Production Guidelines

This festival is for films made with generative AI as the primary production method. Films that use AI only for editing assistance or minor corrections may not fit the festival's purpose.

There is no limit on the type or number of AI tools you use. A single tool you picked up yesterday is fine. Please describe which AI you used and how in your film's information on FilmFreeway (description and question fields).

Combining AI-generated and live-action footage is permitted. Films that composite live action onto AI-generated imagery, or process live-action footage with AI, are welcome.

Any language may be used in your film. Beyond Japanese and English, we accept any form of linguistic expression, including fictional, constructed, or non-existent languages (films not in Japanese, or with unnatural Japanese, must include Japanese subtitles).

• Films that use AI only for "invisible corrections" such as denoising or upscaling may not be recognized as AI films for the purposes of this festival.
• Check the terms of service of the AI tools you use (commercial use, rights to generated output, etc.) yourself before entering. Take care with tools whose terms restrict use in films or public streaming.

Entrants must use generative AI in compliance with Japan's Copyright Act, the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, and other applicable laws. "Made with AI" is not a license for anything goes.

Please also keep in mind the spirit of the AI Guidelines for Business issued by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: human-centered, safe, transparent, and explainable. There's no need to overthink it, but make a habit of pausing whenever you wonder, "Is this okay?"

Reference links (all external sites, in Japanese)

• Agency for Cultural Affairs: "General Understanding on AI and Copyright in Japan"
• Agency for Cultural Affairs: "Checklist & Guidance on AI and Copyright" (PDF)
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: "AI Guidelines for Business"
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: "Guidebook on the Use of Generative AI for Content Production" (PDF)

Entries must be original and must not use third-party copyrighted works, trademarks, characters, or similar without permission. Even with AI-generated material, uses that substantially imitate or reproduce existing works may constitute copyright infringement. Please respect the position set out by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and take care not to unfairly harm the interests of rights holders affected by AI training and generation.

Please confirm and complete the following rights clearances yourself before entering.

• Copyright in video, still images, scripts, artwork, and so on
• Copyright and master rights in any music and sound effects used (in addition to the venue screening, this festival plans to stream online via YouTube and similar platforms; make sure your license covers streaming, e.g. YouTube Audio Library, CC0, or properly licensed material)
• Portrait and publicity rights where performers appear
• Filming and usage permissions where real facilities, buildings, exhibits, and so on are filmed and used
• Trademark and copyright considerations where corporate logos, brand names, product names, and so on are used
• Prompts that imitate a specific artist, illustrator, or similar by name (we strongly recommend avoiding these from a rights-infringement standpoint)
• Issues relating to the training data of the AI tools you use (subject to each tool provider's policies; the organizer accepts no responsibility for problems arising from them)

All rights clearance is the sole responsibility of the entrant. By entering, you warrant that your film does not infringe the rights of any third party and does not violate these guidelines. If a rights infringement or other issue comes to light after screening or streaming, the organizer may suspend publication of or remove the film in question.

Copyright in your film remains with you, the entrant. The organizer does not acquire any rights.

However, by entering, you are deemed to have granted the organizer permission to use and publish your film for the following purposes.

• Screening on the venue screen (Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater hitaru) on the festival day (Final Selection films)
• Screening at Sapporo Cultural Arts Community Center SCARTS (Court and Studio A / B) on the festival day (Second Selection films)
• Online release of award-winning films after the festival (broadcast and archive publication on the official YouTube channel and other streaming platforms, including the early screening for crowdfunding supporters)
• Use in festival publicity before and after the event (social media, the official website, promotional videos, press materials, etc.)
• Adding the festival logo and credits to the film
• Partial excerpts and edits for publicity and promotional purposes
• Other uses reasonably deemed necessary for the operation of the festival

In these uses, the substance of the film will not be altered. The creator's name (a handle is fine) will be credited wherever possible.

Using a real individual's facial photographs, voice, social media posts, or similar as AI training or generation material without their consent is prohibited. It may constitute a violation of privacy or portrait rights.

If you enter a film containing a "deepfake" that synthesizes the face or voice of a real person with AI, obtain that person's explicit consent and clearly state in the end credits or elsewhere that the film contains AI-synthesized depictions.

When depicting politicians, public figures, or deceased persons, expression that disregards their honor or dignity is not permitted.

Entrants who are minors must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian before entering.

All films entered in this festival must be suitable for all ages. Create your film on the assumption that a broad audience, including children, will watch it. Films containing any of the following may not be entered.

• Content unsuitable for all-ages screening, such as sexual content, excessive violence, cruelty, or gore, or excessive horror
• Content that violates the law, or that incites or encourages crime
• Discrimination, hate speech, or incitement to violence
• Expression intended to deliberately spread false information
• Child pornography, revenge pornography, or other serious human rights violations
• Expression that uncritically amplifies stereotypes relating to gender, race, origin, disability, and so on
• Other content that offends public order and morals and is unfit for public screening

These prohibitions apply even to AI-generated material. The use of generative AI never justifies illegal or improper content.

List the AI tools you used in your film's information on FilmFreeway. Detailed descriptions of which tools you used and how will help in the judging (and we as organizers love learning about new ways of working).

If the organizer suspects a rights infringement or a violation of these guidelines, we may request additional explanation or supporting materials. Refusing to provide an explanation without good reason may result in exclusion from the selection.

• If the organizer determines that a film seriously violates these guidelines, we may take measures such as exclusion from the selection, cancellation of the screening, or revocation of an award, even after the entry has been accepted. In such cases, we will notify the entrant of the reasons to the extent possible.
• If the number of entries greatly exceeds expectations, the organizer may adjust the screening slots or screening method at its discretion.
• Replacing a film after entry may be permitted at the organizer's discretion.
• Final decisions on the interpretation and application of these guidelines rest with the organizer. If anything is unclear, feel free to ask us on Discord before you enter.
• Screenings and streaming may be interrupted, or their content or schedule changed, due to technical problems, network conditions, venue facilities, or similar circumstances. Thank you for your understanding.