Japanese Film Festival Ends with Record Audiences in Sydney, Starts Thursday in Melbourne

Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson The 14th Japanese Film Festival concluded last Sunday with record audiences of 7,700 in Sydney alone. The week-long festival screened 20 sessions all up, with four sessions selling out, and another two almost reaching full capacity.

Opening night saw the red carpet rolled out at Regent Place, Sydney for the festival’s opening night gala. NSW’s Minister for the Arts and Minister for Fair Trading, The Honorary Virginia Judge MP began the night with a warm welcome, together with Dr Masahiro Kohara, Consul-General of Japan. Festival guests enjoyed the latest cinematic screenings from Japan, some winning fantastic on-the-spot lucky-door prizes thanks to our generous sponsors. Others took advantage of the festival’s special events with significant guests from Japan, Tsutomu Abe (Director, KYOTO STORY), Tadao Sato (Japan`s leading film critic), Shigeki Chiba (Documentary Director, Vice Principal of the Japan Academy of Moving Images) and Production I.G’s Naoyoshi Shiotani (Director, TOKYO MARBLE CHOCOLATE and Animation Director, OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR). OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR was featured in the festival’s ‘Anime Matsuri’, a double screening of both Shiotani’s films followed by a Q&A session. OBLIVION ISLAND is nominated for this year’s Best Animated Feature Film in the Asia Pacific Screen Awards; the verdict to be announced 2 December. Also up for nominations at next year’s Academy Awards is Sydney’s sold-out CONFESSIONS, Japan’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film, directed by Tetsuya Nakashima (KAMIKAZE GIRLS, MEMORIES OF MATSUKO), starring Takako Matsu (K-20, VILLON`S WIFE). The 14th Japanese Film Festival now heads to Melbourne starting this Thursday at ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Tickets are on sale now with only a handful of tickets remaining for Opening night. Don’t miss out! For full programming information, visit japanesefilmfestival.net. MELBOURNE: 2-7 December ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square

Ticketing

Single session admission, on sale now: Adult $15 Concession $13 Japan Foundation Members $11 5-Film Pass: $60 (Excludes Opening and Closing films, available only from the venue’s box office. Films must be selected at time of purchase.)

About The Japan Foundation

The Japan Foundation aims to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through a diverse range of programs and events. It was established in 1972 with a global network of 23 offices in 21 countries. The Australian office was founded in 1977. The Japan Foundation, Sydney runs a gallery space, library and Japanese language courses for all levels catering from beginner to advanced.

For more information on the 14th Japanese Film Festival please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: