- COMMON RULES for ALL the competitions -
1. Duration: 25 minutes or under. No exceptions. Running time includes end credits.
2. Language: English subtitles are required for submissions with languages other than English or Japanese.
3. Online submission ONLY. We do not accept DVD/BD screener.
【Official Competition supported by Sony / International, Asia International and Japan Competition】
1. Japanese Premieres Only (International & Asia International Competition only):
Your film MUST keep the Japan premiere status from August 1, 2020 until Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2021 in Tokyo ends. The following cases will affect the Japan premiere status and will be disqualified.
- Films screened in Japan on any media and for any occasion including screening events, film festivals and so forth before and/or during Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2021 in Tokyo.
- Films streamed online with Japanese subtitles and/or in the Japanese language before and/or during Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2021 in Tokyo.
- Non-dialogue films available online will be ineligible.
*If the film is in a non-Japanese language, has no Japanese subtitles and is available online outside of Japan, it will still be eligible for the competition.
* Japan Premiere status is not required for Japan Competition
2. Genre:
All genres are accepted with the exception of non-fiction films and music videos.
3. Production Year:
The film must have been produced after June 1, 2019.
The festival committee will determine the production date of your film based on the copyright year listed in the end credits.
4. Production Country:
All. Submissions will be considered in three categories: Japan, Asia International and International.
Eligibility for each category will be determined by the festival committee based on the following criteria: director’s nationality, shooting location, language of the film, nationality of cast and source of funding.
Countries for the Asia International Competition are defined as:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rep. of China, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
<Other things to note>
- Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances.
Sony, which has long supported the dreams of creators as an entertainment company powered by the latest technology, will collaborate with SSFF & ASIA as a sole supporter of the official competition.
【Non-Fiction Competition】
1. Documentary motion picture. It may employ any techniques as long as the film is made as a non-fiction film and the emphasis is on fact and not on fiction.
2. Japan Premiere: Not required
3. Genre: Non-Fiction
4. Production Country: All
5. Production Year:
The film must have been produced after June 1, 2019. The festival committee will determine the production date of your film based on the copyright year listed in the end credits.
<Other things to note>
- Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances.
【Smartphone Film Competition supported by Sony】
1. Short Films fully shot by smartphones. Any equipment could be used for editing. No limitation of brands of smartphones.
2. Japan Premiere: Not required
3. Genre: All genres
4. Production Country: All
5. Production Year:
The film must have been produced after June 1, 2019. The festival committee will determine the production date of your film based on the copyright year listed in the end credits.
＊This competition supported by Sony Mobile Communications Inc.,which produces smartphone Xperia ™ (Sony Mobile), aims to expand the creator's range of expression and opportunities for challenges.
【CG Animation Competition】
1. Any animated short films using either partly or fully computer –generated graphics.
2. Japan Premiere: Not required
3. Genre: Animation
4. Production Country: All
5. Production Year:
The film must have been produced after June 1, 2019. The festival committee will determine the production date of your film based on the copyright year listed in the end credits.
【Cinematic Tokyo Competition】
1. Theme: “Tokyo”
“Tokyo” must feature in the film. You do not have to show the real Tokyo/shoot in Tokyo, however, as depictions can be based on your imagination or fiction.
Examples) Films shot in and around Tokyo
Films depicting locations or objects based on the image of “Tokyo”
Films depicting Tokyo 100 years from now
2. Japan Premiere: Not required
3. Genre: All genres
4. Production Country: All
5. Production Year: Not specified
【BRANDED SHORTS】
- Guidelines-
1. Release Period:
Branded movies that have/will have their first release between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
2. Rules for Participation:
Submissions must be videos produced with the aim of communicating the brand or services of a company/organization to its customers. The company/organization can be part of any industry. The movie can be submitted by any relevant party; the company/organization it was produced for, the advertising company, the production company etc.
- Regulations -
1. In order to promote Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia and Branded Shorts, selected works may be screened/streamed at events or via websites managed by the Committee for Short Shorts (operations company: Pacific Voice Inc.) or other third parties involved.
2. The entering company must receive approval from all related parties.
3. To avoid conflict with the aforementioned stipulation, please ensure that the individual rights relating to writers, performers, musicians etc. have all been cleared in advance before submitting.
- Other things to note -
1. If the submitted work is in a language other than English or Japanese, please submit an English or Japanese script or dialogue list.
2. Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances.
- Judging Process -
SSFF & ASIA will select nominated works. Nominated works will be introduced on the official website and then will be screened at SSFF & ASIA 2021.
- Criteria -
Submitted works will be evaluated on 7 criteria:
Cinematic / Storytelling / Emotional Appeal / Idea / Originality / Shareable / Branding Power
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<<Other Information for the Short Film Competitions (excl. the pitch competition.)>>
<FESTIVAL TOUR>
The National and International Tour of the Festival will take place after SSFF & ASIA 2021 in Tokyo ends. All selected films will be screened in Tokyo, but not all selected films will be screened at all locations. The filmmakers will be notified in case their films will be screened in the tour.
< PLEASE NOTE>>
・ Works in progress will NOT be accepted.
・ If selected, filmmakers are required to provide an Apple ProRes file or NTSC HDCAM as a screening copy.
・ By submitting the film, the submitter acknowledges that the Festival has the right to screen the film in any competition or program at SSFF & ASIA 2021 if selected.
・ Festival venues, dates, awards, travel awards etc. are subject to change at any time.
・ Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
Please also confirm the regulations listed on our official website (https://www.shortshorts.org/en/creators/index.php.)