Japanese

Entry: Regulations

  1. Period:
    YIDFF 2021 will be held in Yamagata, Japan, from October 7 to October 14, 2021.

  2. Programs:
    YIDFF 2021 is accepting entries for the International Competition and New Asian Currents. Entrants must choose one program for each entry.

  3. Entry Submission:

    1. Entry fee: Free
    2. Entry Registration:
      1. Entrants are required to submit the completed online entry form on the festival website.
      2. Submission of Films for Selection:

        Films must be uploaded to a designated server or submitted on DVD during the entry submission period. We do not accept internet links (YouTube, Vimeo etc.), delivery by online file storage service nor USB flash drive.
        • For uploading, we strongly recommend the following compression settings:
          Container: MP4 (H.264)
          Max File Size: 3 GB
          Max Bit Rate: 4 Mbps
          Constant Frame Rate (CFR)
          (Variable Frame Rate (VFR) is NOT acceptable.)

        Submissions may also be made by sending two DVD copies of the film (region 0 / DVD-Video format). Blu-ray disk is NOT acceptable.
        • For the DVDs, 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

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

          * For entrants who send DVDs from abroad, we advise you to declare the following on the envelope: “No commercial value. For cultural purposes only.”


      1. Entrants may also submit the materials listed below online, if available.
        • Press kit (English or Japanese)
        • Film stills (up to 3 different images)

    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 Materials for Selection:
      DVDs and uploaded films submitted to YIDFF 2021 will not be returned to entrants nor destroyed. They will be retained by the YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library solely for research and educational purposes.
    5. 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 which program is best suited, if accepted.

  5. Web Database:
    All information in the entry form except personal data will be published on the YIDFF website with your consent. This does not include film itself.

  6. Validity:
    Submission of an entry 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 film print, or video/digital format (DCP, Blu-ray, video files etc).
      3. The work has not been released publicly in Japan (screenings in theaters or TV broadcast) prior to being presented at YIDFF 2021. Japanese films are exempt from this rule.
      4. The work is completed after April 1, 2019.
      5. Shorts will not be accepted.
    3. Application period: From November 1, 2020 to April 15, 2021.
    4. Selection:
      1. Selection process: Approximately 15 works will be selected by the Festival Office and selection committee.
      2. Notification: Entrants will be officially notified shortly after the selection.
    5. About screenings:
      1. Works to be screened:
        1. Screening copy: The Festival organizers may convert selected works to different screening formats at their discretion, with respect to the original.
        2. The Festival organizers will produce English or Japanese subtitles for works screened, as deemed necessary.
        3. Costs incurred in making a Japanese- or English-language version of the work and shipping screening copies to and from the Festival will be covered by the YIDFF.
      2. Required items for selected works:
        Screening copies of the selected works must reach the address designated by the YIDFF by July 15, 2021. (English subtitles are required for non-English and non-Japanese language films.) Complete dialogue list in original language with an English or Japanese translation also required if the original is in any other language.
      3. Invitations:
        One director for each selected film will be invited to the Festival, with the expenses covered by the YIDFF.
        * The terms are subject to change due to the COVID-19.
      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. Screening copies after the Festival:
        Screening copies with Japanese or English subtitles will be preserved and used for research and educational purposes at the YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library. All subsequent public screenings using this screening copy will require an agreement between the rights owner and YIDFF.
      6. Jury:
        An International Competition jury will be assigned, 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 Jury 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/digital), length of work, or style.
    3. Application period:
      From November 1, 2020 to May 15, 2021.
    4. Selection:
      1. Selection process: Works will be selected by the Festival Office and selection committee.
      2. Notification: Entrants will be officially notified shortly after the end of the selection process.
    5. About screenings:
      1. Works to be screened:
        1. Screening copy: The Festival organizers may convert selected works to different screening formats at their discretion, with respect to the original.
        2. Festival organizers will produce Japanese or English subtitles for the screening copy, as deemed necessary.
        3. Costs incurred in making a Japanese- or English-language version of the work and shipping screening copies to and from the Festival will be covered by the YIDFF.
      2. Invitation:
        One director for each selected film will be invited to the Festival, with the expenses covered by the YIDFF.
        * The terms are subject to change due to the COVID-19
      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 also authorize the use of stills from their work in the Official Catalog, the YIDFF website, and other publicity materials.
      4. Screening copies after the Festival:
        Screening copies with Japanese or English subtitles will be preserved and used for research and educational purposes at the YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library. All subsequent public screenings using this screening copy will require an agreement between the rights owner and YIDFF.
      5. Jury:
        New Asian Currents jury will be assigned, composed of individuals selected by the Festival.
      6. 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