#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo Arts Council #Film Festivals #Art Support

Tokyo Arts Council Unveils New Support for Film Festivals

In an exciting development for filmmakers, the Tokyo Arts Council has announced the introduction of a new funding category under the Tokyo Arts and Culture Promotion Grant specifically for overseas film festival participation activities. Officially starting from July 1, 2025, this initiative represents a significant step towards boosting Tokyo's cultural outreach on a global scale.

Overview of the New Grant Category

The Tokyo Arts and Culture Promotion Grant aims to enhance Tokyo's artistic appeal by supporting a variety of creative activities and the organizations behind them. Through this program, artists and art organizations based in Tokyo will receive partial funds for their activities, contributing to the city's vibrant cultural scene. The newly established Category IV [Long-term Support] for Overseas Film Festival Participation Activities provides two or three years of funding for projects that involve film post-production and aim for screenings at international film festivals.

Key Details:

• - Eligibility Period for Projects:

Projects must begin after January 1, 2026, and conclude by December 31, 2027 (for two-year support) or by December 31, 2028 (for three-year support).

• - Project Content:

Eligible activities must involve film post-production work aimed at screening in overseas film festivals.

• - Eligible Applicants:

Organizations located in Tokyo are eligible if leading creative roles, such as a director or producer, reside within the city. Individual filmmakers residing in Tokyo can also apply.

Financial Support:

The funding amount varies depending on the project duration:

• - Organizations:

- 2 Years: ¥4 million
- 3 Years: ¥6 million
(up to half of eligible project costs)

• - Individuals:

- 2 Years: ¥2 million
- 3 Years: ¥3 million
(up to half of eligible project costs)

Note: Grant amounts will be determined based on the overall program policies and budget so that totals may be lower than requested. Also, consumables below ¥1,000 will not be counted towards funding.

Additional Support:

Apart from the aforementioned grant amounts, applicants can also apply for creative environment support costs, with a maximum of ¥100,000 per year. Applicants will need to decide whether to apply for this additional support during the application process.

Application Process:

The application window opens from July 1, 2025, at 10:00 am, until July 30, 2025, at 6:00 pm. Interested parties can apply online, and an information session regarding the call for proposals will be held online (pre-registration required, limited capacity). Further details will be provided on the website as they become available.

Conclusion:

The Tokyo Arts Council is committed to fostering creative arts and boosting the cultural landscape of Tokyo as a leading global city for arts and culture. This new funding category represents a key component of their efforts to support artistic innovation and international cultural exchange.

Contact Information:

For inquiries regarding this program:
Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo
Activity Support Department, Grants Division
TEL: 03-6256-8431
E-mail: josei@artscouncil-tokyo.jp

For media inquiries:
Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo
Planning Department, Public Relations Division
TEL: 03-6256-8432
E-mail: press@artscouncil-tokyo.jp