Young Ambassador Scheme

Interested in Japan or film? Like free stuff? Apply for the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2025 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 “Am I Right? Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema.”

 

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, report back on any noteworthy occurrences during their screening/s (eg. technical difficulties, special introductions from staff, distribution of programme notes etc.), and to fill out a short questionnaire 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 2025 Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme venues (see https://www.jpf-film.org.uk/venues/ 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 2025, particularly your chosen screening/s
  • willing to fill out a short questionnaire after your chosen screening/s.

 

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.

 

How much do I have to post? What should I post?

The only requirement is that you post at least once, preferably before your screening/s, and then send us a screenshot, but of course we’d appreciate it if you could help spread the word as much as possible!

In terms of what to write in your posts, we try to be flexible – our only requirements are as follows:

  • Include the hashtag #JFTFP25, and tag at least one of our social media profiles:
    • @jpflondon on X;
    • @JapanFoundationLondon on Facebook;
    • @jpflondon (main) and/or @jpf_film (film-specific) on Instagram.
  • Please also tag the venue you’re attending at on social media!
  • Do not engage in any conduct which may constitute copyright infringement.
  • Avoid posting anything that could be considered derogatory or offensive.

Other than these, if you follow the general principle of trying to get people interested in Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme screenings – especially the ones near you – you’re free to post whatever you’d like. In previous years, we’ve had Young Ambassadors posting everything from reviews to fanart, so feel free to get as creative as you’d like!

 

Is there anything else I should know?

  • Before making your application, please check the date and time of your desired screening/s (available at https://www.jpf-film.org.uk/ or your venue’s website).
  • 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.
  • Violating the rules regarding the content of your social media posts (see “How much do I have to post? What should I post?” above) may also result in you being blacklisted from the Young Ambassador Scheme.
  • The Japan Foundation and its partner venues are not responsible for the travel arrangements of the Ambassadors selected, nor for any associated costs.
  • Ambassadors are not covered by the insurance policies of the Japan Foundation, nor by those of its partner venues.

 

When’s the deadline for applications?

To allow the Japan Foundation and its partner venues time to arrange Young Ambassador tickets, all applications for screenings less than a week away will be rejected.

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.
We aim to contact all successful applicants within 10 working days of their application. Please make sure to check your junk/spam folder as well as your inbox.
Unfortunately, as the Young Ambassador Scheme receives a high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to unsuccessful applicants. As such, if you do not hear back from us after 10 working days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
(Please note that if your chosen venue is yet to commence ticket sales for the Touring Film Programme, there may be a delay in processing your application.)

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