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Sapporo Short Fest has introduced a ¥200,000 Human Intelligence Prize in partnership with Vancouver-based YumeBau Inc., recognising human creativity and craftsmanship in filmmaking.
Announced on 20 October 2026, the new special award will go to a film already nominated in the festival’s international competition. It is not a separate call for submissions.
YumeBau founder and CEO Wilson J. Tang is the prize’s judge. The winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony on Friday 23 October, beginning at 4pm Japan Standard Time.
Recognising human creativity
The festival describes the award as recognising films whose techniques and scenes demonstrate the artistry and skill of human hands. Tang said that acknowledging human storytelling and craftsmanship was increasingly important as artificial intelligence reshapes creative work.
He linked the prize to YumeBau’s philosophy: “Made By Humans. Made For Humans.”
The announcement does not specify a blanket ban on AI tools or publish detailed AI-use rules.
A sponsor working across games and immersive media
YumeBau describes itself as a game studio and laboratory developing digital experiences. Its portfolio includes environment and technical art for Fortnite, research and development with Meta, and its own spatial-computing game, BuildPort Xumia.
Tang’s connection with Sapporo predates the new award. He served on the festival’s international jury in 2015. His festival biography also records work as a visual effects art director at Industrial Light & Magic between 1999 and 2006, with projects including Star Wars: Episode II, A.I. Artificial Intelligence and Hulk.
The 2026 festival
The 21st Sapporo International Short Film Festival takes place from 23 to 25 October 2026. Established in 2006, the festival will use Concarino in Sapporo’s Kotoni area as its main venue this year.
The Human Intelligence Prize joins the festival’s awards programme, with its first recipient due to be named on opening day.
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