【Call for Submissions】Judges Announced for the 18th Kyoto Film Pitching -Kyoto Film Pitching-: Director Isshin Inudo and Two Others

The nonprofit organization Visual Industry Promotion Organization (abbreviated as VIPO, President: Takayuki Matsutani, Chuo Ward, Tokyo) will hold the 18th "Kyoto Film Pitching -Kyoto Film Pitching-" in collaboration with Kyoto Prefecture. We are now accepting applications from film directors and producers wishing to participate in this film project competition.

This initiative is a film project contest focusing on period dramas and historical films, aiming to promote emerging creators from Kyoto by leveraging the city's status as a hub for jidaigeki. Industry professionals from the front lines will serve as judges. Selected entries will advance through document screening, and outstanding film projects will be chosen during the final pitching event.

The winning project will receive the right to produce a pilot version of the film valued at 3.5 million yen, intended to lead to a full-length theatrical release. The pilot production will be conducted with cooperation and guidance from Toei Company, Ltd.'s Kyoto Studio or Shochiku Co., Ltd.'s Kyoto Studio, and will be filmed in Kyoto. We encourage all eligible creators to apply.

The three judges for the 18th edition have now been confirmed:

18th Kyoto Film Pitching -Kyoto Film Pitching- Judges

Isshin Inudo Film Director

Born in 1960. Began directing and producing independent films in high school. Made his feature directorial debut with "Futari ga Shabetteiru." (1997). Has since released numerous acclaimed works including "Golden Fields" (1999), "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish" (2003), "Himiko" (2005), "Touch" (2005), "Yellow Tears" (2007), "Bisan" (2007), and "Guruguru" Is a Cat (2008). Won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Work, Director, and Screenplay for "Zero Focus" (2009), and again won Outstanding Work and Director awards for "Nobou no Shiro" (2012). Recent notable works include "Daimyo Moving!!" (2019), "How to Find the Best Life" (2019), "Dance with No Name" and "How" (2022). His recent documentary "Six Faces" follows Ningen Kokuhou (Living National Treasure) kyogen performer Mansaku Nomura.

Takashi Yajima Producer, Film Planning Division, Visual Planning Department, Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Worked in the production department at Shochiku Ofuna Studio, involved in numerous productions including the "Tora-san" series, "Diary of a Fishing Fool" series, "Musuko" (1991), "Tooki Rakujitsu" (1992), "Gakkou" (1993), "Sarariman Senka" (1995), and "Oishinbo" (1996). After becoming a producer, continued working across films, TV dramas, and original videos. Major works include "Tenamonya Shosha" (1998), "Itan no Natsu" (2003 TX), "Kaa-bee" (2008), "Kamogawa Horumo" (2009), "Tokyo Family" (2013), "Super Fast! Sankin Kotai" (2014), "The False Confession" (2015), "Super Fast! Sankin Kotai Returns" (2016), "Flying Tire" (2018), "Daimyo Moving!!" (2019), "Baka ni Mekirawanu Baka" (2021), "Tsuki no Michi Kake" (2022), and "Children of Shylock" (2023). Recent work includes "Hanahei no Himawari" (2025).

Takashi Wada Film Critic / Producer

Born in 1974 in Tokyo. Worked as a journalist for a film industry publication from 1997, spending 17 years reporting and writing articles. Held positions including desk editor before being appointed as a director. Since 2014, has written news and criticism for the film information website eiga.com, while also handling new services and legal affairs. Began producing with "The Boy with Dead Eyes" (2015), a project featuring a young director. Has served as a judge for the special award at the Tanabe-Benkei Film Festival since 2014, and produced the festival's 10th anniversary film "Poetry Angel" (2017) and "Otte Mita" (2020), while also involved in short film productions. Active as both a film journalist and producer. Published a book titled "Film Business" in 2025, designed for both general film fans and professionals. Served as a guest lecturer at the Japan University of Cinema in April–May this year.

◆ Call for Project Submissions

【Submission Guidelines】

(1) The project must be a film concept created by film and video creators (director and producer). (2) The project must be a period or historical drama intended for theatrical release. (3) The project must be conceived with filming planned at major studios in Uzumasa or within Kyoto Prefecture. * Projects must be original and rights-cleared (non-public). * Re-submission of previously entered projects is allowed. * Applicants must provide estimated budget and vision for a feature-length release. * All application documents and presentations must be in Japanese. * Applicants must be able to attend the competition event in person on October 3 at Kyoto Gakuen & Reisaikan, Kyoto Prefectural Museum. * For the post-award pilot production, filming schedules, content (script, shooting plan), etc. must be coordinated with studio staff and the organizing committee. Failure to comply may result in cancellation of the award and withdrawal of pilot production rights.

【How to Apply】 Please apply via the link button "Kyoto Film Pitching -Kyoto Film Pitching- Official Website" below.

【Deadline】Must arrive by Tuesday, July 21, 2026

【Film Pitching Event】Saturday, October 3, 2026 @ Kyoto Gakuen & Reisaikan, Kyoto Prefectural Museum

【Project Consultation Session】 A select number of applicants will be invited to a consultation session with active producers to refine their project ideas—a valuable opportunity to develop your concept (※Details will be announced after the submission deadline).

For more information and to apply, visit:

【Organizers】Kyoto Prefecture, Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO) 【Co-organizer】KYOTO Cross Media Experience Executive Committee 【Support】Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry 【Cooperation】Toei Co., Ltd. Kyoto Studio, Shochiku Co., Ltd. Studio, Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, National Council for Film Education, Japan Film Producers Association

★ Achievements of Past Winners ★ 〇 "Kuro no Ushi" (Director: Tetsuichiro Tsuru) <First project from Kyoto Film Pitching to be developed into a feature film!!> The first pilot project from Kyoto Film Pitching to be expanded into a full-length feature. A Japan-U.S.-Taiwan international co-production, shot on 35mm film in Tokushima Prefecture and Taiwan. Stars renowned Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng, with Japanese cast including Minoru Tanaka and music by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, bringing together a globally diverse team. Selected for the "Asian Future" section and officially screened at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival in 2024. In 2025, won the top prize, the "Firebird Award," in the Young Cinema Competition at the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival—the first time a Japanese film has received this honor. Released nationwide starting January 23, 2026, including at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho. ※Stage greeting report available [here]

〇 "Suiko" (Director: Masakazu Kaneko) 2020's winning project was selected as one of 19 projects for the "NAFF It Project" at the 2021 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival's project market, winning the Mocha Chai Award in the post-production support category.

〇 "Utsutsu no Hikari, Utsuru Yoru" (Director: Yohei Shikano) 2022's winning project was selected for the NEO JAPAN program at Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2024 (SSFF & ASIA 2024) and screened on June 6, 2024, at Eurospace.

〇 "Survival Ninja" (Director: Masaki Umatsu) 2023's winning project was selected for the Japan Film Festival Los Angeles (JFFLA 2024), winning the Best Action Award. Also selected for the Budapest Film Festival, winning the Excellence Award in the short film category.

〇 "Hikaremono no Koyoubushi" (Director: Shinsuke Kurimoto, Screenplay: Ryu Shimamura) 2024's winning project was selected for the Yamagata International Movie Festival (YMF2025) and won the Nippon Telegraph Holdings Award.

【Inquiries】 Kyoto Film Pitching -Kyoto Film Pitching- Secretariat (c/o Visual Industry Promotion Organization [VIPO]) e-mail: [email protected]