Naka-Kon

AMV Contest Rules

Quick Summary

  • Entries must be 1 - 6 minutes in length; 75%+ of source content must be Japanese origin.
  • MP4 format for entry; resolution / frame rate quality above 480p / 23.976 fps.
  • No generative AI for video / audio; limited use of AI tools may be acceptable.
  • Up to 3 entries may be submitted per participant; online submission only.
  • Editors do not need to be present at Naka-Kon to enter or win.
  • Entries to be submitted in one of seven categories (six all ages and one 18+).
  • Entries will be judged to select finalists prior to convention weekend.
  • Finalists will be voted upon by a live audience to determine winners.
  • 18+ finalists will be screened & voted on during an 18+ Showcase on Saturday.
  • All ages finalists will be screened & voted on during an All Ages Showcase on Sunday.
  • Winners are provided with cash prizes, based on the level of award.
  • Winners (all ages) will be screened during Closing Ceremonies.

 

General Guidelines

Naka-Kon utilizes a modified version of the A-M-V.org CONGRSS Basic Rules & Guidelines for anime music video entries, described as follows.

  1. General Information
    1. Entries must be between 1 to 6 minutes in total duration.
    2. Entries must primarily feature animated Japanese source material, due to Naka-Kon's status as a non-profit organization dedicated to Japanese culture and education. Learn more about our convention and mission here.
      1. Source material may feature animated TV shows, movies, game footage, or game cutscenes. Entries may not feature live action or cosplay.
      2. No more than 25% of the total entry may feature content originating outside of Japan. (For example, Genshin Impact, Arcane, Hazbin Hotel, etc.)
    3. Entries will be edited by the Naka-Kon Contests team into a format for introducing / previewing / recapping entries for the purposes of live audience voting.
      1. The Naka-Kon Contests team will not directly edit the content of entries in any capacity, including (but not limited to) the censoring of music or videos to meet content standards.
      2. During submission, you may opt into allowing Naka-Kon to clip segments of your entry for promotional purposes at-con, such as the display of AMVs on screens around the convention center / hotel or in-between events in our Main Programming hall.
      3. During submission, you may opt into allowing Naka-Kon to stream your entry in other convention programming spaces or online.
    4. Naka-Kon reserves the right to disqualify or not show any entry at its discretion for any reason, without explanation or justification.
  2. Video & Audio Quality
    1. Entries should not contain watermarks, TV bumpers, credits, or references to other events or competitions, or other content unnecessary for the video concept.
    2. Entries should not include subtitles not created by the author.
    3. Entries with a resolution or frame rate lower than 480p and 23.976 fps may be disqualified. The preferred format for entries is MP4.
    4. Audio should be primarily music, and not contain excessive dialog or narration. Ensure that audio is clear and of good quality.
  3. Participation & Plagiarism
    1. Videos should consist of clips edited solely by the editor(s) or group listed on the entry form. Entries found to have been plagiarized from other Fandom Music Videos may result in disqualification and / or banishment from future events.
    2. In the case of collabs, MEPs, or videos edited by multiple people, each participant or group name must be listed on the submission form.
    3. Editors may enter up to three AMVs into the contest, either as a solo editor or as part of a group / collab. However, entries must be submitted in different genre categories.
  4. Submission
    1. Submissions will be accepted via URL only. Utilize a service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, A-M-V.org, etc. Ensure that your URL / file is set to 'public' or 'shared.' YouTube or 'streaming only' links will not be accepted, even if unlisted / private.
  5. Attendance
    1. Editors do not need to be present at Naka-Kon to enter or win an award, but are highly encouraged to attend. Finalists will be awarded with a badge to the current convention year.
      1. If a finalist has already pre-registered or obtained a badge for the current convention year, they can be reimbursed for the cost of their badge with valid proof of purchase.
  6. Content Standards
    1. All entries, regardless of category or rating, must adhere to the following standards.
      1. Entries may not feature content that is derogatory, demeaning, or designed to insult others on the basis of race, gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.
      2. Entries may not feature content or themes that depict rape, sexual assault, child pornography, or other explicit and violent sexual acts.
      3. Entries that depict violence, sexual acts, or illegal acts simply for the sake of depicting them ("shock value") with no specific artistic themes or intent will be disqualified.
      4. If you have questions about the content of your entry and its rating, please email the Naka-Kon Contests team for support.
    2. Editors will be asked to give their entries a rating upon submission.
      1. Entries rated PG-13 or below should not contain excessive violence, language, or content that would render it unsuitable for a general audience. These AMVs will be sorted into our All Ages Showcase and award categories.
      2. Entries rated R / 18+ may include violence, gore, and other mature content not typically suitable for a general audience. These AMVs will be sorted into our 18+ Showcase and award categories.
    3. Please keep in mind that this is a creative competition; AI cannot replace human creativity. 
      1. AI may not be used for the generation of video / audio assets. This includes (but is not limited to) generating new video material / assets, music or sound effects, extensions of existing source material, and other similar uses of generative AI.
      2. AI may be utilized during the editing process for processes such as upscaling, rotoscoping, etc. The use of these tools should be assistive / supplemental in nature, and should not replace the human editing process.
  7. Genres
    1. Entries must select a genre category from the following options during submission.
      1. Action / Adventure: A focus on fighting, sports, adventure, intense content, etc.
      2. Drama / Serious: A focus on heavy, theatrical, or serious content, etc.
      3. Sentimental / Romance: A focus on relationships, sentimentality, nostalgia, etc.
      4. Upbeat / Rhythm: A focus on fun, upbeat, or dance-heavy content, etc.
      5. Comedy / Humor: A focus on funny or silly content, intended for laughter, etc.
      6. Freeform: Everything else, if your entry does not fit a different category.
      7. 18+ / Mature: A category for videos rated R for excessive violence, blood / gore, etc.
    2. Videos modeled after AMV Hell and similarly styled "blipvert" or “Micro-Vid Reel” formats are generally not allowed in the main competition.
  8. Freshness
    1. Entries submitted to the Naka-Kon AMV Contests in previous years may not be re-submitted.
    2. Videos that premiered more than a full year prior to the Naka-Kon AMV Contest entry deadlines are discouraged, and may either be disqualified or ineligible to win awards.

