Niigata International Animation Festival Announces New Structure, Revamped Competition Focused on Emerging Talent

(Niigata, Japan) The Niigata International Animation Festival—which launched in 2023 and has quickly established its position as one of Asia's leading feature-length animation film festivals—is proud to announce its fourth edition with a renewed direction and organizational structure. This transition comes as the festival honors the legacy of its founder, Kenzō Horikoshi, who passed away suddenly in June of this year.

Kenzō Horikoshi made immeasurable contributions to the Japanese film and education communities. He was known for producing films by renowned live-action directors such as Leos Carax and Abbas Kiarostami. He was also instrumental in founding the Film School of Tokyo, the Graduate School of Film and New Media at Tokyo University of the Arts (the alumni include Ryusuke Hamaguchi), and Eurospace, a pioneering Japanese art-house cinema. Additionally, he served as an Emeritus Professor at Kaishi Professional University. Following his passing and a change in the previous director team, the festival is entering a new phase. Its primary objective is now to "discover and strongly support emerging talent who will lead the animation industry, while promoting both local and international collaboration."

Competition Revamp: Newcomer Award and Distribution Grant Established

To increase international exposure for young creators and provide sustainable support for their work, the festival is significantly restructuring its competition.

1. Feature Film Category (40 minutes or longer)

This category continues to focus on feature-length animated films, but now includes a newly established distribution grant system for the Grand Prix winner.

● Fully Invited System: The selected director or producer will be fully invited, with travel and accommodation expenses to Niigata covered. This is designed to enhance networking and exposure opportunities with Japanese industry professionals.
● Distribution Support Fund: The Grand Prix winner will receive a ¥500,000 JPY distribution support fund (approximately $3,200 USD) to be used by the distributor for the film's release in the Japanese domestic market. This provides financial backing for entering the Japanese market.

2. Indie Box Category (Newly Established)

The Indie Box Category has been created for mid-length works (15 minutes or longer, but less than 40 minutes)—a format that has historically had limited opportunities for recognition at animation festivals.

● This category will evaluate and recognize well-directed, story-driven works.
● A single episode from a series is also eligible.
● The Grand Prix is designated as the "Swan Award," which includes a ¥500,000 JPY production support fund for the winner's next project (approximately $3,200 USD).

3. Newcomer Award: "Senkrechtstarter Award" (Newly Established)

A new award for emerging talent, the "Senkrechtstarter Award," will be established for selected individuals across both the Feature Film and Indie Box categories. (Note: "Senkrechtstarter" is a German term meaning "vertical starter," often used to describe a sudden, high-flying success or high-potential newcomer.)

New Leadership and Strengthened Local Partnership

This year marks the first time the festival will be co-hosted by Niigata City (Organizer: Niigata International Animation Festival / Co-host: Niigata City), signaling a strengthened commitment to cooperation with the host city.

● Hyoe Narita (former President of Viz Media Europe), who succeeded the late Kenzo Horikoshi as Dean of the Manga and Animation Department at the Niigata-based Kaishi Professional University, has been appointed as the Executive Committee Chairman.
● The Program Directors will be jointly served by three individuals:
○ Makoto HOJO, Representative Director and current Manager of Eurospace.
○ Tao NASHIMOTO (Sunny Rain), a film director based in Niigata.
○ Masayuki UCHIDA, Representative of the Anime studio "Niigata Animation."
● Academic personnel from Niigata will be actively involved in the selection and programming teams to ensure a balance between local and international perspectives.

Additionally, Nobuaki Doi (Founder and CEO of New Deer / current Producer for the festival Hiroshima Animation Season / Visiting Professor at Kaishi Professional University) has been appointed as the General Advisor. Doi, who was deeply involved in launching both the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival and the Hiroshima Animation Season, will provide strong support for the festival's new strategic direction.

Expansion of the International Talent Development and Exchange Program

The "Niigata Animation Camp," which has been a staple since the first edition, will be further expanded with the cooperation of the Asia Film Alliance Network (AFAN).

In addition to creating opportunities for young talent (from Asia and Japan) to attend the festival by inviting them, a new 2-week workshop course will be established where young creators from Asia collaborate on animation production with the support of AFAN. The festival will focus on the international development and discovery of a wider range of talent, from young professionals to seasoned veterans across Asia and Japan.

The festival will also collaborate with the Niigata Anime and Manga Valley Initiative, promoted by the NSG Group, to establish Niigata as an international hub for animation. Details regarding the jury and program schedule will be announced soon.