Japanese

Entry: Regulations

  1. Period:
    YIDFF 2015 will be held in Yamagata, Japan, from October 8 to October 15, 2015.

  2. Programs:
    YIDFF 2015 is accepting entries for the International Competition and New Asian Currents. Entrants can submit a work to one program only.

  3. Entry Submission:

    1. Entry Fee: Free
    2. Pre-selection: Entrants are required to submit the following material:
      1. 2 DVDs (NTSC or PAL / region free only)
        • Please do not use any labeling sticker on your DVD. Simply write the following information directly on the face of the disc.
          • film’s title
          • entry number (if you are making an online submission)
        • AVCHD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD discs, and online screeners cannot be submitted.
      2. Completed entry form

      Entrants are also required to submit the materials listed below, if available. Online submissions are also possible.
      1. Press kit (English or Japanese)
      2. No more than five different stills from the film

      Entrants will be required to submit the complete text of the dialogue and narration (please include a Japanese or English translation if your film is in a different language) if their work is selected (please do not include these materials with your entry.)

    3. Shipping expenses and liability for loss:
      The entrant is responsible for the cost of shipping DVDs as part of their entry, as well as all insurance and any other expenses incurred. YIDFF takes no responsibility in case of accidental damage or loss, except in cases where the entries are in the possession of the Festival Office.
    4. Return of DVDs:
      DVDs submitted to YIDFF 2015 will not be returned to entrants. They will be retained by the YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library for research and educational screening purposes.
    5. Mailing address for entries:

      Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
      #201, 9-52 Kinomi-cho, Yamagata City 990-0044 JAPAN
      phone: 81-23-666-4480

    6. Entry Conditions
      The entrant is responsible for all necessary copyright clearances for material used in their submitted works. The YIDFF will not be held responsible for damage resulting from copyright infringement lawsuits from other parties, which are entirely the responsibility of the entrant.

  4. Selected Program:
    With regard to submitted works, the Festival organizers will determine the program to be screened.

  5. Internet:
    The data on your entry form that you consent to releasing will be published on the YIDFF website.

  6. Validity:
    Submission of an application for participation in the Festival implies full acceptance of these regulations. Should any matter come into dispute, only the Japanese version of these regulations will be regarded as valid and any such dispute must be settled under Japanese law.


  7. International Competition

    1. Outline: Open competition
    2. Eligibility:
      Everyone is welcome to submit their work, provided that the following conditions are met:
      1. Producers intend that the work is a documentary.
      2. The final form of the work is 16mm or 35mm print or video.
      3. The work has not been released publicly in Japan (screenings in theaters or TV broadcast) prior to being presented at YIDFF 2015. Japanese films are exempt from this rule.
      4. The work is produced after April 1, 2013.
      5. Shorts will not be accepted.
    3. Call for entries begins on September 1, 2014.
    4. Entry deadlines:
      • First deadline: postmarked by December 15, 2014 (for works completed before October 31, 2014)
      • Second deadline: postmarked by April 15, 2015 (for works completed after November 1, 2014)
    5. Selection:
      1. Selection process: Approximately 15 works will be selected based on agreement by the Festival Office and selection committee.
      2. Notification: Entrants will be officially notified shortly after the selection.
    6. About screenings:
      1. Works to be screened:
        1. Prints: Films officially screened at the Festival will be original new prints complete with sound track.
          Video: The Festival organizers will convert selected video works to other formats, at their discretion.
        2. The Festival organizers will add English and Japanese subtitles for works screened, as deemed necessary.
        3. The costs for striking a new print or video master for screening, making a Japanese-language version of the work, and shipping will be covered by the YIDFF.
      2. Deadline for prints or videos of selected works:
        Prints or video masters of selected works are to reach the address designated by the YIDFF by July 15, 2015.
      3. Invitations:
        One director for each selected film will be invited to the Festival, with the expenses covered by the YIDFF.
      4. Publicity:
        1. Entrants whose work is selected authorize broadcast of segments for Festival promotion on television in Japan and abroad (3 minutes or less), the internet (30 seconds or less), and other media.
        2. They also authorize the use of still photographs in the Official Catalog, YIDFF website, and other publicity materials.
      5. Prints/videos after the Festival:
        Print and video masters will be preserved and used for research and educational screenings at the YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library. However, a new contract will be created for any public screenings subsequent to the Festival.
      6. Jury:
        The International Competition jury will determine the winning films, and will be composed of individuals selected by the Festival.
      7. Prizes:
        The jury will award the following prizes with remuneration to the directors:
        • The Robert and Frances Flaherty Prize (The Grand Prize): 2,000,000 yen
        • The Mayor’s Prize: 1,000,000 yen
        • Two Awards of Excellence: 300,000 yen each
        • Special Prize: 300,000 yen


  8. New Asian Currents

    1. Outline:
      New Asian Currents introduces and supports the works of up-and-coming Asian documentary filmmakers without restrictions on format or length. The most promising work will be awarded the Ogawa Shinsuke Prize. The award is named in honor of the late film director Ogawa Shinsuke who was instrumental in the creation of the YIDFF and devoted much of his energy to facilitating exchanges among Asian documentarists.
    2. Eligibility:
      1. Works by artists from or living in Asia.
      2. There are no restrictions on format (film or video), length of work, or style.
    3. Application period:
      From September 1, 2014 to May 15, 2015 (postmarked)
    4. Selection:
      1. Selection process: Works will be selected by the Festival Office.
      2. Notification: Entrants will be officially notified shortly after the end of the selection process.
    5. About screenings:
      1. Works screened at the Festival:
        1. Festival organizers will return prints or video masters screened in the New Asian Currents after the Festival ends.
        2. Festival organizers will, at their discretion, convert selected video works to other formats.
        3. Festival organizers will add Japanese and English subtitles to works for screening, as deemed necessary.
        4. Costs incurred in making a Japanese-language version of the work and shipping selected works to and from the Festival will be covered by the YIDFF.
      2. Invitation:
        Festival organizers will extend invitations to attend the YIDFF to as many of the directors of works selected for New Asian Currents as possible.
      3. Publicity:
        1. Entrants whose work is selected authorize broadcast of segments of their work for Festival promotion on television in Japan and abroad (3 minutes or less), the internet (30 seconds or less), and other media.
        2. They must also authorize the use of stills from their work in the Official Catalog, the YIDFF website, and other publicity materials.
      4. Jury:
        The New Asian Currents jury will be comprised of individuals selected by the Festival.
      5. Prizes:
        The jury will award the following prizes with remuneration to the directors:
        • Ogawa Shinsuke Prize: 500,000 yen
        • Two Awards of Excellence: 300,000 yen each