alliance top charts.

* We do not pay any screening fees.

*All music rights must be cleared through proper channels.

· Entries will not be returned

· Entry fees are non-refundable

* A project being Selected by the Selection Committee does not guarantee screening at the awards show. Many factors can cause non-screening of projects, though we do our best to eliminate them.

*Rules are subject to change due to current circumstances (Covid-19).

* We are the sister festival to Japan Indies Film Festival and Raindance Japan.

*Trophies are awarded to winners who attend the live event. If you cannot attend, please download the "Winner" Laurel that will be sent to you. And use it as you wish.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ignatius Rake

    A great honour to be nominated twice for the Japan Indies Music Awards. Would liked to have bagged a Ninja but clearly that was not be. Regardless, it was a great event with some excellent bands and people involved and in attendance. Definitely plan to enter again next year. Salutes to all concerned, whether in terms of entering videos, putting on the event, playing live on stage or just being there. Hats off to all!

    May 2023
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  • Victor Quinton

    So very HONORED to be selected to have had Folks from the great country of Japan to have the opportunity to view my Music Video, "You Are My God Thing".
    A great festival!!! I like to say, "A Big Texas Howdy" to all those responsible for making this festival possible.

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Karin Beckérus

    A professional, engaged and super cool festival, that I am honored to have been a part of. Great communication, great setting, only positive things to say of the process and management. And I do hope I will be able to attend the event show in Tokyo in the future. Highly recommended festival! <3

    May 2023
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  • Viktoria Robotika

    Having submitted to several other festivals, I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is by far one of the coolest around. My only regret is not having been able to attend the event show and concert in person because it seemed like a blast, but the live stream was still a ton of fun (I was playing rock-paper-scissors in my head, vicariously competing with the audience for the cool free merch they gave out at the show) and it was a thrill to hear my project called out on stage as a nominee. :) Thank you!

    May 2023
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  • Beck Black

    Mike Rogers is the coolest of the cool. He’s been DJ-ing for decades and has discovered a bevy of artists. I’m so honored I was nominated for “Best Rock Video” for the Ninja Awards in Tokyo, Japan! I look forward to submitting to the next festival!

    June 2022
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