Japan World Film Festival (JWFF) is a live screening International Film Festival.
The Festival runs across in three cities Tokyo, Nagano, Ibaraki in Japan, giving much wider exposer for the nominated filmmakers. We showcase high quality short films from around the world celebrating the world diverse culture through art and cinema.

《CONCEPT》
JWFF celebrates regional diversity and uniqueness of each venues in Japan as well as the world cinema. The Festival concept is "DISCOVERING DIVERSITY" through cinema, celebrating cultural diversities. LOVE, MUSIC, FOOD, LGBT and ANIME are the prominent categories.

We are passionate about ART of STORY TELLING. We are eager to get those stories out into the world. We believe so many great stories have to be told in this world.
And Independent spirited films can do that. Telling stories about social issues, human rights, art, and more... all these are universal theme that connects us all.

As Akira Kurosawa puts it "Cinema can bring world peace"

《ABOUT》
JWFF believe in the power of cinema that ties the world together. The Festival is purely the audience-centric and that’s where cinema belongs. Live-screening event is what we value most because this is where films and the audience connect. If you are a cinema auteur who has urge to tell stories that means something to you, then this is the place for you.

Films with deep themes and messages, bold and daring approaches by filmmakers will move the audience heart. We look for high quality and yet independent spirited films. Cinema is the art of STORYTELLING. Our mission is to enhance human life through cinema. JWFF is pure and simple, "great cinematic experience first" It doesn't matter the budget nor star names, with or without, if the narrative story is compelling and it has the deepest message that has to be told then the audience will appreciate it. This is our spirit and it has not changed since the incubation.

《OUR PAST EVENT》
The past screenings included the films with Yui Masayuki (Akira Kurosawa film), Naoto Takenaka (Shall we dance), Gérard Depardieu (Academy awards winner).We also invited the producer Mr. Bruce J. Nachbar (Party of Five) to talk about Hollywood filmmaking.
In 2022, renowned GOTA WATABE appeared as a host in Ibaraki Venue.

《OUR INSPIRATION》
We are inspired by the cinema pioneers, Akira Kurosawa, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, Stanley Kubrick, Jean-Luc Godard, and many more, the auteurs who speak their mind through visual story telling.

《IMPORTANT NOTE》
For the selected filmmakers, we do not charge any fee for media exposure. We also do not charge winning filmmakers for attaining the trophy. We also do not encourage filmmakers to enter multiple categories in our festival. We can review the films and distribute to the appropriate category if your film is selected.

《WHO WE ARE》
Our Festival was proudly founded by TOKYO CINEMA UNION, Japan's probably only Filmmakers Union, to provide opportunity for filmmakers to have broader and wider exposure to the audience. The Festival is super focused on Filmmakers Exposure and their VERY NEXT STEP. TOKYO CINEMA UNION was founded in 2012 and helped produce many films amongst the union members.

JAPAN WORLD FILM FESTIVAL

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In Japanese
【ジャパンワールド映画祭】
映画祭は東京、長野、茨城の3箇所で行います!

【趣旨】
2019年にスタートした映画祭はハイクオリティな作品と情熱的な映画制作者たちのおかげで大成功を収めました。黒澤明監督映画に出演する油井 昌由樹さんの出演映画や竹中直人さん(Shall We Danceなど)やフランスの名優ジェラールドパルデューさん(アカデミー賞)の作品など沢山の作品に恵まれました。その他、ハリウッド映画やテレビヒットシリーズ”パーティオブファイブ”のプロデューサー、ブルースナックバーさんの登壇&トークショーなど素晴らしいラインナップとなりました。

2021年は東京、茨城、長野の3箇所に拡大。この映画祭は日本の映画業界、特にインディペンデント映画を盛り上げるためにアーティストのサポート活動を行う、東京シネマユニオンによって開催されております。映画祭の趣旨も映画監督とその作品の露出を高め、本当に面白いものを観客に知ってもらうというコンセプトが背景にあります。

【テーマ】
映画祭のテーマは世界の多様性、多彩な文化を「発見 DISCOVER」する。
作品を通じて世界の多様性を感じることができるエキサイティングなイベントになればと思っています。

世界の「愛」「音楽」「食」「性」「コメディ」「アニメ」「ドラマ」を上映します。

作品は「物語を語る STORY TELLING」にフォーカスしたものを募集しています。
社会的な問題やテーマ、人間にとっての大切な普遍的な何かを探求する作品を募集しています。

黒澤明監督が生前言われておられた、映画によって世界が平和になる、ことを祈っております。

【AWARDS】
・BEST FILM
・BEST DIRECTOR
・BEST ACTOR
・BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
・BEST SCREENPLAY

【Submission Format】
 Online Screener via FilmFreeway

【Submission Eligibility】
 - Films must be under 30mins with English subtitle.
 - All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2021.
 - There is no premiere policy for all submitted films.
 - Work-in-progress are not accepted.
 - Films with distribution are accepted.
 - Film must be submitted with English subtitles if in a language other than English
 - You may submit multiple entries but must fill out a separate entry form and
  pay an entry fee for each.
 -The film you submit has cleared all licensing and rights for the screening.
 
