The 1st Japan-China International Anime Film Festival, also known as JCIAFF (Japan-China International Animation Film Festival), officially launched on May 28 at とこrozawa Sakura Town (Tokorozawa Sakura Town) in Saitama Prefecture, with a red-carpet ceremony, an official opening, and a special talk show celebrating 20 years of the Voice Acting Award (声優アワード).

Festival Goals and Structure

The festival was established to promote cultural exchange in animation between Japan, China, and other countries, and to explore new forms of creative expression. It is organized by the Kadokawa Cultural Promotion Foundation (角川文化振興財団), with Miyata Ryohei (宮田亮平), former Director-General of the Agency for Cultural Affairs (22nd term) and former President of Tokyo University of the Arts (9th term), serving as Chairman.

The competition is divided into four categories: Long-form Animated Film, Short Animated Film, Short-Short Animated Film, and AI Animation. Over 400 entries were submitted from Japan, China, and other countries. The jury includes novelist Yumemakura Baku (夢枕獏), animation director Yuyama Kunihiko (湯山邦彦), screenwriter Yoshida Reiko (吉田玲子), and media artist Ochiai Yoichi (落合陽一), among others.

Schedule and Venues

The festival runs from May 28–31, 2026, across three venues in Tokorozawa: とこrozawa Sakura Town, Kadokawa Musashino Museum (角川武蔵野ミュージアム), and T·Joy Emiterasu Tokorozawa.

• May 29: Conference on the topic “CODA’s Anti-Piracy Measures and the Problem of AI-Generated Videos”
• May 30: Music concert “Sakura Live (サクライブ)” featuring Matsumoto Rika (松本梨香) and Precure Singers (プリキュアシンガーズ)
• At T·Joy Emiterasu Tokorozawa: screenings of award-nominated works and classic films including Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro and Galaxy Express 999

Opening Ceremony and Red Carpet

At the red-carpet ceremony, attendees included Chairman Miyata, Tokorozawa Mayor Onozuka Katsutoshi (小野塚勝俊), Kadokawa Foundation President Funatsuki Yasunori (船津康次), and festival ambassador Kamio Shinichiro (神尾晋一郎), along with the jury members.

The opening began with remarks by Kamio, followed by speeches from Chairman Miyata, Mayor Onozuka, Seibu Holdings President Goto Takashi (後藤高志), and Toei President Tada Noriyuki (多田憲之). All expressed hope that this festival would become a platform to spread new culture from Tokorozawa and deepen cultural ties between Japan and China.

20th Voice Acting Award Anniversary Talk Show

After the opening ceremony, a special talk show brought together veteran and new voice actors. Participants included ambassador Kamio Shinichiro, Nakawo Ryusei (中尾隆聖) — winner of the Toyama Kei Award (富山敬賞) at the 11th ceremony — Kanai Mika (かないみか) — winner of the Takahashi Kazue Award (高橋和枝賞) at the 13th ceremony — and five new-generation winners from the 20th ceremony: Takano Taiga (高野大河), Terasawa Momoko (寺沢百花), Nakayama Yoshinori (中山よしのり), Mikawa Kazuki (三川華月), and Murakami Manatsu (村上まなつ).

All five new recipients shared their feelings after receiving the award. Terasawa said she was surprised to receive a surprise party at the photoshoot venue and was deeply moved. Mikawa said she was overjoyed to walk the red carpet, something she never imagined she would get to experience. Murakami shared a heartwarming story about how after winning, she was taken to a sushi restaurant twice — both by her father and by the photoshoot staff.

On the topic of anime’s global expansion, Kamio noted that the biggest change is that anime is now streamed simultaneously around the world, bringing real-time messages from fans in different countries. Nakawo was delighted that the term “voice actor (声優)” is now recognized globally, saying it is very different from earlier times when he would introduce himself as a voice actor and people were still puzzled — and that he is glad the younger generation is increasingly drawn to this profession.

When asked “Was there anything different from what you imagined about being a voice actor?”, everyone answered “Yes.” Takano spoke about the fun and difficulty of performing in front of a microphone. Terasawa admitted that auditions were extremely hard, and when she asked Kanai for advice, Kanai jokingly replied that she herself rarely gets called for auditions because people already know who she is — making everyone laugh.

On the question “Do you have a way to recover when you’re feeling down?”, Murakami said no, because she has never felt down enough to need recovery. Nakayama said his method is “riding a motorcycle around Tokyo late at night.” Kamio added that his method is “convenient shopping at a convenience store,” which livened up the atmosphere considerably.

Closing the talk show, Kamio invited everyone to join the festival for all four days — especially to watch Chinese animation that has not previously been screened in Japan — and Nakawo ended on his signature line: “Bye bye, Keen! (バイバイキーン!)”

Event Information

• Event Name: 1st Japan-China International Anime Film Festival (第1回 日中国際アニメ映画祭 / JCIAFF)
• Dates: May 28–31, 2026
• Venues: Tokorozawa Sakura Town, 角川武蔵野ミュージアム (Kadokawa Musashino Museum), and T·Joy Emiterasu Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan

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Source: natalie