Call for entries
The Ibusuki Film Festival invites a wide range of excellent films from home and abroad.
For those who want to make their own films in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, we will mobilise the equipment and know-how of the non-profit organisation Ibusuki Movie Project to
We will assist you.
We invite all film lovers to present their passion and creativity at the festival.
[Recruitment guidelines].
The Ibusuki Movie Project, a non-profit-making organisation, invites nominated films to be screened at the 8th Ibusuki Film Festival (Sunday, 5 October 2025).
The nominated films will be screened at the Ibusuki Civic Hall on 5 October and the winning film will be selected. We look forward to seeing creative and original ‘film’ and ‘video’ works.
Entry qualifications.
* Regardless of gender, age, nationality, professional or amateur (students, professionals or amateurs).
* Up to one film per director may be submitted.
* Japanese subtitles are required for foreign-language films.
How to apply
1. submission of work information
* Title of the work
* Director's name or representative's contact details
* Brief synopsis of the work
* Names of characters
* Running time of the film (length) 2.
2. fill in these details on the **Entry form (excel file)** and send it to ibusukimovie@gmail.com.
3. length of film (running time)
* Original film of 10 minutes or less
* Original works between 11 and 24 minutes
* Original works of between 25 and 29 minutes
* Any film, regardless of whether it has been released or not, independently produced, commercial or theatrical (limited to films that do not offend public order and morals).
1. screening process
* First screening: Please publish your film exclusively on YouTube, Vimeo or other video websites and send us the URL.
* Announcement of nominated films (late June - early July): The producers or representatives of the nominated films will be notified.
* Submission of footage for screening: please submit an elaborate video file of 1920x1080 or higher.
2. precautions.
* Observe copyright, portrait rights and personal data protection.
* Music copyright clearance required (original source or licensed music only).
* Must not conflict with any specific trademarked product name/title * Must not conflict with any specific trademarked product name/title * Must not conflict with any specific trademarked product name/title
* Only works that have been legally filmed and edited, such as drone shots and crowd footage, are eligible.
3. participation in the film festival
* The nominated filmmaker or representative must be able to attend the Ibusuki Film Festival on 5 October.
* Transportation and accommodation expenses must be borne by the filmmaker. (Ibusuki Onsen Ryokan Business Cooperative Association supports accommodation)
* Please attend the after-party (free invitation).
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Awards and supplementary prizes
* Grand Prix (Golden Ibusuki Award).
* Special certificate and original crystal trophy
* Prize money of 50,000 yen
* Specialty products of Ibusuki (black beef, agricultural products, traditional Japanese sweets, etc.)
* Silver Ibusuki Prize and Bronze Ibusuki Prize
* Special certificates and extra prizes.
* Jury's special prizes and prizes in each category
* Certificates and participation prizes available
Film Festival participation fee (participation fee is set according to the length of the film submitted for the use of the large screen in the Civic Hall).
Free film festival viewing pass included.
* Films of 10 minutes or less: ¥1,000
* Films between 11 and 24 minutes: 2,000 yen
* Films over 25 minutes: ¥ 3,000
* (Entry fee for films)
* (Privileges)
* Free admission to the Festival.
* ⚠Entries are limited to one film per person.
Entrants are requested to send their works with payment to
Bank transfer address (please bear the bank transfer fee).
* Kagoshima Bank Tokuhi) Ibusuki Movie Project.
* Branch No.: 210 Savings Account Account No.: 3055857
* Minami Nippon Bank Tokuhi Eirikatsudou Houjin.
* Branch No.: 210 Ordinary Deposit Account No.: 1155074
Schedule.
* Start of subscription: 27 January 2025 (Monday)
* Deadline for applications: 15 June (Sun), 2025
* Judging of entries: 16 (Mon) - 29 (Sun) June 2025
* Announcement of nominated entries: late June - early July
Handling of copyright and publicity use
* Copyright belongs to the applicant.
* The nominated films may be used in part in still photographs and images at screenings and publicity activities (TV, newspapers, magazines, SNS, etc.) organised by the Ibusuki Film Festival Executive Committee.
Message to applicants
If you are an amateur filmmaker, or if you are a professional who wants to make a short film that you genuinely want to make - we are looking forward to seeing your passion-filled work.
We would like to help introduce the high standard of attractive independent films produced and screened in various parts of Japan at the Ibusuki Film Festival and bring them to a wider audience.
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
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