Competition List
*Eligibility and deadlines may change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Automatic official-site checks have not run yet.
A curated list of film, animation, documentary, CG, and media competitions relevant to students applying from Japan.
Generally entered through accredited schools; individual applicants should consult in advance. One of the world's most prestigious student awards, with categories for film, games, and immersive work. Each school has a cap on the number of submissions.
Open to international applicants aged 16-25. Organised by the British Film Institute, for short films (running-time and other detailed rules vary by year - see the official website). A key stepping stone for young creators.
Open to international applicants. Focused on VFX and animation, and also accepts experimental and AI-generated work. Deadlines vary by year - see the official website.
Open to both students and professionals, with a dedicated student animation category. Eligibility, entry fees, and submission formats vary by year - see the official website.
Open worldwide. A leading UK documentary festival that also accepts student and independent work. Conditions vary by year - see the official website.
Eligibility conditions apply - please check. Includes a student documentary category. Detailed rules (such as UK-premiere requirements) vary by year - see the official website.
Open to international students. For student work in 2D, 3DCG, stop-motion, VFX and more. See the official website for the latest category rules.
Open worldwide, for student graduation films. The world's largest animation festival; winning in the student section is one of the fastest routes into the industry.
Restricted to students of film schools. The student section of the Cannes Film Festival, and one of the most competitive selections in the world.
Open worldwide. A world-renowned short film festival. See the official website for international and national category rules.
Open worldwide. A leading European animation festival that also accepts student work. See the official website for categories, deadlines, and submission rules.
Open worldwide. One of the world's foremost documentary festivals, also accepting student work. See the official website for categories, deadlines, and submission rules.
Open worldwide, for work aimed at young audiences. A section of the Berlin International Film Festival; students may enter if the work is for children or young people.
Restricted to students at accredited schools. Presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; winners may become eligible for Oscar nomination.
Requires student membership. The premier venue for technical research and computer-graphics work, where the technology behind the piece is what is judged.
Open worldwide. An international festival for short films. See the official website for animation, documentary, live-action, and other category rules.
Open worldwide, with short film, animation, and documentary categories. Some years include provisions for student work or sections aimed at emerging creators. Categories and eligibility vary by year - see the official website.
Open worldwide, with a dedicated student category. North America's largest animation festival; the student section stands on its own and places a strong emphasis on artistry.
Open worldwide. A leading North American documentary festival. See the official website for each category's eligibility, deadlines, and fees.
Portfolio-based international award for students and emerging creatives. Covers animation, VFX, games, motion graphics, and XR. Overall skills and creative process are evaluated rather than a single finished piece.
Eligibility conditions apply - please check. The host city rotates around Asia each year. Covers computer animation, art, augmented reality, and technical papers - a showcase of the latest in the region's film, CG, and interactive fields. See the official website for categories, deadlines, and entry conditions.
Open worldwide. An international festival for animation. See the official website for the student section and eligibility.
Open worldwide, students welcome. One of Japan's largest awards, spanning animation, art, entertainment, and a wide range of other genres.
Students only, from high school through postgraduate level. With nearly 30 years of history, it is a well-known launchpad for students, covering computer graphics, video, and interactive work.
Open to applicants in the Asia region, roughly ages 15-35. Young creators from across Asia compete, with a dedicated Japan Grand Prix.
Open worldwide, students welcome. An Academy Award-qualifying international short film festival with a particularly strong student section.
Open worldwide, held every two years. A revered home of documentary cinema, with the student-friendly 'New Asian Currents' section.
Restricted to students in Japan and abroad. A contest connecting student work across countries, covering live action, digital content, and more.
Mainly for independent work produced in Japan. The pinnacle of Japanese independent filmmaking and a renowned gateway into the profession.