The 18th Kyoto Filmmakers Lab will be held in December 2025. This program, part of the Kyoto Historica International Film Festival (KHIFF)‘s talent development initiative, brings together young filmmakers from Japan and abroad. Under the guidance and support of leading directors and filmmakers, participants produce short period dramas at Kyoto’s film studios and engage with industry professionals.

We are currently accepting applications for two courses: the “Hands-On Period Drama,” where participants produce short period dramas at Toei Kyoto Studio and Shochiku Studios; and the “Masters Session,” which has been popular since 2015 for its collaboration with the Tokyo International Film Festival, featuring symposiums with invited TIFF jurors and stage combat workshops. Interested parties are encouraged to apply.

For details, please visit here.

※ The application deadline for the “Kyoto Filmmakers Lab” is Monday, October 27. Those wishing to participate should apply as soon as possible.

＜Program Details＞

■ Hands-On Period Drama

Twenty young filmmakers selected through application and screening will produce approximately 3-minute short period dramas using the open sets at Toei Kyoto Studio and Shochiku Studio. They will utilize the same facilities and props as feature films—period sets, art direction, lighting, costumes—to experience the production of authentic traditional Kyoto period dramas.

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■Masters Session

This lecture program brings together key figures in the film business to discuss the future of cinema and share insights. Specifically, it features lectures by jury members visiting Japan for the Tokyo International Film Festival and lectures by instructors from the Biennale College Cinema, a program run by the Venice Biennale’s film section to nurture new filmmakers. Additionally, the sword fighting workshop by Toei Kenka is one of the popular courses.

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About the Event

Kyoto Filmmakers Lab is the young talent development program of the Kyoto Historica International Film Festival (KHIFF). It is a workshop where young talents involved in film production from Japan and abroad gather. Under the guidance and support of top directors and filmmakers, participants experience the actual production of a period drama short film at Kyoto’s film studios, which still carry on the rich history of period drama production, and network with film industry professionals. Now in its 17th year, the Kyoto Filmmakers Lab has received 2,220 applications from 113 countries worldwide. To date, 498 young filmmakers from 51 countries have participated, collaborating across cultural and customary boundaries. 　Additionally, the lecture program “Masters Session,” co-hosted with the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Biennale College Cinema (*1), diverse guests from Japan and abroad have provided concrete hints for stepping up their careers. Topics included the talents the world seeks and approaches to each film festival. Participants spurred each other on, continuing their exchanges even after the workshop ended and collaborating on various works and projects.
While the situation surrounding the spread of the novel coronavirus remains unpredictable this year, we are making adjustments to ensure a rich program while prioritizing safety. We look forward to receiving many applications from you.
*1 The Biennale College Cinema is a program run by the Venice Biennale to nurture emerging filmmakers through small-scale productions. Feature films and VR projects produced here are scheduled for world premiere screenings at the following year’s Venice International Film Festival. The Masters Session teaches how to submit applications for the Biennale College Cinema program.

Event Overview

Organizer
Kyoto Historica International Film Festival Executive Committee
[Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Museum of Culture, Toei Kyoto Studio, Shochiku Studios, Toei Kyoto Studio, Ganemoto Metal Co., Ltd., Directors’ Univ., Ritsumeikan University, Skeleton Crew Studio Co., Ltd., Kyoto Historica General Incorporated Association]

Co-Organizer
The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival Executive Committee, Italian Cultural Institute – Osaka, KYOTO Cross Media Experience Executive Committee

Supported by
Kyoto Cross Media Promotion Strategy Base

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