AI Animation
The “AI Animation” category aims to explore the limitless potential of AI in animation production and to promote innovation within the animation industry.
Only works created using AI technology in the production process are eligible. There is no upper limit on running time, provided the work is at least 2 minutes long.
*Works submitted to this category may also be submitted to other categories. In such cases, the work must comply with the entry regulations of each category entered.
Application Period:
Monday, Feb 2, 2026 10:00
– Sunday, Mar 8, 2026 23:59
AI Animation — Entry Regulations
Article 1 ＜Eligibility＞
Works submitted to the competition must meet the following requirements.
(1) Animated works completed in or after May 2024 with a running time of 2 minutes or longer.
(2) Works must be animated productions created using AI technology.
*Submitted works must primarily utilize generative AI. When applying, applicants must provide a brief explanation of the AI technologies used and their creative application in the designated field of the Entry Form.
(3) In principle, works that have not been commercially released through theatrical screenings, TV broadcasts (including terrestrial, satellite, and cable), paid internet distribution (including IPTV), in-flight screenings, DVD, VOD, or other commercial platforms are preferred.
*Works that are World Premiere, International Premiere, or Japan Premiere will be given priority consideration.
(4) If selected as a nominated work, the entrant must be able to provide the materials listed in Article 4.
(5) Ethical standards
(a) For feature and short animations (works of 5 minutes or longer), the work must comply with the Eirin “Motion Picture Code of Ethics.”
(b) For short-short animations (works of 2 minutes or longer and less than 5 minutes), the work must comply with the Japan-China International Animation Film Festival’s Purpose and Ethical Guidelines.
(6) Works submitted to multiple categories must comply with the entry regulations established for each respective category.
Article 2 ＜Awards＞
In the competition categories, the festival will confer the following awards based on the decision of the international jury.
“Grand Prix,” “Runner-up Grand Prix”
*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 10:00.
■ Feature and Short Animation (works of 5 minutes or longer)
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements in Article 1 must complete the required fields in the Entry Form and submit the link to an online screener in the designated field.
【Online Screener Requirements】
・Works in languages other than Japanese must include Japanese subtitles (simple subtitles acceptable).
・Screeners that require downloading are generally not accepted.
・Do not set a password. (If absolutely necessary, notify the Secretariat by email separately.)
The screener should preferably remain accessible until the end of April 2026.
■ Short-Short Animation (works of 2 minutes or longer and less than 5 minutes)
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements in Article 1 must complete the required fields in the Entry Form and submit a download link for the video file (file uploader, etc.) in the designated field.
【Video File Requirements】
・File format: MP4 or MOV
・Video codec: H.264 (recommended)
・Audio codec: AAC (recommended)
・Resolution: 1920×1080 (16:9) recommended; 3840×2160 (16:9) maximum
・Frame rate: 23.98 / 24 / 25 / 30 fps recommended
・File size: up to 2GB
・Works in languages other than Japanese must include Japanese subtitles (simple subtitles acceptable).
・Do not set a password. (If absolutely necessary, notify the Secretariat by email separately.)
(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 by mid-April 2026.
(4) Acknowledgement
Entrants shall be deemed to have fully understood and accepted all regulations (including “Handling of Entry Information”) and the contents of the Entry Form. Any matters not stipulated in these regulations or the Entry Form, as well as any questions, shall be determined by the festival Secretariat.
Article 4 ＜Nominated Works＞
■ Feature and Short Animation (works of 5 minutes or longer)
Submitted works will undergo a first-round selection, from which nominated works will be chosen.
(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 image(s), several stills, and a director photo (jpg)
(d) Two Blu-ray discs of the main feature, or video data (MP4 or MOV)
*English or Chinese subtitles are recommended.
(e) Trailer video data (MP4 or MOV) without text, and its Japanese subtitle script
(f) Work information in Japanese and English
(g) Poster data (high resolution, B1 size, jpg)
*Submission details will be provided together with the result notification.
(2) Screening materials and subtitles
Submission of a DCP (KDM-free / 24fps) as screening material is optional. If submitted, the DCP must include English subtitles.
