The first edition of the NIIGATA International Animation Festival, an event dedicated to feature animation, will run March 17-22 in Niigata, Japan, home of Toei Animation Studio, producers of the country’s first full-length animated feature film, The Tale of the White Serpent (Hakujaden), in 1958.

The city of Niigata has historically focused on developing human resources for manga and animation. It is also a leading center of study for careers in animators and cartoonists, boasting 400 students at technical schools and professional colleges aspiring to these fields.

The festival's main program is a competition of feature-length films, with special screenings, retrospective screenings, academic forums, and lectures. Mamoru Oshii (Mobile Police Patlabor 2 the Movie, Ghost in the Shell, Innocence) will lead the inaugural jury.

Call for entries for the Competition is now open.

• Submission deadlines: Friday, December 23, 2022, 23:00 (JST)
• Entry Fee: Free
• Eligibility criteria: Films (up to 40 min.) after January 1, 2020

Additional information is available here.

Source: NIIGATA International Animation Festival