The 28th Kyoto International Student Film & Video Festival (KISFVF) took place from February 20th to 23rd, 2026. The venue was the Film Theatre within the Museum of Kyoto in Sanjo-Takakura, a location well-known for hosting various cultural exhibitions. This report highlights the talk shows featuring selected directors and provides insights gained from interviews with the Executive Committee.

What is the Kyoto International Student Film & Video Festival?

The Kyoto International Student Film & Video Festival is Japan’s largest international student film festival. Organized by the Consortium of Universities in Kyoto, it is planned and managed by university students from Kyoto and other cities in the Kansai region as the festival’s executive committee members. The festival gathers independent films produced by students from around the world, discovers the talent that will lead the future of cinema, and promotes the appeal of student films.

Historically, Kyoto is a “film city” that still carries on the cultural legacy of the early days of Japanese cinema, and it is also a “university town and student town” where students account for 10% of the population of Kyoto City. The Kyoto International Student Film Festival aims to introduce student films from around the world, which hold a lot of potential, provide opportunities
for international exchange and mutual understanding, and contribute to the revitalization of Kyoto and the region through collaborative activities.

See more: https://www.kisfvf.com/about/

Kyoto in Winter: A City Immersed in Cinema

This year, a pre-event titled “Shoji” (Life and Death) was held at Kiyomizu-dera Temple to generate momentum for the festival. Various other events were also organized leading up to the main festival in February to heighten public anticipation. From autumn through winter, Kyoto becomes thoroughly immersed in film culture, particularly in conjunction with other events such as the “Kyoto Historica International Film Festival”. We, KYOTO CMEX, supports both events as a partner, ensuring their successful execution.

See our event report: https://cmex.kyoto/en/2026/01/21/55526/

Selected Works and Screenings

KISFVF receives submissions from across the globe annually. For this 28th edition, a total of 825 films (192 domestic and 633 international) were submitted. Following a rigorous screening process by the Executive Committee, 16 works from China, France, Germany, South Korea, the UK, and Japan were selected for screening. These films were divided into thematic programs and showcased throughout the festival period.

The selection process is primarily conducted by student members of the Executive Committee, who prioritize the unique sensibilities of youth. Beyond technical proficiency, the depth of the screenplay and the perspective on social issues are significant evaluation criteria. With an acceptance rate of nearly 1 in 50, it is a highly competitive “narrow gate”; however, observing the screenings firsthand made it clear why these 16 works were chosen.

Program A

Program B

Program C

Program D

Behind the Scenes: Director Talk Shows

During the event, Program B was followed by an insightful talk show featuring the directors. Each of the four programs is assigned a specific theme; Program B’s theme was “Sorezore-no-ikikata (individual ways of living). One of the highlights of KISFVF is the opportunity to reflect on these themes while engaging with the works.

Following the screening, directors Yuki Sato (Kuna-manobu) and Taiyo Yoshizawa (Paradox) took the stage. Both directors produced their selected works as graduation projects. The talk show covered a wide range of topics, from plot development and character backstories to personal anecdotes, providing clarity on questions that arose during the viewing.

One director mentioned having considered abandoning filmmaking to seek conventional employment, but the selection for KISFVF renewed their desire to pursue a cinematic career. It was evident that for both, filmmaking itself constitutes their “ways of living,” demonstrating a profound alignment with the program theme. The session concluded with a Q&A, offering a rich and immersive experience alongside the screenings.

Join the KISFVF Executive Committee: Build Skills and Networks

Organizing such a large-scale festival requires extensive collaboration. The student-led Executive Committee works year-round to manage the main event and related projects.

Members gain direct exposure to a vast array of films and work toward the goal of producing a major public event—an experience that offers growth beyond typical extracurricular activities. The Executive Committee provided invaluable assistance in the creation of this report.

Recruitment activities for the 2026 academic year are currently being planned. The committee primarily operates out of Campus Plaza Kyoto (a facility of the Consortium of Universities in Kyoto). Given that the festival is hosted by the Consortium, students can participate in a secure and professional environment.

Whether you are a film enthusiast or looking a circle activity in university, why not join the KISFVF Executive Committee? For more details, click here.

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