Damah International Film Festival

Your Story Matters

2025 Festival Information

Damah looks to create unique events that foster a true sense of community. Our past events have featured Panel Discussions, Workshops, Interactive Screenings and Q & A sessions, all designed to stimulate discussion and provide a platform for artistic expression.

We feature films from any genre and they can be submitted in any acquisition format. The main requirement is that films must be no longer than 30 minutes.

Damah International Film Festival proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world’s #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contest. Stay tuned for 2025 submissions!

Awards & Prizes

Grand Prize Under 30 minutes ¥150,000 (incl. taxes)
Grand Prize Under 15 minutes ¥150,000 (incl. taxes)
Hope Award Under 5 minutes ¥150,000 (incl. taxes)*

Anime Award**

Anime Award

Young Creator Award (high school and under)**

Hope Award

Our Hope Award honors cinematic works that embody the essence of resilience in the face of adversity, courage in times of uncertainty, and the unwavering belief in the transformative power of hope. Whether through inspiring narratives, uplifting characters, or poignant storytelling, these films offer a ray of hope that transcends borders, cultures, and languages. To be eligible for the Hope Award the film is required to be under 5 minutes in length.

Rules and Terms

Please read all rules and requirements before submitting your project:

All non-English films must include English subtitles.
All films must be under 30 minutes.
As a community we value storytellers that are able to tell complex and beautiful stories without resorting to explicit nudity and violence, especially when it is used for shock value and not as an integral and essential part of the story.
Please submit all film submissions (vimeo screener preferred) on FilmFreeway.
By submitting your film, you agree that Damah International Film Festival (DIFF) can use parts or all of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster on our website in print, or electronic media, etc.) for promotional purposes.
To submit a film, you must have created the project yourself, own the rights or have permission from the owner of the content.
You agree to indemnify us and hold us and our employees, owners, affiliates, and partners harmless from all claims and liability associated with your participation or entry to DIFF.
All fees are non-refundable.
Once selected, the screening cannot be cancelled.
DIFF reserves the right to refuse to accept any submission deemed by the Festival to be inappropriate.
After the preliminary selection, the international jury’s decisions are final.
The festival dates and location are subject to change.
In order for your film to be considered for competition, it must not be available to the public online.
All international films MUST have Japanese subtitles, if in another language. DIFF will supply non-Japanese films with a complimentary SRT file for adding Japanese subtitles to the film. Filmmakers will be required to add the SRT file to their film for festival screening.
Terms and conditions are subject to change. Any amendments will be posted on our website.