33rd TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVSL
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FAQ for Festival Submissions
33rd Tokyo International Film Festival  Competition 2020 Call For Entries
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), marking our 33rd edition this year, has evolved into one of the leading festivals accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF).

While many prominent filmmakers have vied for honors in TIFF’s competitive sections over the years, we are also proud to have discovered, awarded and supported up-and-coming directors who have gone on to worldwide recognition.

This year’s TIFF will also showcase a diverse lineup of richly rewarding titles from around the globe and provide filmmakers and filmgoers with the opportunity to share the joys of cinema.

TIFF looks forward to receiving your submissions, and we hope you will join us in Tokyo from October 31 - November 9, 2020.

Tokyo International Film Festival    Tokyo International Film Festival
Chairman               Festival Director
Hiroyasu Ando            Takeo Hisamatsu


Submission for 2020 Tokyo International Film Festival has been closed.

Regulations for Competition 2020

PERIOD of TIFF
FOREWORD
: October 31st (Sat.) to November 9th (Mon.)
: The Tokyo International Film Festival (hereafter referred to as TIFF) regulations follow the Regulations
for International Film Festival provided by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations
(FIAPF).
ARTICLE 1: Eligibility
All films selected and invited for the competitive sections must meet the following conditions:
(1) Must be films completed after January 1st,2020.
(2) Should not have been screened in the at main competition section of
-competitive feature film festivals (non-specialized) accredited by FIAPF*1 prior to TIFF.
(3) Must have at least its Asian Premiere at TIFF. World and International Premieres are given priority.
Japanese films must have their World Premiere at TIFF.
* Films that are available on the Internet, TV (including IPTV) or in-flight movies, and films
commercially released on DVD, VOD or any other format are not eligible.
(4) Short films are not eligible. Must be feature films (including animation) running over 60 minutes.
(5) Documentary films are not eligible in principal.
(6) Screening material should be in digital format in high definition format, with English subtitles.
(4) These conditions may be subject to change.

*1 Please refer to FIAPF's official web site for the list of accredited Festivals:

  http://www.fiapf.org/intfilmfestivals_sites.asp

*The TIFF selection team selects and invites the films presented in the competitive sections.
Your film may be invited to the other competitive sections below.


・Asian Future Section:
“From Asia to the world and to the future!” A competitive section for Asian films, this introduces the first, second or third features of Asia’s up-and-coming directors. It showcases the latest works from the region, which is one of the world’s most vibrant film industries.
More than International premiere is required.
 
・Japanese Cinema Splash:
This is a competitive section for Japanese films that are expected to make a “splash” overseas. It features unique works full of originality and the spirit of innovation from the booming domestic film industry. Titles by up-and-coming directors of all ages who have created less than five feature films are showcased to international film festival programmers, press and buyers invited from overseas to actively assist the films in receiving overseas recognition.
World premiere is required.
ARTICLE 2: Prizes
For the main Competition section, TIFF will award the following prizes in accordance with the decision of the International Competition Jury.
-Tokyo Grand Prix

-Special Jury Prize

-Award for Best Director

-Award for Best Actress

-Award for Best Actor

-Award for Best Artistic Contribution (Photography, Sound, Art Direction, Music, Script etc.)
The cash prize is to be decided.
ARTICLE 3: Entry for Pre-Selection
(1) Entry Form
Those who are qualified according to the conditions of Article 1 hereinabove may apply (to the Competition) by filling in the entry form and submitting DVD screener or online screener.
Entry Form must be submitted through Festival's website: http://www.tiff-jp.net.

(2) Deadlines for Submissions and Entry Fee
Deadline for Submissions: July 17th, 2020
Entry Fee: No entry fee is required for this year’s edition of Tokyo International Film Festival.

(3) Preview Screeners
Online Screeners or DVDs (region free) are accepted as preview screeners for pre-selection.
(a) Online Screener : Fill in the online link through the entry form.
*Online Screener must be valid until the end of September.
(b) DVD Shipping: DVDs should be sent to the following address

Tokyo International Film Festival: Competition Section
15F Togeki Bldg., 4-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045 JAPAN
TEL: 81-3-6226-3011

Please write the following on the invoice:
-Entry number *The number will be provided in the “Notice for Submission” mail after the registration.
-Film title
-Customs declaration "NO COMMERCIAL VALUE, FOR CULTURAL PURPOSE ONLY"


DVDs must be shipped prepaid, insured and packed in proper containers and received by TIFF
no later than July 17th, 2020. The materials submitted to the Festival will not be returned.
*Please note in advance, that in case your film includes images which are in contravention to the Japanese law,
the DVD may not be accepted by the Japanese customs, in which case, the DVD will be returned to the sender.

(4) Selection Result
The result of Pre-Selection will be notified via e-mail by mid-September 2020.

(5) Submission Agreement
Person responsible for the submission must agree with the below:
(a) Cannot withdraw their entry once they have signed the Agreement Form for the official selection.
(b) Shall give careful attention to a third party (ex. Japanese distributor) who might interfere with this agreement.
ARTICLE 4: Selected Films
(1) Required Materials
Participants whose films have been selected are required to send the following materials to TIFF.
(a) Entry Sheet (provided by TIFF, for all necessary information regarding the selected film)
- TO BE FILLED-OUT AND RETURNED TO TIFF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE upon acceptance of the Invitation.
(b) Dialogue lists in original-language and English Subtitle List for Japanese subtitles
(c) Digital Photo Data (*350dpi, jpg format): main photo of the film, sub cuts of the film, and the director photo
(d) A file(or a DVD) of the final version of the film with English subtitles*for Japanese subtitling, online library and internal use.
(e) Trailer and Excerpts of the film in mov file (Quicktime)
(f) English Press Kit for Japan Content Showcase (TIFFCOM market).
(g) 5 printed posters and poster in data file (high resolution, B1 size)

Materials a-d listed above must reach the address on ARTICLE 3), by the designated deadlines.
The shipping fees for the above materials must be borne by participants.

(2) Screening Materials and Subtitles
English subtitled DCP (KDM Free / 24 fps) should reach the address on ARTICLE 3), by the designated deadline.*
* For all English dialogue film, subtitles are unnecessary.
* Please book the DCP for us from the date of arrival to the end of the festival, Nov 9th. for Japanese subtitling,
technical tests and festival screenings.
 
All films will be screened in the original-language version with both English and Japanese subtitles,
except for films in English version, which will be shown with Japanese subtitles only.

(3) Guest Invitation
TIFF will invite the director(s) and the lead actor/actress of selected film.
ARTICLE 5: Understanding & Acceptance
Participants are deemed to have fully understood and accepted all the regulations and entry form. Matters not covered by the regulations and entry form and any questions arising thereof will be resolved by the TIFF Organizing Committee in accordance with the regulations of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.
All inquiries to:
FAQ for Festival Submissions
* Films shorter than 60 min are not eligible.
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