Niigata Animation Camp
Niigata Animation Camp is a next-generation development program for young directors, producers, other professionals, and students in the Asian region who are involved in (or studying) animation.
Participants in this program will be provided with travel expenses from their place of residence to Niigata, as well as accommodation with breakfast. Through participation in the film festival program, it aims to foster the next generation from a long-term perspective by providing a rare and luxurious opportunity to watch animated films, build international relationships with peers, and attend daily master classes by world-renowned professionals, and critics participating in the festival.
For the 4th edition, two courses are offered: the "NIAFF Networking Course," which focuses on film festival participation and interaction with guests, and the "Animation Production Workshop Course," which is for animation creators and focuses on short-term production and instruction.
Course Outlines
i. Animation Production Workshop Course
Overview
This course is for creators who have just started their professional careers. They will create a short animated film segment under intensive, collaborative guidance. During the on-site workshop during the festival period, participants will be able to use the facilities and software of Kaishi Professional University's Animation and Manga Department (high-performance desktop PCs, Adobe Creative Cloud, Maya, Cinema 4D, etc.).
Schedule
2 days online + 10 days on-site workshop. After preparation through two pre-workshop online meetings, intensive on-site/in-person production will take place during and immediately after the film festival. Participants must attend all online and in-person workshops (The content and schedule of the workshop are subject to change).
| Briefing & Concept | ||
| Phase 1 | 10 January 2026 | Briefing: The project theme, materials and instructions will be provided to the participants. The objective of the workshop is to produce a short animated film composed of 30-second segments. |
| 07 February 2026 | WiP/Feedback: All participating groups will be required to attend a 20-minute online presentation and discussion | |
| Development | ||
| Phase 2 | NIAFF Opening 20 Feb : Friday |
NIAFF opening ceremony Casual greeting session |
| Day 1 - 21 Feb | AM : Masterclass by Chris Shaw Workshop Introduction and orientation, Pitch presentation Producer, director, creators - roles and plans PM : NIAFF |
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| Day 2 - 22 Feb : Sun | AM : Masterclass by (e.g.Jury Member 1) PM : Chris Workshop: Introduction to Creation |
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| Day 3 -4 23&24 Feb |
AM : Masterclass (e.g.Jury members) PM : Chris Workshop: team building and workshop |
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| Day 5 - 25 Feb : Final Day of NIAFF | NIAFF Closing ceremony (GrandPrix) from 16:00 Presentation of the workshop and the WIP Evening - casual reception |
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| Intensive Production | ||
| Phase 3 | Day 6 - Day 9 26 Feb - 1 Mar |
Intensive Production: 10am - 6pm |
| Day 10 - 2 Mar | Final Day - 3pm : Submission of 30-second clip 5pm : Screening of the final movie |
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| Day 11 - 3 Mar | Departure to the Home Country | |
*Workshop content and schedule are subject to change.
Instructor
Professor Chris Shaw (LASALLE College of the Arts)
Eligibility
Those who can take the workshop in English. Minimum 1 year of animation study/maximum 3 years post-graduation. Must have animation production experience.
Capacity
10 residents of Japan, East, and Southeast Asia (anyl nationalities welcome).
*Applicants are eligible regardless of nationality as long as their place of residence during the film festival is in Japan or Asia.
ii. NIAFF Networking Course
Overview
Participation in a total of four master classes held during the film festival, free admission in programs and forum, and interaction with guests.
Schedule
6 days/6 nights, from February 20 (Fri) to 25 (Wed), 2026. The schedule for the film festival program and master classes will be announced later.
Capacity
10 residents of Japan + 10 residents of East/Southeast Asia (anyl nationalities welcome).
*Applicants are eligible regardless of nationality as long as their place of residence during the film festival is in Japan or Asia.
Eligibility
Individuals aged 18-29 who aspire to work in the animation industry in the future (past participants are not eligible to apply).
*Those who have participated in the past are not eligible to apply.
Benefits for Participants (Common to both courses)
- Travel expenses (up to 30,000 JPY domestic / up to 100,000 JPY for Asia)*
- Accommodation with breakfast (Niigata City Art Creation Village Yui Port)
- NIAFF Pass (Free admission/participation in all films, events, forums, and master classes)
*Regarding domestic travel expenses, the actual cost of round-trip shinkansen fare (excluding special fares) from the place of residence to Niigata City will be paid up to a maximum of 30,000 JPY. Regarding international travel expenses, the actual cost of round-trip economy class fare from the country of residence to Haneda Airport, and the shinkansen fare (excluding special fares) from Tokyo to Niigata City will be paid up to a maximum of 100,000 JPY. Participants must arrange their own transportation to the venue, and the subsidy will be provided by the film festival later upon submission of receipts.How to Apply / Application Fee.
How to Apply / Application Fee
Please fill out the application form and submit your application. Overlapping applications for both i and ii are possible.
Application Fee: Free
Application Period: Monday, December 8, 2025, to Monday, December 22, 2025, 23:59 (Japan time)
Applicants will be notified of the selection results via email by:
i. Animation Production Workshop Course: Friday, December 26, 2025
ii. NIAFF Networking Course: Tuesday, January 6, 2026