Now in its twelfth year, JSFF continues its mission to identify and support new cinematic voices, bridging the cultural narratives of Japan and Serbia through curated film screenings, forums, and collaborative programming. Known for its accessible platform and commitment to thematic integrity, JSFF maintains a unique position as a bi-national cultural event that fosters storytelling innovation, not just technical advancement.

2025 THEME: “THE NEXT”

This year’s theme, “THE NEXT”, serves as an open framework for filmmakers to explore ideas about transition, innovation, and cultural foresight. The theme reflects:

• Narrative shifts, such as movements similar to the French New Wave or Serbia’s Black Wave.

• Trend waves, questioning evolving genres, aesthetics, and storytelling conventions.

• Signal waves, as metaphors for frequency, transmission, and long-distance cultural dialogue.

The festival invites submissions that experiment with form, push genre boundaries, and articulate new visions for the future — whether social, psychological, political, or artistic.

CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY

JSFF accepts entries in the following categories:

JSFF FEATURE FILMS

• Best Japanese Film

• Best Serbian Film (One overall winner will be selected by the jury.)

JSFF SHORTS

• Best Short Film

• Best Japanese Short (Serbian Jury Award)

• Best Serbian Short (Japanese Jury Award)

NIKOLA STOJANOVIC LEGACY AWARDPresented to the creator or work that demonstrates outstanding vision or critical depth in cinematic language.

Eligibility:

• Open to Japanese or Serbian productions or co-productions

• All genres are welcome

• Films completed after January 1st, 2024

• English subtitles required

• Submissions are free of charge

Deadline for submissions: September 15, 2025

Submission are available on: FILMFREEWAY portal SUBMIT HERE

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