【Entry】
 - 3-5 Line Synopsis (may be used for Festival Program and website)
- Less than 300 Word Treatment/Story
 (Synopsis and Treatment may be used for Festival Program&website)

【Submission Fee】
 All submissions for JAPAN WORLD FILM FESTIVAL are to be paid through
 FilmFreeway platform. The submission fee is non-refundable.

【Selected films】
 - If selected, your film should be sent via internet data service to us.
 - Mpeg 4 files are accepted. Codec must be H264 or Prores.
 - Maximum resolution is 1920 x 1080.

 - Please provide the posters & stills of the film as well as the trailer for publicity.
 300 dpi or higher electronic images are preferred in .jpg or .png format.

 - SELECTED Film needs to be transferred to either 24fps or 30fps (NTSC frame rate)
 - Please provide subtitles in SRT. English films also need English subtitle in SRT
 - A selected film must be received at JAPAN WORLD FILM FESTIVAL (JWFF) no later than
 14 days after the nomination announcement by us.

【Notification】
 Notification of acceptance or rejection will not include criticism or feedback specific
 to your entry.

【Liability】
 We take care of all materials submitted to our festival, however we cannot
 accept responsibility for loss, damage or additional charges incurred
 en route, or due to normal wear and tear, or due to equipment failure.
 Also Do NOT send original prints or master copies.

 JWFF is held harmless from any and all claims,
 liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any
 claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity or screening of any film.

 Screenings schedule is decided by JWFF and JWFF reserves the right to make
changes at any time for any reason. JWFF will not be liable for any costs claimed
 as a result of a change in scheduling.  

 No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.

 We will not be held liable for any failure in the technical quality of the projection,
 nor will fees be refunded in any such case.

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In Japanese
【応募】
 - フィルムフリーウェイのオンライン募集

【応募資格】
 - 2021年1月1日以降に制作された作品
 - 映画の尺は30分以内で英語字幕が必要です
 - プレミアポリシーはありません
 - 制作途中の作品は受け付けません
 - 配給が決まっている作品もOK
 - 複数の作品のエントリーも可能ですが作品ごとにエントリーください
 - 応募作品の上映に関わる権利関係を事前にクリアしてください

【応募】
 - 3~5行程度のシノプシスを提出ください
 - 300文字前後のトリートメント(あらすじ)をご提出ください

【費用】
 - 出品費用はフィルムフリーウェイよりお支払いください
 - 返金は一切受け付けておりません

【ノミネートされた場合】
 - 作品はMpeg4でお送りください
 - コーデックはH264またはProres
 - サイズは最高で 1920 x 1080
 - 映画ポスターやPR画像、予告編をご提出ください。映画祭の宣伝で使用します
 - 画像はjpgまたはpngで受け付けています
 - 映画のフレームレートは24fpsまたは30fpsに変換し納品ください
 - 英語字幕を必ずご用意ください
 - 字幕は必ずSRTファイルで納品ください。焼き付けてある場合は不要です
 - ノミネートの通知後、14日以内に作品をご提出ください

【スケジュール】
 - 上映のスケジュールは変更がギリギリまで行われる場合があることをご了承ください

【免責事項】
 いただいたデータはこちらで大切に保管いたします。
 マスターデータは決して送らないでください。
 紛失は破損の責任は一切負い兼ねます。必ずコピーをお送りください。
 その他、作品の権利関係やクレジットについて映画祭側では一切の
 責任を追うことはありません。
 上映スケジュールの変更などで発生したコストに関しても映画祭側は
 一切に責任を負いかねます。
 選ばれた作品をノミネート後、上映拒否することは原則出来ません
 上映の技術的問題が発生したとしても、映画祭側はリファンドの責任は
 一切負いかねます。

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • katia spivakova saakiants

    Thank you JAPAN WORLD FILM FESTIVAL. When I read the description of your festival, I thought it would be a great home for our film ALL I NEED, so what an honor to have been a part of it and have it premiere for the 1st time ever in Japan!!
    A particular thank you to Yusuke and his team for creating a space without borders. The Q&A session made it even more special.
    Hope to be there in person one day!

    August 2024
  • Creative Colors

    I am very glad that my film has become a part of this wonderful festival. I thank the organizers and the jury. Many thanks to Mr. Yusuke for his work. I wish you further prosperity and success!

    October 2023
  • Genevieve Sulway

    Loved this Festival. Professionally organised with the great idea of a hosting a remote Director Q&A session after the screening. The audience asked us some fantastic questions via the host. I will definitely submit to this fantastic festival again.

    October 2023
  • Justin Key

    Wonderful festival! Yusuke and the festival staff were fantastic. The city of Hitachi-Omiya is one of the most unique venues for a festival we’ve attended.

    October 2023
  • The Japan World Film Festival was a wonderful experience for me. Once our film was chosen the communication was immediate, professional, warm, and informative. The festival traveled to 3 cities, and I was fortunate enough to be present at the third, in Tokyo, at their intimate, beautiful theatre. I was able to see some of the other films in the festival and loved them. It felt good to know The Rolling Pin was in good company. I would highly recommend submitting to this festival as Yusuke Hayamizu is a passionate artist with aspirations to bring films to those who maybe don't always get to see these works of art. I hope I get to participate again. Thank you!

    December 2022
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    It was a great honor to have you and your film at our festival. We are also thankful that you came to Japan despite the difficult time. We hope to see you again in future.