Young Ambassador Scheme

Interested in Japan or film? Like free stuff? Apply for the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024 Young Ambassador Scheme, and experience the cutting edge of Japanese cinema for free!

 

Please read the below details before applying here!

 

What’s the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme?

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is an annual screening programme of Japanese films on a given theme, shown at cinemas across the UK. This year, that theme is “Unforgettable: Memories, Times and Reflections in Japanese Cinema.”

Memories play a powerful role in the mind. Shaped fluidly by individuals or time, they have been a source of inspiration for many filmmakers, fuelling their creativity to craft colourful stories. This year, the JFTFP is delving into Japanese cinema to explore how memories are employed in the cinematic voices of Japanese filmmakers, from films where memories are a focal point to works where they play a subliminal role in driving or affecting people’s minds and behaviour. With an incredibly diverse range of films all based on memories, time, and reflections, this year’s programme is set to provide you with memorable stories and unforgettable moments!

 

What’s the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme Young Ambassador Scheme?

The Young Ambassador Scheme is your chance to see these films for free!

More specifically, the Scheme aims to encourage a younger audience to engage with Japanese cinema through allowing a selected group of young people to access a screening, or screenings, of their choice completely free of charge, thanks to the cooperation of our partner venues.

In return, Ambassadors are expected to promote the Touring Film Programme on social media, and to fill out a short report after attending their screening/s, to ensure that more and more young people can experience Japanese cinema.

 

What are the eligibility criteria?

You must be:

  • between 18 and 30 years of age
  • able to access one of the 2024 Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme’s venues (check our film pages for more information)
  • a regular user of social media, such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and willing to use these services to promote the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024, particularly your chosen screening/s
  • willing to produce a small report after your chosen screening/s (we’ll provide a form to help you!)

 

Do any applications get prioritised?

Yes, but we’d encourage you to apply regardless!
Our criteria for prioritisation are:

  • over 1000 followers/friends on at least one of Facebook, X, and Instagram

AND/OR

  • have not attended a Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme screening before.

 

Is there anything else I should know?

A little!

  • Screenings are subject to availability.
  • For each screening, only two Ambassadors will get a ticket, so bear this in mind when you choose your films – the more popular the film, the less likely you are to get a ticket!
  • You may apply to see up to two film titles.
  • Ambassadors may only claim one ticket per screening.
  • Failure to attend, promote, or complete a report on your chosen screening/s may result in you being blacklisted from the Young Ambassador Scheme. Please understand that a lot of effort, not to mention money, goes into getting you these tickets!
  • The Japan Foundation and its partner venues are not responsible for the travel arrangements of the Ambassadors selected, nor for any associate costs.
  • Ambassadors are not covered by the insurance policies of the Japan Foundation, nor by those of its partner venues.
  • The partner venues involved in the 2024 Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme Young Ambassador Scheme are as follows:
    • Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth
    • Brewery Arts Cinema, Kendal
    • Broadway, Nottingham
    • Cameo Picturehouse, Edinburgh
    • Chapter, Cardiff
    • Chichester Cinema at New Park, Chichester
    • Cinema City Picturehouse, Norwich
    • City Screen Picturehouse, York
    • Depot, Lewes
    • Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee
    • Eden Court, Inverness
    • Exeter Phoenix, Exeter
    • Firstsite, Colchester
    • HOME, Manchester
    • Howard Theatre, Downing College, Cambridge
    • Institute of Contemporary Arts, London
    • Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
    • Phoenix, Leicester
    • Picturehouse @ FACT, Liverpool
    • Plymouth Arts Cinema, Plymouth
    • QUAD, Derby
    • Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast
    • Showroom Cinema, Sheffield
    • Storyhouse, Chester
    • The Dukes, Lancaster
    • The Phoenix Cinema, Orkney
    • The Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford
    • Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle
    • Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
    • Watershed, Bristol

 

When’s the deadline for applications?

The good news is that there’s no specific deadline! However, we would encourage you to apply at least three weeks before the screening/s you wish to attend, in order to secure your seat.

 

Sounds good! How do I apply?

Please click here to open the application form.
If you’re selected to become a Young Ambassador, you’ll hear from us at least 2 weeks before your selected screening date/s.
Unfortunately, due to overwhelming demand, we are unable to respond to unsuccessful applications; as such, if you have not heard from us within 10 working days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

We’re looking forward to receiving your applications!

 

I have a question…

For all enquiries relating to the Young Ambassador Scheme, please contact Emily at the below email address, replacing the text in square brackets with the correct punctuation:
emily_horst [at] jpf [dot] go [dot] jp