VIDEO MATSURI
STUDENT SHORT FILM CONTEST
Enter the Contest
Please read the entry guidelines, terms and conditions, copyright clearance, and submit your entry via the online form.
See also Video Making Tips, and Classroom Ideas.
Enter by midnight AEST, September 22, 2023
Enter by September 22, 2023
Eligibility
Individual participants or groups of participants fitting into one of the below divisions, and residing in Australia or New Zealand are invited to enter. Any participant 17 years or younger appearing in any entry must submit a completed parent/guardian consent form.
Divisions:
- Primary
- Junior Secondary (Year 7 – 10)
- Senior Secondary (Year 11 – 12)
- Tertiary
Entry length
Entries of up to three minutes in length are valid for entry.
Signature item
The signature item adds a little fun to the competition each year. The item should appear somewhere in the short film. It could appear somewhere as a prop, be mentioned verbally or in text on the screen, or somehow otherwise form part of the film.
The signature item for 2023 is toothpaste.
Number of Entries
There’s no limit on the number of entries.
Video Making Tips
Read the judges’ tips section for tips for your entry.
Entry submission format
Upload your video entry to your own channel on YouTube.
- Name of Video: Video Matsuri 2023: Video title – School name(State/Territory ).
<E.g.> Video Matsuri 2023: Severus Snape’s Weekend – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft (NSW) - The description: Include details about your entry and the ideas behind your video such as film inspiration or other background information in the description.
- Privacy settings : Must be Unlisted (This means the video cannot be searched for or viewed without this specific link).
- Tags: You don’t need to add any tags.
Once the Video is uploaded you will received a web link, and enter this link on the entry form.
See this simple video on how to upload YouTube videos.
Entry Permission
- Applicants under 18 years of age must have the form submitted on their behalf by a teacher, parent or guardian. Teachers may only complete the form on the condition that they have sought consent from the parent or guardian of any student appearing in the video.
- Schools may enter the contest as many times as they like.
- By completing the application form, you acknowledge that you have received consent from all visually identifiable people who appear in the video. In obtaining consent, identifiable people must be made aware that the video may be made available to the general public.
Subtitles
If your entry contains spoken Japanese, you must include subtitles in your entry. Check out our video on how to easily add subtitles to your YouTube video.
Copyright
Copyright breaches (e.g., using music or video in your entry that was not created by you, or that you do not have permission to use, etc.) will not be permitted. Evidence of copyright permission must be submitted with entry (if applicable).
Read more about copyright.
Understanding Copyright
Under Australian law, copyright material can be used for research or study purposes, as long as it is not used excessively. Licensed music is covered for this use in all government schools in Australia by an agreement with APRA (Australasian Performing Rights Association). However, this right does not extend to uploading videos to the internet. Videos that use copyright material without permission will not be accepted in any online video contest run by The Japan Foundation, Sydney. As such, we strongly encourage participants to use music from the Creative Commons, where music is available for public use.
All Entrants must also ensure there are no corporate logos shown during the video. This includes anyone wearing and/or displaying corporate logos. Entrants are advised to remove or obscure labels/brand names from any commercial products used in their videos. (School uniforms are exempt from this condition.)
The entrant retains copyright over their work, but by entering the Online Video Contest, the entrant grants permission to The Japan Foundation, Sydney to reproduce the video on any Japan Foundation websites and social media channels, to use the video for instructional purposes, and to screen entries for public viewing and promotional purposes. See our handy hints below for more information.
Using online content
You must have permission to use any online content you include in your video entry. Look for content that have creative commons licences. If you’re unsure, check out this video that provides details on the different ways content under creative commons licences can be used.
Music
All music and images used must be:
- Accompanied with the appropriate permissions and clearances.
Original, permitted or copyright-free.
Credited/acknowledged when filling out the registration form. - The entrant is responsible for ensuring that the film does not infringe the rights, including but not limited to, copyright or intellectual property etc. of another person, group or entity. The Japan Foundation, Sydney cannot provide any legal advice on copyright issues.
The internet provides as a huge resource bank of music and interesting sound effects which are free to use, sample, and remix. Some helpful sites are below:
Images
Images that you use for your entry needs to be original, or unrestricted for your use by copyright. Here’s a list of creative commons and royalty free sites:
- Flickr.com (search The Commons)
- gettyimages.com.au (Search Creative Commons)
- istockphoto.com
- FREEIMAGES
- Pixabay
