2026 Call for Submissions (closed)

The Nichi Bei Foundation is no longer accepting submissions for its 15th annual Films of Remembrance, the premier showcase of films commemorating the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans in American concentration camps during World War II. The submissions deadline was December 1, 2025.

Selected films will be included at showcase screenings in San Francisco’s Japantown on February 21, 2026 and San Jose’s Japantown on February 22, 2026. Additional screenings in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo and in Gardena, CA are scheduled for March 28-29, 2026. Filmmakers are expected to attend the screenings and participate in post-screening discussion panels.

In addition, selected films may be eligible to be included in Films of Remembrance On Demand, our new streaming platform dedicated to films on the Japanese American incarceration experience.

Learn more about Films of Remembrance >

SUBMISSION CRITERIA
Eligible films should be recent productions on the topic of the Japanese American wartime incarceration experience and its aftermath, in either documentary, narrative, animation, or experimental forms. Works in progress may be considered if they are under production and guaranteed to be completed by the film submission deadline.

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KEY DATES

October 6, 2025
SUBMISSIONS OPEN 

November 7, 2025
PRIORITY DEADLINE
Films received by this date will be considered under our standard review process.

December 1, 2025
LATE DEADLINE
Films received by this date will be considered under our expedited review process if slots are still open.

December 15, 2025
NOTIFICATION DATE

January 16, 2026
COMPLETED FILM SUBMISSION DEADLINE

February 21-22, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO & SAN JOSE SHOWCASE DATES

March 28–29, 2026 
LOS ANGELES & GARDENA SHOWCASE DATES

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