Short Animation
In the “Short Animation” category, nominated works will be selected through the first-round selection.
For nominated works, we will contact applicants individually and, in principle, screen them only during the festival period at “T·Joy Emi Terrace Tokorozawa.”
A final selection will then determine the award-winning works, including the “Grand Prix.”
Application Period:
Monday, Feb 2, 2026 10:00
– Sunday, Mar 8, 2026 23:59
Short Animation — Entry Regulations
Article 1 ＜Eligibility＞
Works submitted to the competition must meet the following conditions:
(1) Animated works completed in or after May 2024 with a running time of 5 minutes or longer and less than 30 minutes.
(2) In principle, works that have not been commercially released via theatrical screenings, TV broadcasts (including terrestrial/satellite/cable), paid online distribution (including IPTV), in-flight screenings, DVD, VOD, or other commercial formats are preferred.
*Works that are World Premiere, International Premiere, or Japan Premiere will be given priority consideration.
(3) If selected as a nominated work, the entrant must be able to provide the materials listed in Article 4.
(4) The work must comply with the Motion Picture Code of Ethics of Eirin (Film Classification and Rating Organization of Japan).
Article 2 ＜Awards＞
The Japan-China International Animation Film Festival will confer the following awards in the competition category based on the decision of the international jury for this competition:
“Grand Prix” “Special Jury Prize”
*Prize money for each award will be announced at a later date.
Article 3 ＜How to Apply＞
(1) Application
Please apply via the Entry Form on the official Japan-China International Animation Film Festival website.
*The Entry Form will be available from Monday, Feb 2, 2026 at 10:00.
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements in Article 1 must fill in the required information on the Entry Form and submit it with a link to an online screener in the designated field.
【About the Online Screener】
・Works in languages other than Japanese must include Japanese subtitles (simple subtitles are acceptable).
・In principle, screeners that require downloading are not accepted.
・Do not set a password. (If absolutely necessary, notify the Secretariat by email separately.)
We recommend that the screener remain available until the end of April 2026.
(2) Application Period
Monday, Feb 2, 2026 10:00 – Sunday, Mar 8, 2026 23:59
(3) Notification
Results of the first-round selection (nomination) will be notified to all applicants by email in early April 2026.
(4) Notes
Entrants are deemed to have fully understood and agreed to all regulations (including “Handling of Entry Information”) as well as the contents of the Entry Form. Any matters not stipulated in these regulations or the Entry Form, or any questions arising therefrom, shall be determined by the Festival Secretariat.
Article 4 ＜Nominated Works＞
Nominated works will be selected through the first-round selection.
(1) Nominated works must submit the following materials by Friday, Apr 24, 2026:
(a) Work information and Screening Agreement (festival-designated format)
(b) Japanese dialogue script or subtitle script
(c) Key visual, several still images, and a director photo (jpg)
(d) Main feature: “Two Blu-ray discs” or “video data (MP4 or MOV)”
*Versions with English subtitles or Chinese subtitles are also recommended.
(e) Video data (MP4 or MOV) without trailers/excerpts and its Japanese subtitle script
(f) Work information in Japanese and English
(g) Poster data (high resolution, B1 size, jpg)
*The shipping address for the above materials will be provided together with the notification of results.
(2) Screening Materials and Subtitles
Submission of a DCP (KDM-free / 24fps) as a screening material is optional.
However, if you submit a DCP, it must include English subtitles.
Details will be confirmed with the Festival Secretariat after selection.
(3) Screening of Nominated Works
We will contact applicants individually regarding nominated works, and in principle, they will be screened only during the festival period at T·Joy Emi Terrace Tokorozawa.
Article 5 ＜Agreements After Screening Is Confirmed＞
Entrants are deemed to have agreed to the following:
(1) Once the screening confirmation has been issued, the screening cannot be canceled.
(2) If a new third party (e.g., a Japanese distributor) becomes involved after the work is confirmed for screening, the entrant must ensure that such involvement does not overturn the agreement to participate in the festival.
Article 6 ＜Copyright＞
The Japan-China International Animation Film Festival respects the rights of rights-holders in accordance with international standards.
Submitted works must be original works, and the entrant must hold the copyright and have the rights necessary to use the work.
Submitted works must not infringe any third-party rights, including copyright.
Handling of Entry Information
The Japan-China International Animation Film Festival Secretariat (hereinafter, the “Secretariat”) will handle personal information and entry content obtained in connection with competition entries appropriately in accordance with the following policy.
1. Information Collected
The Secretariat collects the following information via the Entry Form:
・Name, organization name (if applicable), phone number, and email address
・Information related to the submitted work and entry content
・Other information necessary for accepting entries and conducting the selection
2. Purpose of Use
Collected information will be used for the following purposes:
・Accepting competition entries and conducting the selection
・Confirming entry details and responding to inquiries
・Notifying selection results and making necessary contact
・Administrative processing required for festival operations
・Operations incidental to the above, or other purposes with prior consent
・Creating and utilizing statistical data in a form that cannot identify individuals
3. Provision to Third Parties
The Secretariat will not provide personal information to third parties except in the following cases:
・With the individual’s consent
・When disclosure is required by laws or regulations
・When providing information to contractors within the necessary scope to provide services
*In such cases, the Secretariat will require appropriate management by the contractor.
4. Security Control
The Secretariat will take appropriate security measures to prevent leakage, loss, alteration, etc. of personal information.
5. Disclosure, Correction, Suspension of Use, and Deletion
Applicants may request disclosure, correction, suspension of use, or deletion of their personal information held by the Secretariat.
If you wish to make such a request, please contact us via the contact information below.
Contact
Japan-China International Animation Film Festival Secretariat
For inquiries, please contact us via the “Contact Form.”
*The Entry Form will be available from Monday, Feb 2, 2026 at 10:00.