Rising Cinema Film Festival is a NEW kind of festival
FILM FESTIVAL x FILM CLUB featured in Japan

Our AIM is "KAIZEN" // Powerful Japanese Key for Improvement
As a place for Filmmakers + Storytellers to GROW TOGETHER

Featuring Officially Selected Films from:
USA, South America, Africa, South Asia + Japan!

Be a PART of Rising Cinema from the GROUND UP!

We serve Filmmakers + Storytellers with constructive feedback
along with Official Film Festival Laurels from here in Japan
via our Film Education YouTube Channel // Rising Cinema

Our audience includes:
Award-Winning Producers, Directors, and IMDB Listed Filmmakers

We LOVE to feature EMERGING CINEMA + RISING FILMMAKERS ~
This is your MOMENT!

ABOUT US

We work with Japan's Toei Studios, Shochiku Studios, Kyoto Filmmakers Lab, and got recognized by Hollywood Filmmaker, David F Sandberg (Lights Out, Shazam!)

Our alumni have gone to:
Hollywood, Disney, Marvel, Independent Film, Broadway + more

In our commitment to Film Education,
we Launch with FREE SUBMISSIONS

We have teaching experience at FSU College of Motion Picture Arts (Barry Jenkins, Wes Ball) Palm Beach Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College + Regent University's Film School

DISCOVER YOUR AUDIENCE

You’ve worked hard - your film deserves an audience! On our channel, your film gets the spotlight to find new fans, following + join our talented community of IMDB listed and Award-Winning Writers, Directors, Producers + Independent Filmmakers ~

Filmmakers will also be able to share and contribute to other films in our community ( similar to DUST, Short of the Week, Shortverse, etc )

ROLLING RESPONSE

Note: If your film is wait-listed, you may re-submit

Awards & Prizes

We are HIGHLY COMPETITIVE and select films for:
QUALITY + EDUCATIONAL POTENTIAL

SEMI-FINALISTS will be Short-Listed (we may feature Preview Clips)
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS will be Featured for Review + Festival Program
AWARD WINNERS will receive a Physical Festival Award (no extra fees)

We will want to Share About YOU (see Submission Form Q&A):
Let's hear Your Story!

AWARD CATEGORIES (TBD):

• BEST SHORT (Under 10min)
• BEST SHORT (Under 5min)
• BEST STUDENT FILM
• BEST NO BUDGET FILM
• MOST INSPIRATIONAL

We will evaluate your film for overall quality, educational material and festival merit, before programming for our online film festival -
and let you know, so YOU can join the Premiere!

We love celebrating and walking alongside Filmmakers on their Cinematic Journey!

You also have the option to PROMOTE your Sites / Socials on your Listing, so audiences can ENGAGE with you, and find your work!
( similar to our friends at DUST, Short of the Week, etc )

Films Selected / Online Review will receive FESTIVAL LAURELS
AWARDS announced / mailed after Festival Season has closed

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WHAT WE LOOK FOR

• Craft - Directing, Acting, Cinematography, Design, Editing, etc
• Emotion - How does the Message or Theme resonate?
• Innovation - Does your film try new things + What did you learn?
• Values - Strong Creative Voice, or Inspirational Themes (any genre)

WE AVOID

• Abstract Films or Music videos with no or little story
• Special Effects driven films
• Promotional or Commercial pieces
• Travel / Timelapse videos
• Comedies that use a single punchline
• Documentaries without a strong narrative
• R-rated / Adult Content or Foul Language

We believe EVERY FILM / STORY has merit - there is no "perfect film"

We simply share a few areas to IMPROVE (Kaizen)
while CELEBRATING your Journey as a Filmmaker

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms:

1. Must be Under 15min*

2. English Language or English Subtitles
( hard-encoded or provide SRT )

3. All Rights Must Be Secured ( including music )
( YouTube can not screen copyright issues )

4. Must Meet YouTube content rating guidelines

5. Press Kit Required (Poster, Stills, etc)

6. By Submitting,
Filmmaker agrees to screen their work online - via Rising Cinema on YouTube
( for educational / festival use only )

7. If Selected, Your film must be ready to DOWNLOAD
via FilmFreeway Page - or send a download link in 7 days
( your film will be securely managed and never distributed )

NOTE:
Selected Films without Download Access cannot be featured / shown

Ideal Format / Specs:

H264 / H265 MOV or MP4
16:9 Widescreen Aspect
1080x1920 or 3840x2160
23.97 or 24 fps
Stereo 48kHz

We will never sell or distribute your film - all rights remain yours
(We're filmmakers - we respect your work + content ownership)

PREMIERE / PRIVACY

If SELECTED:
Having "Japan Premiere" or "Online Premiere" STATUS is your choice

Not ready to post or go public? If you have a preferred launch date for your film launch, we will do our best to program based on your preferred - and advanced notice is ideal.

Refund Policy:

Once a film is submitted, we cannot refund a submission fee. As with most film festivals, the submission fee is essential for each film to be considered and programmed for film presentation and education from our studio. Submission does not guarantee a film will be accepted by Rising Cinema Film Festival. If a film is not accepted, submission fees cannot not be refunded. If necessary, special circumstances may receive further explanation.

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*Exceptions can be made - this is simply a guideline for selection
Disqualified Films will receive an explanation if necessary

1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jimmy Alejandro Castro Zambrano

    I thank the Festival for its official selection, receptivity and subsequent recognition.
    どうもありがとうございます。

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Congratulations on your Official Selection and Cinematic Achievement! Thank You for your generous review - We are grateful to have connected through your Film "No To War", and so excited for your next projects and stories!