"SKIP CITY KINETEC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL" Decided to be Held! ~Inheriting and Developing the Legacy of "SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-CINEMA FESTIVAL"~

The "SKIP CITY KINETEC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL," which inherits and develops the legacy of the "SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-CINEMA FESTIVAL" – a gateway for digital cinema that has nurtured numerous talents since its inception in 2004 – will be held in January 2027.

We will begin accepting competition entries from July 1st.

Furthermore, Mr. Xu Haochen has been appointed as the director to steer this film festival.

The Meaning Behind the New Name "Kinetec"

Established in 2004 with a focus on digital cinema when film was mainstream, the "SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-CINEMA FESTIVAL" has served as a "gateway for young creators," nurturing many talents. Against the backdrop of remarkable advancements in video technology and the diversification of viewing environments, the festival aims for further evolution while inheriting its legacy, and will be newly implemented as the "SKIP CITY KINETEC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL."

The name "Kinetec" is a coined word representing "Kinema (film) + Technology."

This film festival will pursue new forms of visual expression utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI and VFX (Visual Effects), going beyond the conventional framework of cinema. It aims to discover and support talented visual creators who will lead the next generation, while also creating business opportunities for video-related businesses through exhibitions of the latest video technologies and business meetings. It also aims to be a place where citizens can enjoy learning about the present and future of film and video content.

Festival Outline

Name: SKIP CITY KINETEC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Dates: January 31, 2027 (Sun) - February 7, 2027 (Sun) Total 8 days

Venue: SKIP CITY SAINOKUNI VISUAL PLAZA (3-12-63 Kami-aoki, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture), etc.

Organizers: Saitama Prefecture, Kawaguchi City, Kawaguchi Chamber of Commerce and Industry

WEB: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/

Announcement of New Director Appointment

Mr. Xu Haochen has been appointed as the director to lead the new vision of the "SKIP CITY KINETEC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL."

【New Director Profile】

Xu Haochen

Born in Shanghai, China in 1988. Graduated from Ritsumeikan University.

From 2008, he has published critiques of Japanese cinema and analyses of the film industry, primarily through Chinese film magazines and portal sites. Since 2016, he has irregularly published papers at the Beijing Film Academy, China's only film-specialized university, and has given guest lectures at Ritsumeikan University, Nihon University College of Art, and others.

He serves as planner and producer for the web talk show and overseas film distribution label "Katsudō Shashin Cinema Club" with film and video as its theme, and is currently serializing the column "What's Happening? The Chinese Film Market" on Eiga.com. In 2024, he planned and established the "Contemporary Chinese Film Festival" for the purpose of Sino-Japanese film exchange.

Since 2020, he has been a programmer for the Shanghai International Film Festival, responsible for selecting Japanese films. From 2025, he will serve as the Japan representative for the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and as a curator for the China Film Golden Rooster Awards, among other roles, working broadly in film criticism, film festival management, distribution, and international exchange.

In recent years, he has had deep collaborations with "SKIP CITY," co-distributing the film "Lutz: Living by the Sea," which won the Grand Prix at the SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-CINEMA FESTIVAL 2021, in Japan. In 2023, he led the first screening of the Chinese film "The Shadow Play" (special screening) in Japan. He has also continuously participated in talk events at the SAINOKUNI VISUAL PLAZA and engaged in PR activities for the film festival.

【Appointment Comment】

In the history of film spanning over 100 years, we now stand at a new turning point. With each technological advancement, cinema has transformed its form while continuing to be an art that reflects human imagination and emotions.

This film festival will shed light on new expressions and cinematic experiences born in this era of change, while inheriting the legacy of "D-Cinema." We aspire to be a place that delivers unforeseen surprises and discoveries to audiences and supports the free challenges of creators.

The future of cinema is shaped not only by technology but also by the creativity of the people who use it. We hope this film festival will be a place that records these changes and nurtures the visual culture of the next era.

Competition Entry Outline

1. Submission Categories and Eligibility Requirements

The "SKIP CITY KINETEC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL" seeks film and video works that creatively incorporate new technologies. We are broadly seeking submissions ranging from "films" whose expressions have been updated by technology, to ambitious "video works" that transcend the existing concept of film and challenge new visual expressions.

In all categories, production country/region (Japan or overseas) is not a constraint. Submissions from around the world are welcome.

Film Section (Feature/Short)

【対象】

Film works such as narratives and documentaries

Feature: Films 60 minutes or longer

Short: Films less than 60 minutes

【Main Conditions】

Must use cutting-edge technology (e.g., AI, VFX (Visual Effects), etc.)

Must be in a format that can be screened/played in a standard cinema theater environment.

* Works requiring special equipment such as VR goggles or exhibited using multiple monitors are not eligible.

Must be by a director who has directed no more than 4 feature films (60 minutes or longer) released theatrically.

Must be a work produced on or after July 1, 2025.

Production country/region (Japan or overseas) is not a constraint.

Next Section

【対象】

All video works that do not conform to the traditional framework of cinema (no time limit for screening, genre-agnostic)

(Examples) AI-generated video, vertical videos, music videos, media art, experimental video, CG animation utilizing game engines, etc.

【Main Conditions】

Must use cutting-edge technology (e.g., AI, VFX (Visual Effects), etc.)

Must be in a format that can be screened/played in a standard cinema theater environment.

* Works requiring special equipment such as VR goggles or exhibited using multiple monitors are not eligible.

Must be a work produced on or after July 1, 2025.

Production country/region (Japan or overseas) is not a constraint.

2. Submission Period

July 1, 2026 (Wed) - August 31, 2026 (Mon) *Must arrive by this date

3. Main Awards and Prizes (Planned)

【Film Section】

Feature

Best Picture Award (Prize: 500,000 yen)

Audience Award (Prize: Saitama Prefecture products)

Short

Best Picture Award (Prize: 300,000 yen)

Audience Award (Prize: Saitama Prefecture products)

SKIP CITY AWARD (Prize: 100 hours of production support)

* Applies to all domestic works in both feature and short categories.

【Next Section】

Best Picture Award (Prize: 200,000 yen)

Audience Award (Prize: Saitama Prefecture products)

4. How to Apply

Please apply through the dedicated online entry form on the film festival's official website.

▶ Application URL: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/