Call for Submissions due by April 10, 2020
The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and Screenshot: Asia invite submissions for the second bianual Japan Documenaty Film Award
Have you recently created a feature-length documentary about Japanese people, cultures, history, or other significant aspects of contemporary or historical Japanese life? If so, your film could be eligible for the University of Pittsburgh Japan Documentary Film Award. The JDFA, held on September 24, 2020, awards a $5000 USD cash prize* to one exemplary documentary film promoting the understanding of Japan and Japanese culture. Films must focus on any of the following topics: the geographic region of Japan, contemporary or historical Japanese cultural or social phenomena, Japanese practices, historical events, or explorations of Japanese diasporas.
The winner will receive:
• A $5000 USD cash prize
• A screening of the film as part of a larger event at the University of Pittsburgh
• Roundtrip airfare for the director, as well as accommodations for the screening event
Rules and Terms:
1. Films must have been completed after Jan 1, 2018.
2. Submissions can be in any language but must include English subtitles.
3. Submissions must include a 1-page supplementary statement describing how the film promotes the understanding of Japan/Japanese culture.
4. The winner(s) must be present at the celebratory screening on September 24, 2020. Travel and accommodations will be provided for the prize recipient.
5. The University of Pittsburgh must be afforded the rights to screen the film for the public during the awards ceremony (September 2020).
6. Submission gives University of Pittsburgh rights to publish stills from submitted films for promotional materials only. Films/artists will be credited.
7. Submissions must be received by April 10, 2020.
To apply:
Submit digital screener, with a production date of Jan 1, 2018 or later, along with your application materials and supplementary 1-page statement about the relationship of the submitted film to Japanese culture, to University of Pittsburgh Japan Documentary Film Award's FilmFreeway site.
or
3 copies of the film in DVD format (region 1 or 0), and a supplementary 1-page statement about the film's relationship to Japanese culture, to:
University of Pittsburgh Japan Documentary Film Award Committee
2733 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260 **
Learn more at: https://www.jdfa.pitt.edu/
*Winnings subject to US tax law
**Digital submissions preferred
Submission deadline April 10, 2020 (mailed submissions must be postmarked by this date)