VIDEO MATSURI
STUDENT SHORT FILM CONTEST
VIDEO MATSURI ENTRY GUIDELINES
Please read the following guidelines before creating your entry. See also Video Making Tips, and Classroom Ideas.
Entries close September 25, 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
Entries must:
- be from current Australian and New Zealand students from primary to tertiary.
- be 3 minutes (including credits) or less for the Primary to Tertiary Divisions
- be 60 seconds or less for the Shorts Division
- contain mostly Japanese language script. English subtitles are recommended.
- include the signature item
DIVISIONS
- Primary
- Junior Secondary (Year 7 – 10)
- Senior Secondary (Year 11 – 12)
- Tertiary
- Shorts (open to all primary to tertiary levels)
Number of entries allowed: All divisions (incl. Shorts): no restrictions per institution
SIGNATURE ITEM
The signature item should appear somewhere as a prop, be mentioned verbally or in text on the screen, or somehow otherwise form part of the film. It does not need to be the theme of the story.
The signature item for 2026 is flower (はな).
PRIZES
One winner from each division (Primary to Tertiary) will be chosen, with the possibility of two in the case of a tie in one of the divisions. Please note that prizes can be subject to change.
Prizes can include trophies, certificates, Japan Foundation merchandise, Crunchyroll anime merchandise, Sugoi Co shop vouchers and tickets to Sugoi theatrical releases (thanks to the contest supporters) (TBC).
For 2026 only, a special prize pack will be awarded to one entry that best embodies the spirit of Japan–Australia friendship.
All participants will be able to download a participation certificate.
Entry Permission
- School teachers must seek parental/guardian permission for any applicants under 18 years of age.
- All visually identifiable people who appear in the video must give their consent.
- Please follow your school’s own procedures for parental permission to enter the Video Matsuri Contest, or this form as a template or alternative if needed: permission form template
Copyright
Entrants are responsible for all copyright clearances for their entries.
Entry Submission Method
Starting in 2026, participants may submit their entries using either of the following methods:
Option 1: Unlisted YouTube Link
As done in previous years, upload your video to YouTube and set the privacy setting to Unlisted.
Please ensure:
- Name of Video: Video Matsuri 2026: Video title – School name (State/Territory).
<E.g.> Video Matsuri 2026: Severus Snape’s Weekend – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft (NSW) - Privacy settings: Must be Unlisted (This means the video cannot be searched for or viewed without this specific link).
Option 2: Share Drive Download Link
You may also submit your entry using a downloadable link from a cloud storage service, such as:
- Google Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Other similar file-sharing platforms as directed by your school
Please ensure:
- Name of File: Video Matsuri 2026: Video title – School name (State/Territory).
<E.g.> Video Matsuri 2026: Severus Snape’s Weekend – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft (NSW) - The link allows viewing and downloading access.
- The file remains available until the judging process is complete (Mid-November).
Please note that winning entries submitted via share drive may be made available as unlisted videos and published on the Japan Foundation, Sydney YouTube channel for a period of up to one year.
CONTEST RESULTS
Contest results will be announced on this page and also via J-Teacher and email in mid-November 2026
