The AnimeJapan Executive Committee is calling for entries for the second iteration of its New Creator Awards. Beginning October 1, students enrolled in Japanese educational institutions may submit short films, provided they run for 15 minutes or less. The submission period closes on February 6, 2027, with the final winners set to be honored during the public days of AnimeJapan 2027 on March 27 or 28.
Judging will be handled by a committee representing 23 industry organizations. Beyond the one million yen Grand Prix and the Crunchyroll-sponsored scholarship, the competition offers 300,000 yen prizes for excellence in direction, character design, art, and technical application. The AnimeJapan Special Award winner will also secure exhibition opportunities at various conventions and a professional seminar for their home institution. Winning films are slated for distribution on domestic and international streaming services.
This cycle coincides with a major logistical change for the event, which will relocate to the Intex Osaka convention center for 2027 and 2028. This departure from the traditional Tokyo Big Sight venue follows a record-breaking 2026 event that drew 156,000 attendees.
Why it matters: The shift to Osaka is a departure from the event's long-standing history in Tokyo. While the move aims to expand the event's footprint, it remains to be seen how the change in venue will affect accessibility for the international industry professionals who typically attend the business days.
