[ndjc2026] <Call for Directors Opens> 'ndjc: Young Filmmaker Development Project 2026'
VIPO has started accepting applications for directors for the Agency for Cultural Affairs' commissioned project 'ndjc 2026'. The deadline is May 18. Selected young creators will experience short film production under professional guidance.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 23:30
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The Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Abbreviation: VIPO, Chairman: Takayuki Matsutani, Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) is accepting applications for participating directors for the 2026 fiscal year in the 'ndjc: Young Filmmaker Development Project 2026' (Official name: FY2026 Project for Fostering Young Filmmakers, etc.) commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
The 'ndjc: Young Filmmaker Development Project' hosted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs is a human resource development project operated by VIPO since 2006, commissioned by the Agency, with the aim of discovering and fostering young filmmakers who will carry the next generation. Targeted at young filmmakers, the project supports their future activities by providing opportunities to present their works through screening activities, in addition to passing on the knowledge and authentic visual production techniques necessary to hone their authorship through workshops and practical production training.
*ndjc... New Directions in Japanese Cinema
Entering its 21st year, the project has produced a total of 93 alumni directors, with over 40% making their commercial feature film directorial debuts, making 'ndjc' a veritable gateway to success for young film directors. Particularly in recent years, their reputation at international film festivals has been growing.
Director Yoko Yamanaka (ndjc 2019) became the youngest female director to win the FIPRESCI Prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for 'Desert of Namibia'. Following her, Director Yui Dantsuka (ndjc 2021) became the youngest Japanese ever to have his film 'Generation of Views' selected for the Directors' Fortnight at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. Both directors have achieved great success with feature films built upon their experiences at ndjc. In addition, it was recently announced that Director Yukiko Sode's (ndjc 2009) 'All the Lovers in the Night' was officially selected for the 'Un Certain Regard' section at the 79th Cannes Film Festival (to be held May 12-23, 2026). This makes it the third consecutive year that films by ndjc alumni directors have been submitted to the Cannes Film Festival, a highly joyful result.
Moreover, new works are lining up one after another, including 'Releasing the Cat' (Releasing Saturday, May 2), the first feature film by Director Daisuke Shigaya (ndjc 2020), which was selected for the Competition section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, and 'Your Quiz' (Releasing Friday, May 15), the latest film by Director Kohei Yoshino, who handles major works such as the Amazon MGM Studios production 'The Silent Service' series.
★ About the ndjc Curriculum
At ndjc, we have built a curriculum so that participants can gain learning and experience from many professionals active on the front lines.
- Participants for the workshop are selected in a primary screening from applicants recommended by film and visual-related organizations.
- The number of workshop participants is about 10 to 15, and from among them, about 4 directors are chosen to proceed to practical production training (short film production), considering their submissions and workshop results.
- The selected directors produce a short film under the guidance of professional film staff.
- After completion, screenings and critique sessions are held.
Furthermore, an expert selection committee will review and decide on the participating directors.
Workshop / Filming / Joint Critique Screening
◆ How to Apply for 'ndjc 2026' ◆
[Application Guidelines and Submission Document Formats]
Please download the application guidelines and submission document formats from the official ndjc website below.
Click here for Application Guidelines and Submission Document Formats
[Application Deadline]
Submission of application documents: By 12:00 on Monday, May 18
*Please note that all communication and submissions must be made through a recommending organization. Directors cannot apply directly themselves.
[Application Explanation Video]
It will be uploaded to the official ndjc website soon. Please watch it with the application guidelines at hand.
◆ Future Schedule (Planned) ◆
1. Call for Directors: Wednesday, April 15 - Monday, May 18
2. Workshop: Late July - Early August
3. Practical Production Training: August - January 2027
4. Presentation of Works: March 2027
★ Details on the main activities of ndjc alumni directors can be found [Here]
★ Theatrical Release of 'ndjc 2025' Completed Works
Sequentially released in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya from Friday, April 24.
The 4 completed works from the previous year will be theatrically released in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Those considering applying are highly encouraged to watch them on the screen using this opportunity.
