Japan–China International Animation AI Film Festival 2027: Four Global Categories, ¥1m Top Awards
The second Japan–China International Animation AI Film Festival (JCIAFF2027) is calling for animation from filmmakers and digital artists around the world. The festival will be held 28–30 May 2027 at Tokorozawa Sakura Town and the Kadokawa Culture Museum in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Work completed in or after May 2025 qualifies for one of FOUR running-time categories, from under one minute to features over an hour. In contrast to illustration contests that ban generative images, JCIAFF explicitly welcomes animation produced with new methods INCLUDING artificial intelligence, alongside hand-drawn, stop-motion and CG. Entries opened 16 October 2026 and close 28 February 2027 at 23:59 Japan Standard Time.
Four categories and correct prize amounts
Feature Animation, 60 minutes or longer: Grand Prix JPY1,000,000; second prize JPY300,000.
Short Animation, 10 minutes to less than 60: Grand Prix JPY500,000; second prize JPY200,000.
Short-Short Animation, 1 minute to less than 10: Grand Prix JPY1,000,000; second prize JPY300,000.
Under 1 Minute, less than 60 seconds: Grand Prix JPY300,000; second prize JPY100,000.
All four categories accept portrait or landscape orientation and works made with AI or traditional techniques, provided the current entry conditions are satisfied.
An international call that accepts finished work
Applicants should submit a COMPLETED film with clear authorship, running time and evidence that the submitted version was completed in May 2025 or later. A one-minute film belongs in the Short-Short category, not Under 1 Minute; similarly a 10-minute film belongs to the Short category and a 60-minute film belongs to Feature. The official competition page spells out these inclusive and exclusive time boundaries. The Short-Short programme specifically welcomes animation made for social media, the web and smartphones, not only theatrical release.
Application system: Japan Contents Gate
Application window: 16 October 2026 at 12:00 to 28 February 2027 at 23:59 JST.
Complete the relevant category's entry regulation and personal-information handling acknowledgements.
Submit via the organiser's Japan Contents Gate (JCG) platform, available as a website or smartphone application.
Creating a JCG account is explicitly FREE, but check the linked per-category entry terms for any other submission or publicity conditions; registration and festival selection are different stages.
The organiser does not advertise that every shortlisted filmmaker receives travel, accommodation or production funding.
Rights and AI production disclosure
Although the festival permits AI-based techniques, applicants still need appropriate rights for generated characters, reference images, music, dialogue, synthetic voices and trained or licensed assets. Use of an AI model does not by itself transfer third-party copyrights or performers' rights to the filmmaker. Have a clear description of the production process and credits ready in case the application requests them. The rules for screening, streaming and festival promotional footage should be examined before submitting exclusive commercial content.
Organiser identity and programme history
The festival is organised by the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation and is chaired by former Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner Ryohei Miyata, a Tokyo University of the Arts president emeritus. Its cinema events connect Japanese and Chinese creators with professional film and animation networks. The second edition adds 'AI' to the festival name to recognise newer technology alongside traditional animation rather than to require AI use. The official site names jurors, current award amounts, contest schedules and venues, providing a clear basis for verifying the call.
Official rules and submission
JCIAFF 2027 official English site and four prizes: https://www.jciaff.net/en/
Japan Contents Gate application through the festival's official page: https://www.jciaff.net/en/competition/
Checked 24 October 2026. Application deadline 28 February 2027, 23:59 JST. No claim of guaranteed prize money for participants other than confirmed winning categories.