{"id":17149,"date":"2025-12-18T14:12:05","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T05:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shortshorts.org\/content\/?post_type=news_en&p=17149"},"modified":"2026-02-24T12:36:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T03:36:44","slug":"the-cyberagent-vertical-award","status":"publish","type":"news_en","link":"https:\/\/shortshorts.org\/content\/news_en\/creators\/the-cyberagent-vertical-award\/","title":{"rendered":"The CyberAgent Vertical Award
\u2014 Global Call for Entries
Submission Deadline: March 31"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)\u2014Asia\u2019s largest international short film festival and an Academy Award\u00ae-Qualifying Film Festival\u2014announces a global call for entries for the CyberAgent Vertical Award, to be presented at SSFF & ASIA 2026 in collaboration with CyberAgent, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo; President & CEO: Takahiro Yamauchi). Established in 2025, the CyberAgent Vertical Award was created to explore the creative potential of vertical-format short films and to serve as a hub for emerging forms of cinematic expression. The award recognizes works that demonstrate exceptional impact, expressive power, and innovation within the vertical format.<\/p>\n\n\n

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About the CyberAgent Vertical Award <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The award is open to creative works including short dramas, branded films, tourism videos, and other narrative-driven projects<\/strong> that push the boundaries of vertical video storytelling. Particular attention is given to works distinguished by strong creativity, clear messaging, and inventive visual language.<\/strong>
In its first year, five works were nominated, and CONECO FILM<\/strong> received the inaugural award. At the ceremony, filmmaker Shunji Iwai<\/strong>, who served as presenter, commented:
\u201cSeeing everyone\u2019s expressions makes me smile unintentionally. I\u2019ve become a real fan.\u201d<\/em>
His remarks highlighted both the cinematic qualities of the nominated works and the growing integration of vertical video into everyday visual culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding to a Global Stage in 2026 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For its second edition, the CyberAgent Vertical Award expands beyond Japan and officially opens submissions to creators worldwide. In addition to festival nominations, a public international call for entries <\/strong>will be held, with the goal of receiving the largest number of vertical-format submissions in SSFF & ASIA\u2019s history<\/strong>.
Selected works will be showcased both in Japan and internationally, further strengthening the presence of vertical short films within the global film community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SSFF & ASIA 2025 Award Ceremony Left\uff1aCyberAgent Tatsuya Ando Right\uff1aShunji Iwai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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2025 Award Winner CONECO FILMS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<About the CyberAgent Vertical Award\uff1e <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Awards & Prizes
\u30fbPrize Money: JPY 500,000
\u30fbSupplementary Prize: An experiential tour of Kiwami AI Odaiba Studio and the opportunity to produce a work using the studio\u2019s facilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About \u201cKiwami AI Odaiba Studio\u201d<\/strong>
Kiwami AI Odaiba Studio is CyberAgent\u2019s advanced creative production studio, specializing in AI-driven and 3DCG-based content creation. The facility features state-of-the-art LED walls, high-quality volumetric capture with 4D scanning, editing suites, recording rooms, and more\u2014providing creators with an environment optimized for next-generation visual production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u3008Comments\u3009<\/strong>
Shunji Iwai (Filmmaker) <\/strong>
\u201cVertical films have made remarkable progress in recent years, emerging as a new form of expression. I\u2019m very much looking forward to seeing which work will receive the CyberAgent Verical Award next time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatsuya Ando <\/strong>
General Manager, Creative Director, CyberAgent
\u201cIt is a great honor to present the CyberAgent Verical Award again in 2026 at this globally recognized festival. I look forward to encountering the bold and dynamic expressions of creators and performers working at the forefront of vertical short films.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u3008How to Apply for the CyberAgent Vertical Award\u3009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please submit your work via the dedicated application form for the CyberAgent Vertical Award<\/strong> at the URL here. https:\/\/app.lifelogbox.com\/festival\/shortshorts?tab=competition<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":17138,"parent":0,"template":"","e_news_cat":[550,548,641,549],"class_list":["post-17149","news_en","type-news_en","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","e_news_cat-creators","e_news_cat-event","e_news_cat-filmfestival","e_news_cat-project"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t