札樽ゆうばり国際映画祭 (1)

Festival start: 21 March 2027      Festival end: 21 March 2027

The Sasson-Yubari International Film Festival (SASSON-YUUBARI) is
an international film festival held twice a year (Winter/Fall) in Sapporo, Otaru, and Yubari—cities in Hokkaido, one of Japan’s most captivating regions, renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, stunning seasonal scenery, and exquisite cuisine featuring fresh seafood, agricultural and livestock products, and dairy goods.

​Simply put... it is about discovering and creating films that are “innovative,” “fresh,” and “unconventional.”

The festival features Sapporo, Otaru, and Yubari—the cities in Hokkaido that attract the most tourists and serve as popular filming locations.
It is a new, hybrid film festival—neither purely urban nor purely rural.
While there is no red carpet or cash prizes, this festival showcases innovative and unconventional films where everything—from your story, acting, cinematography, music, and editing to your original vision—has the potential to be recognized.

In addition, with the Yubari Film Commission (http://yubarifc.com/)—which has successfully attracted numerous film productions to the region—serving as the organizer, we will treat the cities of Sapporo, Otaru, and Yubari as “film sets” and produce new films.

Official judges will review all submitted entries.
All works selected for the Official Selection
will be awarded a digital official certificate and a laurel wreath.
From among the Official Selection entries, the winners of each award will be announced at the awards ceremony (held at the A-Risa-da venue in Yubari City).
Award-winning entries will be presented with a digital official certificate and a laurel wreath (the official trophy is currently under consideration).
　* All awards, including the official certificate, will be presented even if the filmmaker does not attend the film festival.
　* No cash prizes will be awarded for any of these awards.
In addition to the Best International Short Film Award, Best Domestic Short Film Award, and Best Hokkaido Short Film Award, the following awards are available.
Works submitted in the above categories are automatically eligible for all of the following awards.
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
Best International Short Film Grand Prix
Best Domestic Short Film Grand Prix
Best Hokkaido Short Film Grand Prix
Best International Feature Film Grand Prix
Best Domestic Feature Film Grand Prix
Best Hokkaido Feature Film Grand Prix
Best International Project Grand Prix
Best Domestic Project Grand Prix
Best Hokkaido Project Grand Prix
Best Sapporo Project Grand Prix
Best Otaru Project Grand Prix
Best Yubari Project Grand Prix
Best Drama Award
Best Fantasy Award
Best Science Fiction Award
Best Horror Award
Best Thriller Award
Best Comedy Award
Best Suspense Award
Best Animation Award
Best AI Award
Best Vertical Videos Award
Best Experimental Film Award
Best Documentary Award
Best Musical Award
Best Music Video Award
Best Director Award
Best Actor Award
Best Actress Award
Best Screenplay Award
Best Editing Award
Best Cinematography Award
Best Idea Award
Best Fastest-to-Production Project Award (Project Competition)
Best Media Mix Project Award (Project Competition)
Best Original Score Award
Best Poster Award

The Sasson-Yubari International Film Festival is accepting submissions in three categories: Short Film Competition, Feature Film Competition, and Project Competition.
Films with a runtime of less than 30 minutes (including end credits) are classified as short films.
Films with a runtime of 30 minutes or longer are classified as feature films.
Submissions for the Project Competition must be a single A4 or Letter-sized PDF page.