 

Entry Guidelines

  1. Naka-Kon will only accept AMV Contest entries submitted before the online entry period deadline.
    1. Entry Period Deadline: February 26 at 11:59 pm Central Time
    2. Submission is conducted through a Google Form. You must complete the form while signed into a Google account so that a receipt of your submission may be sent to your email.
    3. A member of the Naka-Kon Contests team will email you to confirm your submission, answer any questions, and provide next steps. If you do not hear from a member of our team within 2 weeks, please email contests@naka-kon.com.
    4. Following the entry period deadline, the Naka-Kon Contests team will judge all submissions to select finalists. See 'Judging Guidelines' below.
    5. Finalists in each category will be notified no later than the Friday prior to Naka-Kon weekend. In this email, finalists will receive information about AMV Contest Check-In hours, location, etc.

 

Judging Guidelines

  1. Entries will be considered for award in the category selected during submission.
  2. Entries will be judged prior to convention weekend by the Naka-Kon Contests team, culminating in a selection of 3 finalists per category for the All Ages Showcase, and 15 total finalists for the 18+ Showcase.
    1. All entries in the All Showcase will be in the running against one another for awards, both in separate categories and overall. This showcase will produce 18 finalists across 6 all ages categories; 1 winner per category; and 1 overall winner.
    2. All entries in the 18+ Showcase will be in the running against one another for awards. This showcase will produce 15 finalists and 3 overall winners. Entries in the 18+ category are not eligible for the Overall Winner award.
  3. Finalist entries will be shown as part of AMV Showcase events held during Naka-Kon weekend. The Showcase events will include a live audience voting component.
    1. Audience members may vote using our live voting tool, which will require a device that can scan a QR code or navigate to a website. One vote per device. Audience voting will be open until 10 minutes after the screening of the final entry.
  4. Winners will be selected using audience votes.
    1. In the event of a tie, the Naka-Kon Contests team will determine winner(s).

 

Awards & Prizes

  1. Editors do not need to be present at the AMV Contest event to win.
    1. Winners from all categories will be announced at the end of each AMV Showcase event and at Closing Ceremonies on Sunday.
    2. If winners are present at the time of the AMV Showcase events and / or Closing Ceremonies, they may elect to be recognized onstage.
    3. If not present at the AMV Showcase events or Closing Ceremonies, winners will be contacted via email after the contest with next steps and prizes.
  2. A list of finalists and winning entries will be posted on the Naka-Kon website and social media, with editor credits.
    1. Optional links to the AMV may be included on our website if uploaded by the creator(s) to YouTube or another source after the contest is finished. Please email relevant links to uploaded videos and / or editor credits to the Naka-Kon Contests team.
  3. The Overall Winner, Inari's Choice Winner, and Tomo's Choice Winner will be screened at Closing Ceremonies. Winners from the 18+ Showcase will not be screened during Closing Ceremonies.

Last updated on December 8, 2025.

AMV Contest
 
Rules