Call for Films | 13th JSFF
- May 13
- 2 min read
Japanese Serbian Film Festival (JSFF) invites filmmakers to explore the spaces where identities, societies, and technologies exist in between—between past and future, tradition and innovation, local and global, certainty and uncertainty.
For its 13th edition, JSFF focuses on films that capture liminal moments of transition—personal, cultural, and cinematic. We welcome works from Japan and Serbia, as well as international entries that resonate with our cross-cultural mission.
Possible interpretations of “IN BETWEEN”:
• Characters navigating life transitions: adolescence, migration, career shifts, family dynamics, personal transformation.
• Societies in flux: economic change, political shifts, cultural hybridization, and evolving identities.
• Cinema itself “in between”: analog and digital, local and global, art and industry, tradition and experimentation.
• Technologies reshaping human experience: AI, automation, digital identities, climate adaptation, and future realities.
JSFF remains committed to fostering dialogue between Japanese and Serbian filmmakers, while opening space for global perspectives that reflect an increasingly interconnected world.
Categories:
• Feature Film Competition (Japan / Serbia / International)
• Short Film Competition (Japan / Serbia / International)
Optional Categories:
• J-Drama
• Animation
• Special Focus: Curated thematic programs, retrospectives, and industry panels
Submissions via FILM FREEWAY:
All submissions should be submitted by FILMFREEWAY portal. SUBMIT YOUR FILM HERE>>
JSFF2026 PRESENTS NEW SELECTION OF AWARDS
Award fund and specific awarding allocation to be announced prior to the event.
JSFF FEATURE
■ BEST JAPANESE FILM
■ BEST SERBIAN FILM
Notice: The jury will decide the annual festival's best film from the two.
JSFF SHORTS
■ BEST SHORT FILM
■ BEST JAPANESE SHORT (Serbian Jury Award)
■ BEST SERBIAN SHORT (Japanese Jury Award)
■ NIKOLA STOJANOVIC LEGACY
ELIGIBILITY
- Country of production or co-production: Japan or Serbia (JSFF NATIVE);
- Non-JSFF NATIVE COUNTRIES are able to apply only if the film is co-produced in one of JSFF NATIVE COUNTRIES (Japan or Serbia);
- JSFF NATIVE director who made a film outside of JSFF NATIVE COUNTRIES is allowed to apply.
Qualification terms
🗸Feature film Length: Minimum of 60 minutes.
🗸Short film Length: Maximum of 30 minutes.
🗸J-Drama(up to 2 episodes): Maximum time per episode: 60mins
🗸Animations: Short or Feature will be screened in short or feature sessions; Anime series can allow up to 2 episodes per title, Maximum time per episode: of 60mins
🗸Genre: All genres
🗸Year of Productions: All movies made after January 1st 2025.
🗸Video format: h.264 (DCP - conditional to venue)
🗸English subtitles
🗸Minimum required materials: Poster, Synopsis, Trailer and subtiles (srt file).
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By applying to JSFF, applicants allow the festival to exhibit/screen films at JSFF travelling events and/or use works for education, and/or festival promotion; JSFF can use the prints for the purpose of PR with maximum care and caution but cannot be held for any unpredictable damage of the file during shipping, use, preview or screening; JSFF also is not responsible for any copyright, trademark, credits to all participants or author rights issues.
By submitting the work, applicants understand that JSFF claims screening rights for a period of 5 years in the line-up of the festival's re-run.
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