Japanese Film Festival 2026 takes over cinemas nationwide

The Japan Foundation, Manila has launched the Japanese Film Festival 2026, running from October 1 to November 29 across eight cities in the Philippines.

With the theme “Shared Treasure. Shared Stories.” this year’s edition is in celebration of the 70 years of normalized Philippine-Japan diplomatic ties and 30 years of JFM’s presence in the country.

The festival, in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Cinema, brings a curated 16-film roster straight to SM Megamall (Oct. 1-4), SM Manila and SM Cebu (Oct. 16-25), SM Baguio (Oct. 9-18), SM Iloilo (Nov. 6-15), SM Lanang (Nov. 13-22), and SM North EDSA and SM CDO Downtown Premiere (Nov 20-29), making world-class Japanese storytelling accessible to Filipino filmgoers for free.

The festival kicked off last Oct. 1 at SM Megamall with the Philippine debut of “KOKUHO” (2025), a sweeping narrative rooted in the rigorous world of Kabuki theater.

The film arrives fresh from its Cannes premiere and a dominant showing at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize, where it secured Picture of the Year, Director of the Year, and Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Ryo Yoshizawa.

Acclaimed director Lee Sang-il flew in from Japan and had a brief press interview following the opening program. He addressed the audience before and after the opening night film screening.

Minister-Counselor Maya Hamada of the Embassy of Japan, Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair and CEO Jose “Direk Joey” Javier Reyes, SM Supermalls Senior Assistant Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Ms. Kitchie Limoanco, and JFM Director Ben Suzuki also graced the event.

Beyond screen adaptations, the 2026 lineup focuses on “Cinema Kabuki,” a specialized format designed to capture traditional stage performance for large-format theater screens.

The opening slate spotlights Yoji Yamada’s “Renjishi (The Father and Son Shishi Lions),” complemented by live cultural activities such as a costume demonstration and a traditional Kumadori body-painting workshop.

Animation fans also have a dedicated highlight with “Nausicaä Day,” featuring Hayao Miyazaki’s “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” (1984) together with its two-part Kabuki stage adaptation.

The rest of the program features restored films like Akira Kurosawa’s “Throne of Blood” (1957) and a 4K remaster of Sang-il’s “Hula Girls” (2006), and festival favorites “Tokyo Taxi,” “Blue Boy Trial,” “The Girl Who Sees,” “Under Ninja,” and “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence,” among others.

The festival will also have a special subprogram entitled “Journey through Japan on Screen in Manila 2026,” organized in partnership with Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Film Commission.

This initiative highlights international co-productions, including Jaime Pacena II’s “Kono Basho” and Chie Hayakawa’s “Renoir,” along with youth-focused titles like “School Meals Time: School Excursion Inferno” and the animated feature “You, Fireworks, and Our Promise.”