sanuki film festival
Takamatsu City, Japan
74
Tier BScreenings
Festival dossier
yamagata international documentary film festival
Yamagata, Japan · Est. 1989 · High structural score (80–100) for legitimacy and industry clout — not limited to Oscar-qualifying festivals
Yamagata, Japan
100
Legitimacy ScoreShould I submit?
Strong legitimacy signals
Tier A score for legitimacy and industry clout. Still confirm deadlines, fees, and categories on the festival site before paying.
- Oscar Qualifying Festival
- 37 years of verifiable history
- Physical screenings at Yamagata Central Public Hall
Overview
The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) is the oldest and most distinguished documentary film festival in Asia, held biennially in Yamagata, Japan since 1989. It is notable for showcasing radical, creative, and experimental non-fiction works from around the world while prioritizing emerging Asian filmmakers through its "New Asian Currents" competition. As an Oscar-qualifying festival since 2018 and a major hub for independent documentary production, it attracts over 22,000 visitors and has accelerated the careers of acclaimed auteurs like Naomi Kawase and Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
Last updated Aug 23, 2026
Legitimacy Analysis
Positive Indicators (+91 pts)
- Oscar Qualifying Festival
- 37 years of verifiable history
- Physical screenings at Yamagata Central Public Hall
- Press/industry coverage
- Wikipedia-verified (16 refs, 8 languages)
- 4 verified pro signals
- Verified trusted status
- Legitimacy signals outweigh concerns (7 vs 0)
- Major accreditation with net-positive trust signals
Red Flags (-0 pts)
No red flags found
Trust Signals
Positive Signals
- Named venues with external verification
- Documented history with archived programs
- PRESS_COVERAGE
- WIKIDATA_VERIFIED
Festival Details
Founded
1989
Venue
Yamagata Central Public Hall
Screenings
Physical screenings confirmed
Award Categories
1
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At a glance
How scoring works
Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.
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