[Screening Works] *All 4 shown together
- '360,000 Liters of Overflow' Director: Shun Tsujii
*The formal spelling of Tsuji includes a specific radical variation
- 'Repeating Woman' Director: Erei Nakata
- 'Meandering and Straight' Director: Natsuka Yashiro
- 'End of the Cycle' Director...
The 'ndjc: Young Filmmaker Development Project' hosted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs is a human resource development project operated by VIPO since 2006, commissioned by the Agency, with the aim of discovering and fostering young filmmakers who will carry the next generation. Targeted at young filmmakers, the project supports their future activities by providing opportunities to present their works through screening activities, in addition to passing on the knowledge and authentic visual production techniques necessary to hone their authorship through workshops and practical production training.
*ndjc... New Directions in Japanese Cinema
Entering its 21st year, the project has produced a total of 93 alumni directors, with over 40% making their commercial feature film directorial debuts, making 'ndjc' a veritable gateway to success for young film directors. Particularly in recent years, their reputation at international film festivals has been growing.
Director Yoko Yamanaka (ndjc 2019) became the youngest female director to win the FIPRESCI Prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for 'Desert of Namibia'. Following her, Director Yui Dantsuka (ndjc 2021) became the youngest Japanese ever to have his film 'Generation of Views' selected for the Directors' Fortnight at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. Both directors have achieved great success with feature films built upon their experiences at ndjc. In addition, it was recently announced that Director Yukiko Sode's (ndjc 2009) 'All the Lovers in the Night' was officially selected for the 'Un Certain Regard' section at the 79th Cannes Film Festival (to be held May 12-23, 2026). This makes it the third consecutive year that films by ndjc alumni directors have been submitted to the Cannes Film Festival, a highly joyful result.
Moreover, new works are lining up one after another, including 'Releasing the Cat' (Releasing Saturday, May 2), the first feature film by Director Daisuke Shigaya (ndjc 2020), which was selected for the Competition section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, and 'Your Quiz' (Releasing Friday, May 15), the latest film by Director Kohei Yoshino, who handles major works such as the Amazon MGM Studios production 'The Silent Service' series.
★ About the ndjc Curriculum
At ndjc, we have built a curriculum so that participants can gain learning and experience from many professionals active on the front lines.
- Participants for the workshop are selected in a primary screening from applicants recommended by film and visual-related organizations.
- The number of workshop participants is about 10 to 15, and from among them, about 4 directors are chosen to proceed to practical production training (short film production), considering their submissions and workshop results.
- The selected directors produce a short film under the guidance of professional film staff.
- After completion, screenings and critique sessions are held.
Furthermore, an expert selection committee will review and decide on the participating directors.
Workshop / Filming / Joint Critique Screening
◆ How to Apply for 'ndjc 2026' ◆
[Application Guidelines and Submission Document Formats]
Please download the application guidelines and submission document formats from the official ndjc website below.
Click here for Application Guidelines and Submission Document Formats
[Application Deadline]
Submission of application documents: By 12:00 on Monday, May 18
*Please note that all communication and submissions must be made through a recommending organization. Directors cannot apply directly themselves.
[Application Explanation Video]
It will be uploaded to the official ndjc website soon. Please watch it with the application guidelines at hand.
◆ Future Schedule (Planned) ◆
1. Call for Directors: Wednesday, April 15 - Monday, May 18
2. Workshop: Late July - Early August
3. Practical Production Training: August - January 2027
4. Presentation of Works: March 2027
★ Details on the main activities of ndjc alumni directors can be found [Here]
★ Theatrical Release of 'ndjc 2025' Completed Works
Sequentially released in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya from Friday, April 24.
The 4 completed works from the previous year will be theatrically released in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Those considering applying are highly encouraged to watch them on the screen using this opportunity.
[Screening Works] *All 4 shown together
- '360,000 Liters of Overflow' Director: Shun Tsujii
*The formal spelling of Tsuji includes a specific radical variation
- 'Repeating Woman' Director: Erei Nakata
- 'Meandering and Straight' Director: Natsuka Yashiro
- 'End of the Cycle' Director...