Welcome to the Kobe Independent Film Festival!

This film festival is held in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture,JAPAN.

Kobe is a vibrant Japanese port city known for its beautiful harbor scenery, international atmosphere, and delicious Kobe beef.

This film festival attracts many young talents and original, unique works.

It's a film festival where everyone can participate and interact: film fans, filmmakers, actors, students, and local residents.

It's known throughout Japan for its high participant satisfaction.

Over the seven-year period from 2019 to 2025, there were 1,941 submissions and 228 films were screened.

Since 2025, submissions from overseas films have also been accepted, and many international films have been screened.

We are accepting submissions for films to be screened at the Kobe Independent Film Festival 2026.

We look forward to receiving unique and distinctive film submissions.

Grand Prize (100,000 yen prize for the grand prize)
Runner-up, Art Award, Screenplay Award, Planning Award

Submissions from outside Japan must be submitted through FilmFreeway.

※We are not accepting exemptions from the festival entry fee.

We welcome submissions of unique and original independent films.

【INTERNATIOL SHORTS】
(1) The film must be no longer than 40 minutes long, including end credits.
(2) Any genre is acceptable, (including documentaries)
(3) Applicants may be professionals or amateurs.
(4) There is no age limit.
(5) All foreign films must have English subtitles.
(6) Films must have been produced within the past three years.

Films that have been released elsewhere may also be submitted.
There is no premiere screening policy.
Multiple submissions are permitted, but each submission must pay an application fee.
All submitters retain ownership of their work.

■ How to apply
- Submissions from outside Japan must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
- Submissions from within Japan may be submitted through the festival's official website.

We are not accepting exemptions from the festival entry fee.

■ Selection
The selection process will only accept online screeners via FilmFreeway.
Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee.
You may not change or update the link you originally submitted. The programmer will review only one version of the submission.
We cannot accept inquiries regarding the selection process or results.

■Screening
Finalist works will be screened at the festival venue.
Finalists must provide high-resolution digital data (MP4 or MOV) for screening at the festival.
They must also submit promotional materials, a script for Japanese subtitles, etc.
Japanese subtitles will be produced by the festival.

Winners will be determined by the jury and announced at the festival's final ceremony.

■Copyright
Filmmakers grant Kobe Independent Film Festival the right to screen their submissions during the festival.
We reserve the right to use parts of submitted works for promotional purposes.
Submissions must not infringe any copyright, trademark, or other rights of any third party.
Submitters are solely responsible for any infringement of intellectual property or trademark rights.

■Notes
Payments will not be refunded for any reason.
Once officially selected, the film cannot be withdrawn from the festival program.
The festival is not responsible for any copyright infringement or ownership clearance issues.
Filmmakers are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to the submission terms and conditions.
The festival organizers reserve the right to change or modify these terms and conditions at any time. Modifications will be effective immediately unless otherwise stated.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tuomo Mäntynen

    It was awesome meeting people who feel as passionately about indie-filmmaking as I do, and I really felt welcome even after coming so far.

    January 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for coming to Kobe with this wonderful film. It was an honor to welcome you and the film.

  • Yunbin AN

    The Kobe Independent Film Festival was a truly inspiring and heartwarming experience. The festival team created a welcoming atmosphere where filmmakers from Japan and abroad could genuinely connect and share their work. The programming was thoughtfully curated, featuring films with distinctive voices and bold creative approaches that are rarely seen in mainstream Japanese festivals.

    The audiences were incredibly warm and attentive, offering thoughtful reactions and conversations after each screening. The festival staff—including Director Saito—were exceptionally kind, supportive, and organized, making the entire experience smooth and memorable.

    The screening environment, venue, and overall hospitality were all excellent. I left Kobe feeling energized and encouraged as a filmmaker, and I genuinely hope to return to this festival again in the future.

    December 2025
    Response from festival:

    Thank you! Thank you for coming to Kobe! I look forward to seeing you again!