The Yamagata Documentary Dojo is a creative retreat where Asian filmmakers develop their documentary works-in-progress. Filmmakers are invited to reside in a hot spring village amidst the mountains of Yamagata, Japan, using the retreat as an opportunity to review their work from new perspectives. The program begins with a presentation workshop and mentoring sessions, after which filmmakers settle in, engage with the local community, and are allowed focused time and space to reflect deeply on their projects.
The Dojo aspires to foster a kind of collective for creative documentary, offering a safe environment to deepen thinking, opportunities to meet new peers, and rejuvenate in the bliss of hot springs.
Yamagata Documentary Dojo is organized in cooperation with the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. Over 20 films have been completed by fellows from the past seven editions, many which were selected to major film festivals and distributed theatrically in Japan.
DATES: Feb 5 to March 3, 2027 (27 days)
STAY: 24 nights in Hijiori Onsen, Yamagata / 2 nights in Yamagata City
OPEN CALL FOR FELLOWS:
(a) One to two teams of 2 Asian-based filmmakers (director/editor, director/producer, etc)
(b) One team of Japan-based filmmaker
PROVISIONS for (a):
= Includes an intense four-day workshop with mentors and peers, one-on-one meetings with mentors, time and space (surrounded by snow) to think and review your own project.
= Includes travel costs within Japan during the program.
= Includes 24 nights basic accommodation in a Japanese-style inn (private room, shared bath/WC) in Hijiori, two nights hotel in Yamagata City. Local breakfast and dinner provided in Hijiori. Simple cooking facilities can be made available.
= Basic work studio (room with speakers and monitor) provided per team.
= All other incidentals, living expenses should be covered by the fellows.
= Fellows are requested to buy their own travel insurance for illness and accidents.
= Fellows must have a passport that is at least 6 months valid after the travel dates.
= Fellows must be over 21 years old, in good health and have sufficient proficiency in English or Japanese language.
= A subsidy towards international travel costs will be offered for each participant from outside Japan. The amount will be determined after discussion.
PROVISIONS for (b): See https://ddcenter.org/dojo/dojo8_bj
PROGRAM:
= After a period of settling in, the program kicks off with a 4-day workshop which brings the AIR fellows together with 3 Japanese filmmakers and international mentors who are from the front ranks of documentary today. The workshop consists of masterclasses, group discussions, and mentoring. There will be optional walks in the snow and hot spring soaks for relaxation and inspiration.
= During the rest of the residency, the filmmakers will be focusing on their film projects. During this period, the filmmakers will be asked to take part in some public events and activities with local people. Each fellow can make a video portrait (of 1-3 minutes) of a local person they met during their stay, to share as a gift to the community. This is the video series “Faces Yamagata“.
= At the end of their stay, the fellows will be required to take part in public end-of-residency presentations.
= The dojo takes place in the ancient hamlet of Hijiori Onsen (population 300), renowned for baths with natural healing properties and 3-meter snowfall in winter.
= Dojo 道場: A dojo is originally a hall or space for immersive learning in the martial arts or meditation. The term consists of two characters which mean “the Way” and “the Place” in Japanese.
= YIDFF: Yamagata City is where the biennial Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) has taken place since 1989. One of the major documentary film festivals in Asia, it has historically served as the site for nurturing and inspiring Asian artists. Its history shows programming committed to representing the diversity of film cultures and serving as a place for meaningful exchange. The next edition is October 2027. http://www.yidff.jp/index.html.en
TO APPLY:
Applications must be submitted by November 2, 2026 (20:00 Japan time)
1. Through this form: https://forms.gle/y8aztjdu361qYqiH9
2. If you would like to ask someone for a letter of recommendation (optional), please use this form: https://forms.gle/RWtK2uMsm9gKezX28
3. Please upload and create an online link of a self-recorded video introducing yourself and why you want to take part in this program (less than 3 minutes). You can either appear together with your team member, or each record separate videos. Share the link(s) in the application form.
4. Selection is based on portfolio and the film project to be worked on during the residency. Film projects in production or rough-cut stage are preferred. Finalists will be invited to online interviews. Early application is highly recommended.
5. Results will be notified by mid-December 2026.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:
1. Filmmakers will retain copyright of all works developed or produced during the residency, and will allow Documentary Dream Center the right to screen it for non-commercial purposes in relation to the residency.
2. Documentary Dream Center has the right to use, without payment of any fee, the name, image, and voice in photographs, recordings, and interviews of the filmmakers during the residency.
3. We ask that Yamagata Documentary Dojo be acknowledged in the credits of the work developed or produced during the residency.
4. If the filmmakers do not complete the residency without valid reasons, the organizers reserve the right to recover partial or full costs as provided during the residency.
5. For all unforeseen issues, organizers and filmmakers will work to resolve differences upon mutual consultations in good faith.
For inquiries, contact: info@ddcenter.org
The residency is organized by:
Documentary Dream Center ddcenter.org
Fujii Daiichi Bldg. 3F, 1-11-11 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0047 JAPAN
Director: FUJIOKA Asako
Email info@ddcenter.org
Supported by
The Japan Foundation / Grant Program for Enhancing Cultural Exchange and Networks in Asia [WA2.0]
With the Assistance of:
Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (NPO) and other partners
TO LEARN ABOUT PAST DOJO PROGRAMS:
https://ddcenter.org/dojo/
