Competition Overview

Competition Theme

Dialogue

Since the beginning of this century—and especially after the global COVID-19 pandemic—our modes of communication, the technologies we rely on, and the distances between us have undergone significant change. As technological development accelerates and the world becomes more diverse and complex, “dialogue” has become an increasingly important theme. Dialogue can take many forms: between people, between cities and nature, between the past and the future, between humanity and AI or other living beings, and even within oneself. It is an expressive encounter where different entities meet, influence each other, and create meaning together.

As we look toward the future, what kinds of dialogue will be necessary, and what kind of future can be envisioned through them? Beyond spoken language, dialogue can emerge through confronting unfamiliar elements, accepting differences, creating intersections, and shaping relationships. We invite you to expand this idea into a dialogue between your work and the viewers, and to explore new possibilities through your creation.

Schedule

*Schedules are subject to change depending on the venue and event.

Projection mapping venue and building size

The image shows a scene from "TOKYO Night & Light" held at the same venue.

How to apply

Preliminary Screening Video Requirements

Final Video Submission (For Finalists and Those Requesting Recording)

About Production Templates

Please use the “1minutePM2026_Contents_Area” composition in the provided After Effects template as the main composition for creating your work. 

Please submit the video exported using the “Projection_Preview” composition in the provided After Effects template for the preliminary screening. 

Please submit your video with the entry number visible. To insert the entry number, use the “Entry_Number” composition in the provided After Effects template. 

* The production template data will be provided by the competition office to those who complete the entry.
(*Secondary use—such as forwarding, reproducing, or sharing the distributed materials with others—is strictly prohibited.)
*Rough cuts, still images, storyboards, or other unfinished materials may not be accepted for the preliminary screening.
Please also review all other terms and conditions before submitting your entry.

Click here for an explanation of the production template (JP)

Guide to the Production Templates (EN)

Number of Works to Be Screened

Submission Materials & Application Requirements

Awards and Prizes

※ Finalists will receive travel support for one person to attend the event (2 nights / 3 days, with an upper limit on expenses).

Important Notes for Applicants

Please read the following carefully before applying. Entries that do not comply with these notes may not be accepted as valid submissions.

1. Submissions will not be accepted for judging in the following cases:
   -The content does not correspond to the required production format (e.g., the video is not designed for projection mapping).
   -The data is corrupted or the video cannot be played back properly.
   -Works that may significantly distress or offend viewers, including content with excessive or aggressive stimulation, sexual expressions, strong religious themes, or political messages.
   -Works that do not meet the required duration (1:00–1:59), either shorter than the minimum or exceeding the maximum length.
   
2. The applicant must guarantee that the submitted work does not infringe on the intellectual property rights or proprietary rights of any third party. In the event of a claim or dispute from a third party due to infringement, the applicant shall be solely responsible for the financial burden of resolving the dispute (including legal fees) and compensation for damages, and shall indemnify the organizers of this project from any and all liability.
   
3. All materials used in the submitted work, such as photographs, videos, music, sound effects, etc., must be in the possession and control of the applicant's own copyright.
   
4. The organizer/planner will not be responsible for any problems or claims of copyright infringement. If a work is found to have infringed on any rights, it will be disqualified from participating in the competition, and if the infringement is discovered after the work has won an award, the award will be revoked and the prize money and extra prizes will be returned.
   
5. Please ensure that your work is appropriate for general audiences. The screening venue will host viewers of all ages—from children to the elderly—so your content should reflect sound judgment and consideration.
   
6. Applicants are prohibited from publishing videos, on-site recordings, etc. on the web, social networking sites, or other places where third parties can view them without permission before the results of the judging of this competition are announced. (To ensure the fairness of the judging process). However, videos and information that are made available to the public by the organizer/planner may be shared. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from participation in the competition.
   
7. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or publication of the distributed template data for production is prohibited.
   
8. Any other comments or social networking posts that may affect the judging or the competition will disqualify the contestants from participating in the competition.
   
9. The personal information you provide will be managed by the Projection Mapping Association of Japan (the “Association”), the International Projection Mapping Award Tokyo Executive Committee, and JTB Communication Design, Inc., the contractor for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026. Your information may be used to provide notifications regarding related events or other projects held at the same venue.

Other Notes on Copyright and Usage Rights

1. Copyrights (including the rights stipulated in Articles 27 and 28 of the Copyright Law) to the images and sound data of the submitted works shall belong to their creators and production groups. However, upon screening, the Projection Mapping Association of Japan (hereinafter referred to as "the Association") may adjust the images (brightness, contrast, color tone, volume adjustment, etc.) to conditions suitable for screening under its management responsibility, but the author shall not exercise moral rights against such actions.
2. The video data submitted to the competition will be managed by the Association, and the organizing committee, co-organizers, and the Association shall retain perpetual usage rights. Submitted works may be screened after this competition as part of TOKYO NIGHT & LIGHT at the same venue, as well as at related events, demonstrations, and other projects.
3. he Association, the organizing committee, and the co-organizers may record video and photographs of this project.
4. The Association, as well as the organizers, co-organizers, and executive committee of the international competition, may use recorded images and videos of the projection mapping presented at the venue for the development and sale of various goods and products.
5. The copyrights (including the rights under Article 27 and 28 of the Copyright Act) for photographs and videos of records taken on the part of the organizer, co-organizer, or planner are owned by the person who recorded or photographed them.
6. Images and other materials provided by applicants may be used by the Association, the organizing committee, co-organizers, and competition sponsors for publicity, reporting, and for introducing projection mapping or related events associated with this project.
7. By submitting the entry form, applicants are deemed to have agreed to all of the above and agree not to exercise any copyright or moral rights.

*For other FAQs, please click here.

Contact Us