Regulations for Competition 2026
The following rules apply to all films, except for works that are officially invited by the festival itself. Therefore, these rules may be waived when necessary, at the discretion of the festival’s selection committee.
Works that our committee determines can bring a new meaning to our festival or have something fresh and innovative to say in terms of aesthetic and form — regardless of the year they were produced, or whether they have been previously screened or shown on any platform — will be accepted into the festival. This is only possible if they have received an email from us expressing the festival’s interest and enthusiasm.
Article 1: Eligibility
Section 1: Entry Requirements & Criteria
To qualify for the official Competition, all short film entries must strictly adhere to the following guidelines:
(1) Production Date: Only works completed on or after May 1st, 2025, will be taken into consideration (Unless explicitly confirmed and exempted by our team, permitting your film to have been produced prior to this date).
(2) Premiere Requirements: Submitted projects must, at minimum, mark their Japanese Premiere at TISFF. Preference is given to World and International Premieres. Short films of Japanese origin must debut as a World Premiere at our festival.
(3) Prior Distribution: Films are disqualified if they have been previously broadcast on television (including YouTube), streamed online, shown on in-flight entertainment systems, or distributed commercially via VOD/DVD.
(4) Duration: Submissions must qualify as short films, with a maximum runtime of 40 minutes, including credits. Features will be accepted only in one catgeory.
(5) Format & Language: Exhibition copies must be delivered in high-definition digital formats and must include English subtitles.
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* Please note that these entry criteria are subject to modification.
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* The festival reserves the right to consider and invite competition entries to other non-competitive categories within TISFF.
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* As a general rule, some projects submitted to previous editions of the festival will be evaluated for the in-person screening.
Section 2: Festival Accolades
Based on the final evaluations of our International Competition Jury, TISFF will present the following awards:
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Grand Prix (Best Short Film)
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Outstanding Film Director
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Best Animated Short Film
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Best Documentary Short Film
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Best Experimental Short Film
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Best Student Short Film
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Best First Time Filmmaker
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Best Script
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Best Music Video
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Best T.V Series
*Details regarding monetary rewards will be disclosed at a later date.
Section 3: Application Process & Evaluation
(1) How to Apply
All applications must be processed through the TISFF registration portal. Filmmakers meeting the criteria outlined in Section 1 should provide their online screening link directly via the application form.
(2) Deadlines & Registration Fees
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Early Submission Window: August 21, 2026
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Standard Submission Window: August 28, 2026
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* Entry fees are payable via credit card, paypal, and applepay.
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* All submission fees are strictly non-refundable upon payment.
(3) Preview Copy Specifications
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Secure screening links must be embedded in the application form.
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Subtitles in English are mandatory for all non-English and non-Japanese dialogue films.
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Links must remain active and accessible until late September 14, 2026.
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We do not accept links that require registration, software downloads, or uncommon access steps.
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Revised or updated cuts of the film cannot be swapped after the initial submission.
(4) Status Notification
Applicants will receive official email notifications regarding selection outcomes by early September 2026.
(5) Terms of Submission
By submitting, entrants acknowledge full acceptance of these terms.
Section 4: Regulations for Selected Works
(1) Materials Checklist
Once a film is officially selected, the participants must supply TISFF with the following assets:
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Original script/dialogue list alongside a synchronized English subtitle script (excepting Japanese-language films).
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High-res promotional imagery: key film still, secondary stills, and a director’s headshot.
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The finalized screening file of the film containing English subtitles.
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Official trailer and selected promotional excerpts (provided as .mov files).
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Press kit in English.
(2) Print Traffic & Subtitling
Your film's DCP file must be sent to our address only if specifically requested by our team. Otherwise, a high-quality file of the work with English subtitles must be submitted. Please note, in particular, that the file must be downloadable and remain accessible until the final day of the festival. Any issues or inconsistencies regarding the English subtitles are the sole responsibility of the filmmakers; TISFF assumes no liability for adjusting or syncing subtitles.
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* Subtitles are waived for projects entirely in English. All selected works will be projected with dual English and Japanese subtitles; English-language films will feature Japanese subtitles only.
Section 5: Legal Consent & Compliance
The designated submitter/rights-holder must agree to the following conditions:
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Following the signing of the official selection agreement, the entry cannot be retracted from the festival program.
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The submitter guarantees that no third-party entities (such as local Japanese distributors) will breach or conflict with this contractual agreement.
Contact Information: