This is a new film festival established by former staff members of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival, one of Japan’s most historic film festivals.

In 2023, a small-scale precursor to this festival was launched and held in three towns across Hokkaido.

In 2024, it officially launched as the “Hokkaido International Film Festival” and embarked on an ambitious challenge to tour seven towns across Hokkaido.

Over 900 films were submitted from around the world, and carefully selected works were screened at each venue, attracting many film industry professionals.

Following meticulous preparations in 2025, the 2nd Hokkaido International Film Festival received over 1,100 submissions and was held from January to March 2026, touring three towns in Hokkaido.

And now, it has been decided that the 3rd Hokkaido International Film Festival will be held in 2027!

It will take place at three locations across Hokkaido during the beautiful season of May and June.
There is no other film festival in Hokkaido that is held on such a large scale and across such a wide area.

Hokkaido’s breathtakingly beautiful scenery, the warm hospitality of its people, and its delicious cuisine are waiting with open arms for filmmakers from around the world!

Awards & Prizes

Live-action films are divided into three categories based on runtime. In addition, we have established new categories for animated films—which have seen a growing number of submissions—and films primarily created using AI, bringing the total to five categories.

1. Best International Short Film (Live-action, under 30 minutes)

2. Best International Mid-length Film (Live-action, 30–60 minutes)

3. Best International Feature Film (Live-Action, 60 minutes or longer)

4. Best International Animation Film (No time limit)

5. Best International AI Film (No time limit)

Winners in each category will receive a “Golden Owl” (hand-carved by artisans). Additionally, an Audience Award and a Special Jury Prize will be selected, and certificates will be awarded.

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility Requirements
- Films must be completed on or after January 1, 2025.
- Entries must be original works by the filmmaker or their team.
- There are no restrictions on nationality, age, technical skill, or qualifications.
- Narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, AI, or any other genre is acceptable. However, films that promote discrimination or violate human rights will not be accepted.

2. Entry Format
- Films must be submitted in digital format.
- The resolution must be 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) or higher.
- If the film’s original language is neither Japanese nor English, English subtitles must be provided.

3. Entry Fee
- An entry fee is required for each film. The fee will vary depending on the application status, length of the film, and the time of application.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- A valid student ID must be presented to receive the student discount.
- Entry fees may be waived if you are unable to pay the entry fee due to a disaster or other circumstances. Please inquire by e-mail.

4. How to Apply
- Submissions from outside Japan must be made via the official festival submission platform, FilmFreeway.
- Submissions from within Japan can be made via the official festival website.

5. Rights
- Filmmakers grant the Hokkaido International Film Festival the right to screen the submitted film during the festival period.
- The Hokkaido International Film Festival reserves the right to use excerpts from submitted films for promotional purposes.

6. Selection Process
- Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of industry professionals.
- Films will be evaluated based on criteria such as originality, artistic merit, storytelling, and technical proficiency.

7. Notification
- Filmmakers will be notified of the selection results via email by the notification date.
- Filmmakers selected as finalists will receive detailed instructions regarding screening dates, venues, file formats and promotional materials.

8. Finalists' Conditions
- Finalists must provide a high-resolution digital copy of their film (MP4 or MOV) for screening at the festival.
- Finalists will be expected to participate in post-screening Q&A sessions (either onsite or online) and promotional activities as requested by the festival.

9. Screening
- Films selected as finalists will be screened at one or more venues.
- In addition to the finalists, films that are deemed worthy of being screened may be selected for the Out of Competition, where they will be screened with the consent of the filmmakers.
- In case of a pandemic or other unforeseen circumstances, films may be screened online.

10. Travel Expenses
- Participants are responsible for covering their own travel expenses to attend the festival.

11. Reception
- All finalists and filmmakers whose films have been selected for screening will be invited to the reception party (up to two guests per film may attend free of charge; any additional guests will be charged at cost).

12. Prize Winners
- Winners will be determined by the jury and announced at the final ceremony of the festival.

13. Other Regulations
- The filmmaker is responsible for ensuring that all necessary rights and permissions have been obtained for the submitted film.
- The Festival organizers reserve the right to change the schedule and program as necessary.

Please read these guidelines carefully before submitting your film to the Hokkaido International Film Festival. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by e-mail.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Liton Paul

    Thank you to the jury members and the selection committee for honouring our film with the Special Jury Award. The communication team was amazing and very helpful , they continuously followed up by email , great management . all the best for your future.

    Liton Paul
    Director, Nyingma: Through Her Eyes

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Pilju Jung

    The festival’s passion for film was truly inspiring, and it was a wonderful opportunity to share meaningful and engaging stories about cinema.
    It was also a valuable and memorable experience to watch great films and meet wonderful people.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your review! I'm relieved to see your rating. Thanks to your work and other significant contributions, a new AI division has been established. Show me another “world”!

  • Junghwi Souk

    It was a wonderful film festival where we could fully enjoy the pleasure of movies. I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who made this time, which will remain the greatest memory of 2026, possible.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your review! I'm relieved to see your rating. Thanks to your work and other significant contributions, a new AI division has been established.I'm looking forward to the full-length version!

  • Michael Angelo Pogoy

    We're able to present our film Papa's Coding day in HIFF and I am able to attend their shot film competition screening in Abashiri. The weather is cold as ice, but the people are really warm and welcoming. The Festival was intimate and you can really connect with the organizers and other filmmakers. I had the best time of my life! Thank you for bringing me to Hokkaido, Japan, please continue your mission to bring the art of film in hard to reach areas.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi Michael-san! Thanks for coming all the way to Abashiri! And congratulations on your award! You and your film were loved by everyone in the audience. It seems your team members were happy too. I want to congratulate everyone!

  • Derrick Lui

    What an incredible edition of the Hokkaido International Film Festival! Congratulations to the entire team on such a successful and vibrant event. The programming was inspiring.

    Thank you so much for selecting our film, Oversteer, to be a part of it. We are deeply honoured. A special thank you also for creating the Japanese subtitles; it meant so much to us that the audience could connect with the film in their native language.

    Your generous travel subsidy was also immensely appreciated and made our journey to beautiful Hokkaido possible. We are so grateful for the experience and your wonderful hospitality.

    August 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your incredibly kind message. It means a great deal to our entire team. We’re truly honoured that Oversteer could be part of this year’s Hokkaido International Film Festival, and it was a privilege for us to share your powerful work with our audiences in Japan.

    We are especially glad to hear that the Japanese subtitles helped create a meaningful connection with viewers — that is exactly what we hoped for.

    Meeting you in person was a highlight for us, and your presence brought great value to the festival.

    We sincerely appreciate your participation and look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back to Hokkaido again in the future.