Gateway for Young Filmmakers: 'Kobe Independent Film Festival 2026' Announced, Submissions Open May 11! Grand Prix Prize Money is 100,000 Yen.
The 'Kobe Independent Film Festival 2026,' a gateway for young filmmakers, will be held in Kobe City on November 14-15, 2026. This 8th edition, themed 'Discover, Connect, Expand,' begins accepting submissions for its independent film competition on May 11. There are three categories: Competition (General), Young (U25), and International Shorts, with the Grand Prix winner receiving 100,000 yen and a trophy. The early entry period is from May 11 to May 31.
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Kobe Independent Film Festival (Representative: Kei Saito, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture) has decided to hold the "Kobe Independent Film Festival 2026."
This year, the 8th edition will be held for two days, November 14 (Saturday) to 15 (Sunday), 2026, in Kobe City.
This film festival is developed with the theme of "Discover, Connect, Expand," as a film festival where young talents and diverse works gather and interact. Over the seven years from 2019 to 2025, a total of 228 films have been screened.
In conjunction with the event, we will begin accepting submissions for competition films.
Submissions will be accepted in three categories: "Competition (General)," "Young (U25)," and "International Shorts."
2026 Submission Flyer
[Film Festival Outline]
Name: Kobe Independent Film Festival 2026
Dates: November 14 (Saturday) - 15 (Sunday), 2026
Venue: Shinkaichi Art Hiroba 2F Hall (5-3-14 Shinkaichi, Hyogo Ward, Kobe City)
Organizer: Kobe Independent Film Festival
Official Website: https://kobe-filmfes.com/
[Competition Open Call Outline]
◇Competition (General)
・Short film: Japanese film within 30 minutes
・Medium-length/Feature film: Japanese film between 30 minutes and 90 minutes
・Works completed after April 1, 2024
・Independent films and self-produced films made in Japan
◇Young (U25)
・Japanese film within 30 minutes
・Director under 25 years old (born after April 1, 2001)
・Works completed after April 1, 2024
・Independent films and self-produced films made in Japan
◇International Shorts
・Overseas film within 40 minutes
・Short films produced outside Japan
・English subtitles required
■Submission Period
Early Entry: May 11 - 31
Regular Entry: June 1 - 20
Late Entry: June 21 - July 10
Extended Deadline: July 11 - 30
*Application fees vary depending on the entry period.
■Selection and Screening
Excellent works will be selected from the submitted works and screened at this film festival as selected works.
The Grand Prix work will be decided from the selected works and awarded.
The winner of the Best Work (Grand Prix) will receive 100,000 yen in prize money and a trophy.
*For details on submission information, application methods, and the latest information, please visit the official website below.
https://kobe-filmfes.com/
2026 Group Photo
2026 Venue Screen
2026 Stage "Demae Shojo Tanpopo" Team
2026 Awards Ceremony
2026 Lobby / Panel Front
This year, the 8th edition will be held for two days, November 14 (Saturday) to 15 (Sunday), 2026, in Kobe City.
This film festival is developed with the theme of "Discover, Connect, Expand," as a film festival where young talents and diverse works gather and interact. Over the seven years from 2019 to 2025, a total of 228 films have been screened.
In conjunction with the event, we will begin accepting submissions for competition films.
Submissions will be accepted in three categories: "Competition (General)," "Young (U25)," and "International Shorts."
2026 Submission Flyer
[Film Festival Outline]
Name: Kobe Independent Film Festival 2026
Dates: November 14 (Saturday) - 15 (Sunday), 2026
Venue: Shinkaichi Art Hiroba 2F Hall (5-3-14 Shinkaichi, Hyogo Ward, Kobe City)
Organizer: Kobe Independent Film Festival
Official Website: https://kobe-filmfes.com/
[Competition Open Call Outline]
◇Competition (General)
・Short film: Japanese film within 30 minutes
・Medium-length/Feature film: Japanese film between 30 minutes and 90 minutes
・Works completed after April 1, 2024
・Independent films and self-produced films made in Japan
◇Young (U25)
・Japanese film within 30 minutes
・Director under 25 years old (born after April 1, 2001)
・Works completed after April 1, 2024
・Independent films and self-produced films made in Japan
◇International Shorts
・Overseas film within 40 minutes
・Short films produced outside Japan
・English subtitles required
■Submission Period
Early Entry: May 11 - 31
Regular Entry: June 1 - 20
Late Entry: June 21 - July 10
Extended Deadline: July 11 - 30
*Application fees vary depending on the entry period.
■Selection and Screening
Excellent works will be selected from the submitted works and screened at this film festival as selected works.
The Grand Prix work will be decided from the selected works and awarded.
The winner of the Best Work (Grand Prix) will receive 100,000 yen in prize money and a trophy.
*For details on submission information, application methods, and the latest information, please visit the official website below.
https://kobe-filmfes.com/
2026 Group Photo
2026 Venue Screen
2026 Stage "Demae Shojo Tanpopo" Team
2026 Awards Ceremony
2026 Lobby / Panel Front
FAQ
When will the Kobe Independent Film Festival 2026 be held?
It will be held for two days, November 14 (Saturday) and 15 (Sunday), 2026, in Kobe City.
When does the submission period for works begin?
Early entry begins on May 11 and runs until May 31, 2026.