Lineup for Japanese Film Festival 2025 unveiled

FILIPINOS have more reason to visit cinemas this year, as the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) will return with a new lineup featuring live-action and animated movies.

The annual film festival is organized by the Japan Foundation, an institution dedicated to carrying out Japan’s “comprehensive international cultural exchange programs” worldwide.

For this year’s edition, the JFF showcases a mix of classic and recently released movies in different genres—from drama to cyberpunk action, sports, thriller, and of course, romance.

Here is the film festival’s 2025 lineup:

• “Akira (1988)” directed by Katsuhiro Otomo
• “Under The Open Sky (2021)” directed by Miwa Nishikawa
• “Godzilla Minus One (2023)” directed by Takashi Yamazaki
• “Monster (2023)” directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
• “Our Secret Diary (2023)” directed by Kentaro Takemura
• “Perfect Days (2023)” directed by Wim Wenders
• “Sand Land (2023)” directed by Toshihisa Yokoshima
• “The Imaginary (2023)” directed by Yoshiyuki Momose
• “DitO (2024)” directed by Takashi Yuki
• “Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle (2024)” directed by Susumu Mitsunaka
• “Let’s Go Karaoke! (2024)” directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita
• “Matched (2024)” directed by Eiji Uchida

Before this, “Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle (2024),” which centered on the long-awaited match between rival volleyball teams Karasuno and Nekoma, premiered in Philippine cinemas in May 2024.

Further details about the 2025 JFF, including the participating cinemas, have yet to be revealed. As always, admission is free to all screenings.

Meanwhile, many Filipino moviegoers, especially fans of Japanese movies, are excited about the film festival, with some already recommending what film to watch.

The 2024 edition of the JFF, which opened at the Shangri-La Plaza Atrium, also boasted a diverse lineup, including the Filipino-favorite animated film, “The First Slam Dunk,” and “Voltes V: Legacy – The Cinematic Experience,” the Philippine adaptation of the popular anime series “Voltes V.” 

The JFF Online 2024 was then launched, which allowed netizens to stream 23 Japanese films on the JFF’s website for free.