Entries Now Open for the 7th “TYO Student Movie Awards”! Calling for 60-second short films on the theme of “Lies” — Special Judges Tetsuya Bessho and Yuka Itaya to Participate —

TYO Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroshi Hayafune; hereinafter “TYO”) has decided to hold the 7th “TYO Student Movie Awards” for students and will begin accepting entries on Friday, October 2, 2026.

This award is a short film contest for students organized by TYO—a company with a proven track record and expertise in producing a wide variety of content, primarily television commercials and web videos, and which has nurtured numerous directors for commercials and films—out of a desire to discover and cultivate the next generation of talent and contribute to the development of the video industry as a whole. Over the past six editions, the contest has received numerous creative entries that showcased the sharp sensibilities unique to students, with ideas and expressions freely inspired by the given themes.

For this seventh edition, we are calling for 60-second short films on the theme of “Lies.” The special judge is Tetsuya Bessho, an actor who has been involved since the first edition and is active across film, television, theater, and radio; he also serves as the representative of “Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia,” Japan’s first international short film festival. Joining the panel for the first time is actress Yuka Itaya, who wishes to support students in taking on new challenges, and will participate as a “professional in both fiction and nonfiction.” Joining the jury is Ryotaro Nishi, who won the Gold Prize at the first “TYO Student Movie Award” while a student at Saga University and is now active as a commercial director at TYO. Together with a team of directors and creators who have helmed numerous commercials and films, they will select the winning entries, and the final results will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held in March 2027.

7th Annual “TYO Student Movie Awards” Call for Entries

■ Submission Categories and Themes
A 60-second short film inspired by the theme “Lies” (1 person or 1 group, 1 entry)

■Application Period
Entry Period: Friday, October 2, 2026 – Wednesday, December 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Submission Period: Thursday, December 17, 2026 – Wednesday, January 20, 2027, 5:00 p.m.
Announcement of Final Nominees: Tuesday, March 2, 2027
Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, March 17, 2027

■Special Jury Members
Tetsuya Bessho (Actor / Representative of the “Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia”)
Yuka Itaya (Actor)

■Judges (in alphabetical order)
Erika Konno (CM Director, TYO WHOAREYOU )
Wataru Sato (CM Director, TYO WHOAREYOU )
Ryotaro Nishi (CM Director, TYO WHOAREYOU )
Hiroshi Hayafune (President and CEO, TYO Inc.)
Kazuhiro Matsui (Director, VP of Creative, Creative Director, and Copywriter, FIELD MANAGEMENT EXPAND Inc.)

■Eligibility Requirements
Students currently enrolled in vocational schools, junior colleges, universities, or graduate schools in Japan who are 18 years of age or older as of 2026.
*High school students are not eligible.

■ Total Prize Money: 2 million yen
Gold Prize (1 winner): 1 million yen
Silver Prize (1 winner): 500,000 yen
Bronze Prize (2 winners): 200,000 yen each
Judges’ Special Award (1 winner): 100,000 yen

■Official Website　https://tyo-gama.jp/
■Official X　https://twitter.com/tyo_gama
■Official Instagram　https://www.instagram.com/tyo_gama/

■Organizer
TYO Inc.

■In Collaboration With
Digital Scape Inc.

[Contact Information for Inquiries Regarding This Matter]
TYO Student Movie Awards Administrative Office　　info@tyo-gama.jp