Open Call: HANOI DOCUMENTARY DOJO 2026
Application link
Deadline for application: 16 Aug 2026
From Hanoi Grapevine:
The Yamagata Documentary Dojo is a retreat and workshop program for Asian filmmakers in the mountains of Yamagata, Japan, which has taken place since 2018. This year, Yamagata Documentary Dojo comes to Hanoi, Vietnam in a condensed edition titled HANOI DOCUMENTARY DOJO 2026. Co-organized by Documentary Dream Center (DD Center), Hanoi Grapevine and White Light Cinéhub, with mentorship from Japanese documentary professionals and Varan Việt Nam, the program offers a unique opportunity for Vietnamese filmmakers who are currently developing documentary projects.
The program consists of presenting works-in-progress and discussing with mentors and peers, in order to discover new perspectives on one’s own creative work. The weekend will include masterclasses and screenings of Japanese and Vietnamese documentaries with discussions.
Five filmmakers from Vietnam will be chosen from an open call to take part in the Dojo workshop. Directors working collaboratively with editors or producers can apply as a team.
The Dojo is not a technical filmmaking course; rather, it is a thinking space for creative documentary practice — a safe environment where filmmakers can develop ideas, meet new peers, and build a long-term community of practice. Sharing and exchanging with Japanese documentary filmmakers and professionals will broaden one’s world view and help us make better films.
Timeline:
Workshop Documentary Dojo: 14 – 16 Oct 2026
Documentary Movie Screening: 17 – 18 Oct & 24 – 25 Oct 2026
Location:
White Light Cinéhub (Hanoi)
Participants will receive
– The opportunity to take part in the three-day Hanoi Documentary Dojo alongside the program’s mentors and five selected fellow filmmakers.
– Round-trip travel support to Hanoi (for participants based outside Hanoi).
– Basic accommodation for four nights.
– Access to masterclasses, film screenings, and discussions with filmmakers and documentary professionals from Vietnam and Japan.
– Opportunities to expand their professional network and build long-term connections with filmmakers across the region.
Selection process
A panel of mentors and documentary professionals from Japan and Vietnam will jointly review all applications and select 10 shortlisted candidates. These candidates will then be invited to attend an online interview with the selection panel, through which five participants will be chosen for the program. The interview stage is intended not only to identify the candidates who are the best fit for the Dojo, but also to ensure a fair and diverse selection process. Final results will be announced no later than September 9, 2026.
Contact
Facebook Hanoi Grapevine
Email: [email protected]
Follow updates on event’s page.
