Archive
Japanese Film Festival Plus: Online Festival 2020
Program
Click below to read details on each Japanese feature film.

The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice
The story is about a middle aged couple who are different in every way, from each other. However in a critical situation, they find a hope for a renewal of their marriage when they share a simple meal together. As with all of OZU’s films, the family unit, in crisis, is portrayed, with warmth, humor, and resignation to the limit of life.

Production I.G Short Animation: The Girl from the Other Side
Touch not the Outsiders, lest ye become an Outsider. But when two creatures belonging to opposite kinds -a lost little girl from the Inside and a demonic beast-looking Outsider- initiate an impossible coexistence on the same side of the forest, their bond seems to transcend their incompatible natures and the unnamed curse that has divided the world.

Production I.G Short Animation: Drawer Hobs
Unfulfilled call-center employee Noeru lives alone in a cheap apartment in a big city. One day, without notice, her mother sends her an old and bulky chest of drawers. Not exactly the most welcome piece of furniture for Noeru’s tiny place! But from that day, breakfast is ready in the morning although she doesn’t recall of having cooked any. And the kitchen is clean and tidy instead of the usual mess. And… wait, what are those weird kids doing in her room?

Production I.G Short Animation: Li’l Spider Girl
Everything started from an old book telling the story of an expert magician who defeated a giant spider monster in ancient times. Antique book dealer Amane Suzuri, who is trying to sell the book in order to pay the rent, would have never imagined that after reading this story to Mizuki, the building owner’s young nephew, he could find himself face-to-face with a scared, twenty-centimeter-tall, eight-legged baby arachnid girl. And she’s the sweetest thing in the world… or not?

Production I.G Short Animation: KICK-HEART
Kick-Heart is a love story between Romeo, a successful pro-wrestler, and Juliet, a nun who lives a secret double-life as a female pro-wrestler. Romeo’s secret is that he enjoys taking a beating in the ring, while Juliet feels invigorated when facing her opponents as a wrestler. When the two meet in the ring, the fireworks fly. Will Juliet reveal her true identity to the one she loves? Will Romeo be able to share his secret to the world?

Production I.G Short Animation: PIGTAILS
The earth shook. The sea roared. And then…
There is a small house solitary standing by the seaside. A pigtail-braided girl has been living there alone since that fateful day. Mail is no longer delivered, but even this morning, she’s hanging out the laundry as usual.
News & Features
Read our latest news and features on the Japanese Film Festival

Live-action Mazinger Z-inspired film headlines the 2020 Japanese Film Festival in the Philippines
MANILA AND TOKYO (November 16, 2020) – The Japan Foundation, Manila kicks off its first digital edition of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) with a
Schedule & Venues



Film Lineup
Click below to read details on each Japanese feature film.

The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice
The story is about a middle aged couple who are different in every way, from each other. However in a critical situation, they find a hope for a renewal of their marriage when they share a simple meal together. As with all of OZU’s films, the family unit, in crisis, is portrayed, with warmth, humor, and resignation to the limit of life.

Production I.G Short Animation: The Girl from the Other Side
Touch not the Outsiders, lest ye become an Outsider. But when two creatures belonging to opposite kinds -a lost little girl from the Inside and a demonic beast-looking Outsider- initiate an impossible coexistence on the same side of the forest, their bond seems to transcend their incompatible natures and the unnamed curse that has divided the world.

Production I.G Short Animation: Drawer Hobs
Unfulfilled call-center employee Noeru lives alone in a cheap apartment in a big city. One day, without notice, her mother sends her an old and bulky chest of drawers. Not exactly the most welcome piece of furniture for Noeru’s tiny place! But from that day, breakfast is ready in the morning although she doesn’t recall of having cooked any. And the kitchen is clean and tidy instead of the usual mess. And… wait, what are those weird kids doing in her room?

Production I.G Short Animation: Li’l Spider Girl
Everything started from an old book telling the story of an expert magician who defeated a giant spider monster in ancient times. Antique book dealer Amane Suzuri, who is trying to sell the book in order to pay the rent, would have never imagined that after reading this story to Mizuki, the building owner’s young nephew, he could find himself face-to-face with a scared, twenty-centimeter-tall, eight-legged baby arachnid girl. And she’s the sweetest thing in the world… or not?

Production I.G Short Animation: KICK-HEART
Kick-Heart is a love story between Romeo, a successful pro-wrestler, and Juliet, a nun who lives a secret double-life as a female pro-wrestler. Romeo’s secret is that he enjoys taking a beating in the ring, while Juliet feels invigorated when facing her opponents as a wrestler. When the two meet in the ring, the fireworks fly. Will Juliet reveal her true identity to the one she loves? Will Romeo be able to share his secret to the world?

Production I.G Short Animation: PIGTAILS
The earth shook. The sea roared. And then…
There is a small house solitary standing by the seaside. A pigtail-braided girl has been living there alone since that fateful day. Mail is no longer delivered, but even this morning, she’s hanging out the laundry as usual.

Takeshi Yashiro Stop Motion Animation: NORMAN THE SNOWMAN-On a Night of Shooting Stars-
Tomorrow is the night of the shooting stars! A new chapter of “Norman the Snowman” begins as Norman and the Boy embark on another venture to see the star-filled sky.

Takeshi Yashiro Stop Motion Animation: NORMAN THE SNOWMAN-The Northern Light-
As the first snow falls on a town in the northern country, a boy sneaks out of his house to board a northbound train with his friend “Norman the Snowman.” They are off to witness the beautiful wonders of nature that Norman had always talked about.

Takeshi Yashiro Stop Motion Animation: Moon of a sleepless night
A squirrel and a boy set out on a journey together to restore daylight. They must find and release the moon stuck high up on a tree somewhere far, far away.