THE Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is set to return to Philippine theaters in September, giving Filipinos more films to add to their “movies to watch” list.

The Japan Foundation, Manila announced that the annual festival will begin on September 18. It will feature 12 films with different genres, ranging from beloved classics to critically acclaimed new releases.

Organizers of the JFF said this year’s movie lineup invites viewers to “build bridges, not walls – and celebrate the power of film to connect us all.”

Here is the complete movie lineup for the 2025 JFF:

• “Love Letter” directed by Shunji Iwai, starring Miho Nakayama, Etsushi Toyokawa, Miki Sakai, Takahashi Kashiwabara, Bunjaku Han, Katsuyuki Shinohara, and Mariko Kaga

• “Seven Samurai” directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshiro Mifune and Takahashi Shimura

• “Spirited Away” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, starring Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takashi Naito, Yasuko Sawaguchi, and Bunta Sugawara

• “Ghost in the Shell” directed by Mamoru Oshii, starring Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka, and Koichi Yamadera

• “Evil Does Not Exist” directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, starring Hitoshi Omika and Ryo Nishikawa

• “A Samurai in Time” directed by Junichi Yasuda, starring Makiya Yamaguchi, Norimasa Fuke, and Yuno Sakura

• “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM” directed by Mitsuo Fukuda, starring Soichiro Hoshi, Rie Tanaka, Akira Ishida, Nanako Mori, Kenichi Suzumura, and Maaya Sakamoto

• “Cells at Work” directed by Hideki Takeuchi, starring Mei Nagano and Takeru Satoh

• “Showtime 7” directed by Kazutaka Watanabe, starring Hiroshi Abe, Ryo Ryusei, and Meru Nukumi

• “18×2 Beyond Youthful Days” directed by Michihito Fujii, starring Hsu Kuang Han, Kaya Kiyohara, Joseph Chang, Shunsuke Michieda

• “Teasing Master Takagi-san” directed by Rikiya Imaizumi, starring Mei Nagano and Fumiya Takahashi

• “The Boy and the Dog” directed by Takahisa Zeze, starring Fumiya Takahashi and Nanase Nishino

All these films will be screened for free in select Philippine cinemas.

Where to watch

The 2025 JFF lineup will be made available in these participating cinemas in Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Angeles, and Davao:

• Shangri-La Plaza, Manila (September 18 to 28)
• SM City Baguio (September 26 to October 5)
• SM City Cebu (October 3 to 12)
• UP Film Institute (October 10 to 18)
• SM City Lanang (October 10 to 19)
• SM City Manila (October 17 to 26)
• SM City Clark (October 17 to 26)

About JFF

Launched in 1997, the JFF has attracted over 40,000 viewers every year through its “vast variety of cinematic delights,” including drama, anime, romance, mystery, and recently released films, according to its website.

The festival is organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila, an organization that carries out “comprehensive international cultural exchange programs throughout the world.”

This year’s edition invites Filipinos to submit love letters that express how love can transcend time and space.

The author of the chosen letter will receive an invitation to the Opening Night Screening of Iwai’s “Love Letter” at the festival, as well as exclusive JFF 2025 merchandise.

The submission of letters is due by Monday, September 8.