The CyberAgent Vertical Award
— Global Call for Entries
Submission Deadline: March 31
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA)—Asia’s largest international short film festival and an Academy Award®-Qualifying Film Festival—announces 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.
About the CyberAgent Vertical Award
The award is open to creative works including short dramas, branded films, tourism videos, and other narrative-driven projects that push the boundaries of vertical video storytelling. Particular attention is given to works distinguished by strong creativity, clear messaging, and inventive visual language.
In its first year, five works were nominated, and CONECO FILM received the inaugural award. At the ceremony, filmmaker Shunji Iwai, who served as presenter, commented:
“Seeing everyone’s expressions makes me smile unintentionally. I’ve become a real fan.”
His remarks highlighted both the cinematic qualities of the nominated works and the growing integration of vertical video into everyday visual culture.
Expanding to a Global Stage in 2026
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 will be held, with the goal of receiving the largest number of vertical-format submissions in SSFF & ASIA’s history.
Selected works will be showcased both in Japan and internationally, further strengthening the presence of vertical short films within the global film community.
<About the CyberAgent Vertical Award＞
Awards & Prizes
・Prize Money: JPY 500,000
・Supplementary Prize: An experiential tour of Kiwami AI Odaiba Studio and the opportunity to produce a work using the studio’s facilities
About “Kiwami AI Odaiba Studio”
Kiwami AI Odaiba Studio is CyberAgent’s 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—providing creators with an environment optimized for next-generation visual production.
〈Comments〉
Shunji Iwai (Filmmaker)
“Vertical films have made remarkable progress in recent years, emerging as a new form of expression. I’m very much looking forward to seeing which work will receive the CyberAgent Verical Award next time.”
Tatsuya Ando
General Manager, Creative Director, CyberAgent
“It 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.”
〈How to Apply for the CyberAgent Vertical Award〉
If you apply by Saturday, January 31, 2026
If you submit your work to any of the following SSFF & ASIA 2026 competition categories–
Live Action (International / Asia International / Japan), Non-Fiction, or Animation—
your film will automatically be considered for the CyberAgent Vertical Award.
- Application guidelines follow those of each competition category.
- In the application form, please answer the question:
“Does your film use any new technologies or involve innovative formats?
by selecting/indicating that your work includes a vertical format.
Application form: https://app.lifelogbox.com/festival/shortshorts?tab=competition
If you apply between Sunday, February 1 and Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Please submit your work via the dedicated application form for the CyberAgent Vertical Award at the URL here. https://app.lifelogbox.com/festival/shortshorts?tab=competition