Fiction, documentaries, animation, experimental films, music videos, AI, commercials,Vertical Videos … To broaden opportunities for a wide range of works, submissions are accepted in all genres.
Additionally, to keep entry fees low for applicants, submitting to a single category (Short Film, Feature Film, or Project) makes your work eligible for all awards.
There is no need to submit multiple entries across different categories!
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(Rules for Short and Feature-length Films)
・Please submit your entry digitally via FilmFreeway, Festhome, or the Japanese-only submission method (bank transfer).
　* For YouTube submissions, please provide a link to a private video.
　　 For Vimeo submissions, if you have set a password, please include it.
　　 The link must remain active throughout the festival period.
　　 This festival recommends using a private YouTube video.
・Films in languages other than Japanese must have english subtitles embedded.
・Films of any production year are eligible.
　(Many film festivals often have restrictions such as “produced in [year],” but perhaps those films were simply too innovative for their time, or perhaps those festivals simply lacked the discernment to recognize their value.
　Our festival aims to maximize every possibility to discover wonderful works.)
・Participation in this competition is open to any individual or legal entity, regardless of nationality. There are no restrictions based on age or gender.
・There are no restrictions regarding whether a film has had a premiere screening or is available online.
・We accept films of all genres and themes.
・Even if a film contains political or commercial propaganda, violence, adult content, or any form of discrimination—including racial discrimination—it will be accepted as long as such content is necessary for the film’s artistic expression.
　We do not prohibit any form of expression.
・The use of AI is permitted. However, please clearly indicate whether the AI was used for the entire work or only a portion of it.
・There is no limit to the number of entries. Please complete the online submission process and pay the entry fee for each submission.
・Films must be submitted as high-definition (HD) digital files (minimum resolution 1080p) in MP4 format (H.264, H.265) or using the ProRes codec.
　However, entries that do not meet these specifications will not be disqualified. (If there are any issues, the festival will contact you.)
・Please send all support-related inquiries to support@sasson-yuubari.com.
・Submission deadline: Sunday, February 28, 2027　　
・Filmmakers must hold full rights to their submitted works, including music and visuals.
・The festival may promote films based on the press kit provided.
・By submitting your film, you agree to grant us the right to screen your film for three years in live screenings or for two years in online screenings (streaming) starting from the announcement of the awards.
　Additionally, following prior confirmation with the applicant, your film may be screened at events such as post-festival screenings.
・The copyright of the film remains with the applicant.
・No screening fees will be charged for any screenings of the film.
・Not all films that receive awards at the awards ceremony will be screened (either in-person or via streaming).
・Official selections will be notified via email,FilmFreeway or Festhome.
　Films officially selected will be eligible for all awards.
・No individual feedback will be provided for films that are not selected.
・Films that have been officially selected cannot be withdrawn from the festival program or other festival materials.
・Entrants shall indemnify and hold the festival harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and litigation costs) arising from copyright, trademarks, credits, publicity, or the loss or damage of submitted materials.
・All technical issues regarding submitted films are the sole responsibility of the filmmakers.
・Films in languages other than Japanese without english subtitles will be automatically rejected without a refund.
・If you encounter any issues with the submission process, please contact the festival team as soon as possible. We will do our best to assist you.
・Refunds will not be issued for any reason.
・The festival will not cover any travel or accommodation expenses incurred to attend the festival.
・By submitting an entry, you agree to all terms and conditions.
　You also agree to receive emails from the festival.
　We will not sell applicants’ information to third parties.
・Please review the guidelines, Terms of Use, Disclaimer, and Rights before submitting your entry.
・The festival reserves the right to change the festival dates or venue, and to update the Terms of Use.
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
(Rules for Project)
・Please submit your entry digitally via FilmFreeway, Festhome, or the Japanese-only (bank transfer) option.
　* If using the Japanese-only (bank transfer) option, please email the PDF to entry@sasson-yuubari.com after submitting the entry form.
・We will definitely provide individual feedback—including impressions and advice—for all projects that are not selected! (Scheduled to be sent within approximately one month after the film festival ends.)
・For project proposals in languages other than Japanese, only english submissions are permitted.
・Projects may have been produced in any year.
・This competition is open to works that have not yet been adapted into a film or TV drama.
・Participation in this competition is open to anyone—individuals or organizations—regardless of nationality, age, or gender.
・We accept film proposals in all genres and on all themes.
・Even if a proposal includes political or commercial propaganda, violence, adult content, or any form of discrimination—such as racial discrimination—it will be accepted as long as it is necessary for the film’s artistic expression.
　We do not prohibit any form of expression.
・The use of AI is permitted. However, please clearly state whether the AI was used for the entire work or only a portion of it.
・There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. Please complete the online application process and pay the entry fee for each submission.
・Please submit a one-page PDF proposal for the film you wish to produce, in A4 or letter size.
・Please send all inquiries regarding support to support@sasson-yuubari.com.
・Submission deadline: Sunday, February 28, 2027　　
・If the work is based on an existing source material, submissions will only be accepted if you own the film adaptation rights. Please be sure to indicate this.
・Film project proposers must hold full rights to the submitted work.
・This film festival may use the provided press kit for promotional purposes.
・Selected projects grant this film festival the first right of refusal to produce the film based on your project for a period of three years from the date of the award announcement.
・The copyright for the project belongs to the applicant.
・Not all projects that receive awards at the awards ceremony will be produced as films.
・Official selections will be notified via email, FilmFreeway or Festhome. Officially selected projects will be eligible for all awards.
・Officially selected works cannot be withdrawn from the festival program or other festival materials.
・Entrants shall indemnify and hold the festival harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and litigation costs) arising from copyright, trademarks, credits, publicity, or the loss or damage of submitted materials.
・Submissions in languages other than Japanese or english will be automatically rejected without a refund.
・If you encounter any issues with the submission process, please contact the festival team as soon as possible. We will do our best to assist you.
・Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances.
・The festival will not cover any travel or accommodation expenses related to participation in the festival.
・By submitting an entry, you agree to all terms and conditions.
　You also agree to receive emails from the festival.
　We will not sell applicants’ information to third parties.
・Please review the guidelines, Terms of Use, Disclaimer, and Rights before submitting your entry.
・The festival reserves the right to change the festival dates or venue, and to update the Terms of Use.