Animation Artist in Residence Tokyo (A-AIR) 2016 program is now accepting entries, inviting new talents from all over the world.
Organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Bunka-cho) and run by the Japan Image Council since 2010, this project aims to provide three outstanding young animation artists with an opportunity to come to Tokyo and create new works while directly interacting with Japanese animation culture.
Applicants’ eligibility includes, being between the ages of 20 and 35 as of the deadline, and having had one of their animated works screened at an international film festival, exhibition or similar event.
A selection committee composed of experts in this field will make two rounds of selections (the first based on applications, the second based on interviews conducted via the Internet) to arrive at a preliminary list of candidates of participants. The period of stay will be 70 days between 7th January and 17th March 2016, during which they will receive funds to cover travel, accommodation, educational fees, and other expenses.
Over 250 applicants submitted their works for A-AIR 2015, and in the past five years, participants were invited from the UK, France, China, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, the USA, Finland, Israel, Australia, and Russia.
During their stay in Tokyo, the promising young animation creators from overseas carry out production of new animated works under guidance of Japanese animation professionals, visit animation studios and educational institutions, and engage in interactions with people involved in animation or other aspects of culture. The results of these efforts are presented at the end of residency period.
