Films bridge Phl-Japan ties

Philippines-Japan cultural ties will take center stage as the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2026 brings 16 films, filmmaker engagements and special cinema programs to six cities from 1 October to 29 November.

Organized by the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM), this year’s festival carries the theme “Shared Treasure. Shared Stories.” It marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Japan Foundation, Manila.

The festival opens on 1 October at SM Megamall with “KOKUHO,” directed by filmmaker Lee Sang-il, who will attend the opening event.

Lee will meet Filipino audiences again on 2 October for a post-screening talkback at SM Megamall Cinema 2. “KOKUHO” will screen at 6 p.m., followed by the talkback at 9 p.m., where Lee will discuss the film, his filmmaking process and its exploration of Kabuki, tradition, artistic legacy and human relationships.

The session will also give audiences an opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the filmmaker.

Set in the demanding and traditional world of Kabuki, “KOKUHO” explores ambition, friendship, rivalry, family and sacrifice. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and later received multiple awards at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize, including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year for Lee.

Lee is also known for films including “Hula Girls,” which will be screened as part of this year’s festival lineup.

JFF 2026 will be staged in six cities and eight venues in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Cinema. Screenings will be held at SM Megamall from 1 to 4 October, SM Baguio from 9 to 18 October, SM Cebu from 16 to 25 October, SM Iloilo from 6 to 15 November, SM Lanang in Davao from 13 to 22 November, and SM CDO Downtown from 20 to 29 November. SM Manila will host screenings from 16 to 25 October, while SM North EDSA will have screenings from 20 to 29 November.

The lineup spans contemporary films, classics and animation, including Akira Kurosawa’s “Throne of Blood,” Studio Ghibli’s “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” Kento Yamazaki-starrer “UNDER NINJA,” and Yoji Yamada’s “TOKYO TAXI.”

The festival will also showcase Cinema Kabuki, bringing the traditional theater form to the big screen. The opening weekend will feature “Renjishi (The Father and Son Shishi Lions),” directed by Yamada, alongside a Kabuki Costume Dressing Demonstration on 2 October and a “Kumadori” Body-Painting Experience on 3 October.

On 28 November, Nausicaä Day will feature Studio Ghibli’s “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” followed by a two-part screening of its Kabuki adaptation, “KABUKI KAZE NO TANI NO NAUSICAÄ.”

The filmmaker series will continue with director Iizuka Kasho and his film “BLUE BOY TRIAL,” inspired by the true story of a 1960s Japanese court case involving a doctor who performed sex reassignment procedures.

Iizuka will hold post-screening talkbacks at SM Cebu on 22 October and SM Manila on 24 October.

The filmmaker conversations will also continue through “Journey through Japan on Screen in Manila 2026,” a special program presented in partnership with the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan and the Japan Film Commission.

Director Jaime Pacena II and producer Masumi Soga will discuss “KONO BASHO,” while international producer Jason Gray and Filipino producer Alemberg Ang will join a discussion on “RENOIR.”

JFM said the filmmaker engagements are intended to allow audiences to connect with the people and creative processes behind the films.

Selected films will also feature talkback sessions with directors and producers, while activation campaigns throughout the festival will give audiences opportunities to receive freebies and exclusive JFF 2026 merchandise.

The festival is supported by the Embassy of Japan, SM Supermalls and SM Cinema, JTI Philippines, the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan, Japan Film Commission and Film Development Council of the Philippines.