Hokkaido International Film Festival is a new film festival founded by former producers and secretariat staff of one of the oldest film festivals in Japan, with the cooperation of renowned programming directors and filmmakers.

In 2023, the predecessor film festival was held as a test marketing event, traveling to Horokanai, Mori, and Betsukai.

After reaffirming the positive power of the film festival through the verification of the issues it faced, the festival will be launched in 2024 with a new name and expanded scale.

After the Corona Disaster, the significance of the existence of film festivals has been questioned in light of social initiatives for the SDGs, changes in awareness of compliance and harassment, and the spread of online film viewing.

Hokkaido International Film Festival, which tours each region to screen international competition and opening and closing films, and the Regional Film Festivals (such as Esashi Film Festival), which screen unique films that match the culture and characteristics of each region, will co-host the festival in a new, sustainable style.

We will pursue the original value of the film festival to contribute to the revitalization of the region and the film industry, placing the highest priority on the enjoyment of films by local residents.

We hope that you will understand and support the main purpose of the festival, and we look forward to your cooperation.

February 11, 2024
Hokkaido International Film Festival Executive Committee

Date and Venue (planned)

Date	Venue
August 23 – August 25, 2024	Esashi Cultural Hall
August 30 – September 1, 2024	Morimachi Community Center
September 6 – 8, 2024	Kutchan Community Center
September 21 – 23, 2024	Nayoro Civic Cultural Center
September 27 – 29, 2024	Betsukai Lifelong Learning Center
October 12 – 14, 2024	Monbetsu Civic Hall
October 18 – 20, 2024	Taiki Lifelong Learning Center

Competition

Categories	Regulations
Best International Short Film Award	Under 30 min
Best International Medium Length Film Award	Over 30 min, but under 60 min
Best International Feature Film Award	Over 60 min

Number of Submissions

From February 15 to April 30, 2024;