Toho Animation and World Maker, a storyboarding app Shueisha developed, jointly hold a short film contest. The contest is open to anyone, regardless of age or experience. Participants must create a storyboard for a short film using the World Maker app. The grand prize winner will receive a 500,000-yen (about US$3,300) cash prize and their storyboards will be turned into a live-action short film by Toho.
Submission Guidelines for the Toho Animation and World Maker Short Film Contest
- Storyboards must be created using the World Maker app.
- Storyboards must be in Japanese or English.
- Storyboards must be for a short film between 5 and 10 minutes long.
- Submissions of derivative works are prohibited.
- Please refrain from submitting your submitted works to contests, etc. of other video production and distribution companies or services (excluding Shonen Jump+ and Toho Corporation).
- Works that have been commercially released during the screening period or works that are being submitted by other companies will not be considered. However, you can only apply for up to three contests at the same time within “World Maker”.
- You may use free materials or photos you have taken as long as they do not infringe on the rights of third parties. Also, when using free materials, please confirm that commercial use is possible before using them.
- If the submitted work is commercially published during the screening period, it will not be considered.
- The number of applications is limited to 5 works per account.
- Only the applicant can apply; applications on behalf of the applicant are prohibited.
Judging Criteria
- Originality
- Creativity
- Storytelling
- Visual impact
Submission Deadline
The application period starts from Wednesday, September 13, 2023 10:00-Sunday, and ends on November 12, 2023 23:59
The result announcement is scheduled for late December 2023. Only successful candidates will be notified of the selection results through the notification within the app. Passing works will be announced on note (final selection results will also be announced within the app).
Participation Cost
The participation fee is free (woohoo!). However, production costs for the submitted work and internet connection fees, communication charges, etc. incurred at the time of application are to be borne by the applicant.
Prizes
- Grand Prize: 500,000 yen (about US$3,300) cash prize and storyboards turned into a live-action short film by Toho
- Runner-up Prize: 300,000 yen (about US$2,000) cash prize
- Honorable Mention Prizes: 100,000 yen (about US$660) cash prize each
How to Submit
To submit your storyboard, please visit the Toho Animation x World Maker Short Film Contest website and follow the instructions.
◤￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣
#WorldMaker アプリ版
使い方紹介 Vol.01
＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿◢タップするだけで
漫画ネームがつくれる！まずは、背景＆効果の使い方を
簡単に紹介する動画をつくりましたので
ぜひチェックしてみてください🥚 pic.twitter.com/60NSas4Z5G— World Maker 公式 (@WorldMakerApp) August 9, 2023
Additional Information on the Toho Animation and World Maker Short Film Contest
- Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kong: Skull Island, a planned live-action Hollywood Gundam film) is one of the judges for the contest.
- The grand prize winner’s storyboards will be turned into a live-action short film by Toho in 2024.
- If any violation of the application rules is found, eligibility for the award may be revoked.
- The copyright of the submitted work belongs to the submitter. If the submitted work is published on the “Shonen Jump +” or “Toho Co., Ltd.” app or website, Toho will have the first priority in the visualization and commercialization of the work and will have the right to publish, publicly transmit, and secondarily. Shueisha shall have first priority over rights related to secondary uses (including rights stipulated in Articles 27 and 28 of the Copyright Act).
- You may be asked to make some changes to the winning work when it is posted on the Shonen Jump+ app and website.
- For the purpose of announcing and promoting this award, introducing past winners and award-winning works, and introducing the work, the winning work may include part of the work or your name (pen name) in “Shonen Jump +” and “Shonen Jump +” It may be published and used on websites, SNS, booklets, pamphlets, etc. created by “World Maker”.
- During the selection process, you may be contacted for confirmation.
- The organization is not liable to answer any questions regarding the selection process.
Conclusion
The Toho Animation and World Maker Short Film Contest is an excellent opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their talents and have their work turned into a live-action short film by Toho. The contest is open to anyone, regardless of age or experience, so there is no reason not to participate.