In recognition of the city’s vibrant activities in the field of cinema, including YIDFF, Yamagata was designated City of Film by UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2017. The city becomes home to a new initiative called Yamagata Documentary Dojo, an international artist-in-residence program. Four Southeast Asian filmmakers will reside at the Zao hot spring resort for four weeks in order to review and strengthen their documentary projects in post-production.