Details will be confirmed with the Secretariat after selection.
(3) Screening of nominated works
Nominated works will be screened at T·Joy Emi Terrace Tokorozawa during the festival period, after individual notification to the applicants.
■ Short-Short Animation (works of 2 minutes or longer and less than 5 minutes)
During the first-round selection to determine nominees, submitted works will be made public for a certain period (approximately one month) on the official Japan-China International Animation Film Festival website and official social media channels (YouTube, etc.), and will be subject to audience voting. Nominated works will be selected with reference to the voting results during the public release period.
*However, works judged by the Secretariat to violate the Japan-China International Animation Film Festival’s “Purpose and Ethical Guidelines” will be excluded from public release and voting.
(1) Nominated works must submit the following materials by Friday, Apr 24, 2026.
(a) Key visual image(s), several stills, and a director photo (jpg)
(b) “Work Information” in Japanese and English (festival-designated format)
*Submission details will be provided together with the result notification.
Article 5 ＜Agreements upon Screening Decision＞
For feature and short animation works (5 minutes or longer), entrants are deemed to agree to the following.
(1) Once the screening decision has been notified, withdrawal of the work is not permitted.
(2) After agreeing to submission, entrants must ensure that no newly involved third party (e.g., a Japanese distributor) revokes the agreement to screen the work at the festival.
Article 6 ＜Copyright＞
The Japan-China International Animation Film Festival respects the rights holders of works in accordance with international standards.
All submitted works must be original works; the applicant must hold the copyright and have the right to use the work.
Submitted works must not infringe any third-party rights, including copyright.
Purpose and Ethical Guidelines
The Japan-China International Animation Film Festival (the “Festival”) is held with the following purposes:
1) Promoting cultural exchange between Japan and China
2) Developing talent involved in animation production and advancing the industry
3) Strengthening the international outreach of animation culture
In order for the Festival to be widely accepted by the international community and to contribute to cultural development, submitted works are required to align with the above purposes and to comply with the ethical guidelines below.
Ethical Guidelines
1. Freedom of expression shall be respected to the greatest extent, but must not violate the human rights of others.
2. Works must not promote discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, origin, or similar attributes.
3. Works must not harm the honor or privacy of individuals or organizations.
4. Unless serious human rights violations would occur, the sovereignty of all countries shall be respected, and the handling of heads of state, national anthems, and national flags must be undertaken with care.
5. Unless serious human rights violations would occur, all religions and freedom of belief shall be respected, and due consideration must be given to the handling of religious symbols.
6. Unless serious human rights violations would occur, all cultures, customs, and practices must be respected.
7. Excessive sexual expression, especially sexual expression involving minors, must be avoided.
8. Expressions that justify or glorify crime, illegal drugs, or excessive violence must be avoided.
Japan-China International Animation Film Festival Secretariat
Established on December 1, 2025
*These guidelines may be revised without prior notice.
Handling of Entry Information
The Japan-China International Animation Film Festival Secretariat (the “Secretariat”) will handle personal information and entry details obtained in connection with competition entries appropriately in accordance with the policy below.
1. Information Collected
The Secretariat collects the following information through the Entry Form:
・Name, organization name (if applicable), phone number, email address
・Information related to the work and entry content
・Other information necessary for receiving entries and conducting selection
2. Purpose of Use
Collected information will be used for the following purposes:
・Accepting entries and conducting selection
・Confirming entry details and responding to inquiries
・Notifying selection results and contacting entrants
・Administrative processing necessary for festival operations
・Performing related tasks, or other purposes with prior consent
・Creating and utilizing statistical data 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 necessary to provide services, to contractors within the necessary scope
*In such cases, the Secretariat will require appropriate management by contractors.
4. Security Management
The Secretariat will take appropriate security measures to prevent leakage, loss, or tampering of personal information.
5. Disclosure, Correction, Suspension of Use, and Deletion
Entrants may request disclosure, correction, suspension of use, or deletion of their personal information held by the Secretariat.
If you wish to do so, 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.