Ah, Tokyo! Have you ever created—or dreamt of creating—a short film that captures the essence of this stunning Japanese city? If that resonates with you, the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (an Academy Award qualifying festival held each June in Tokyo) presents an exciting opportunity through the Cinematic Tokyo Competition.
The festival is currently seeking short films that embrace “Tokyo” as their central theme. This means your film can showcase the diverse characters and attractions that the city has to offer.
Selected films will be streamed online during the festival period, and the winner of the short film competition will receive a prize of 1,000,000 JPY.
While the theme of “Tokyo” does not require that the films be set in the city, participants should find a way to represent Tokyo’s spirit. This could include memories, impressions, or even shops located abroad that convey elements of Tokyo’s charm.
Cinematic Tokyo Competition 2024 Best Short AwardGovernor of Tokyo Award “Tokyo I Love Yous” by Kaita Tawara
Kaita Tawara, the winner of the Cinematic Tokyo Competition 2024, shared, “This award marks a significant turning point in my filmmaking journey.”
He characterized his short film “Tokyo I Love Yous” as follows:
“Set between the real and imagined Tokyo, a central theme of this film explores the intersection of time between the stars’ light and the lives of two individuals in the future. The ‘light’ from stage lighting, streetlights on highways, and overhead shots of Tokyo symbolize the stars. This ‘light’ embodies the connection between the past, present, and future for the two characters.”
Curious about participating? Read on for more details, and check out a short film produced for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government × SHORTSHORTS PROJECT titled “Light of Intricate Patterns,” directed by Shoji Yasui.
“Light of Intricate Patterns”
Festival Entry Guidelines
Submission Period
August 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Submission Fee
Free
Eligibility Criteria
1. Theme: “Tokyo”
Your film should include Tokyo in some way. It’s not necessary to visually represent actual Tokyo or shoot the film there; your interpretation can be imaginative or fictional.
Examples: Films shot in or around Tokyo, films depicting Tokyo as imagined 100 years into the future, or films inspired by the city’s essence.
2. Japan Premiere: Not required
3. Genre: Open to all genres.
4. Running Time: 25 minutes or less, including end credits.
5. Production Year: No specific year required
6. Production Country: All eligible
7. Language: English subtitles are mandatory for films in languages other than English or Japanese.
8. Formats: MOV file.
Award
Best Short Award: 1,000,000 Japanese Yen
*Awards may change.
Useful Info
(1) For inquiries about shooting in Tokyo, please contact the Tokyo Location Box (http://www.locationbox.metro.tokyo.jp/english/).
(2) Materials available on the Tokyo Stock Footage website can be used for this competition free of charge.
http://tokyo-footage.com/
Note 1: Exceptions include Zojoji Temple, Sensoji Temple, and Roppongi Hills.
Note 2: Include “Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau” in credits.
Notification
Results will be announced by the end of April 2025 on the official festival website.
Applicants can check the status of their submissions via the application status screen in LIFE LOG BOX, with account details sent to the email used for submission.
Festival Tour
Following SSFF & ASIA 2025 in Tokyo, a national and international tour will occur, screening selected films. Not all selected films will be shown at every location, and filmmakers will be notified about screening specifics.
<< PLEASE NOTE >>
- Works in progress will NOT be accepted.
- If selected, filmmakers must provide an Apple ProRes file for screening.
- By submitting a film, the submitter grants the festival the right to screen it in any competition or program at SSFF & ASIA 2025 without screening fees.
- Selected films will also be streamed online as part of the festival’s virtual offerings.
- Festival details regarding venues, dates, and awards may change.
- Ensure permissions for any third-party copyrighted material used in your film, including music, portraits, etc. If selected, music cue sheets for all music used must be submitted.
- The festival’s parent company retains commercial rights for award-winning films.
Note: Film and creator information will be filed in LIFE LOG BOX for management purposes. Only the applicant and festival staff will access this data. If you want to set it to private after posting, adjust your LIFE LOG BOX settings.
If you submitted a previous entry to the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, an account has already been created for you using the email you provided during that entry.
For any questions, please reach out via the link below.
https://lifelogbox.com/contact/
Submit your films by January 31, 2025 here.
