Experience Japanese Film Festival Philippines 2025 with Free Screenings Nationwide
The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is back in the Philippines this September with 12 films that highlight Japan’s timeless storytelling. From Metro Manila to Baguio, Cebu, Clark, and Davao, Filipino audiences can enjoy free screenings that celebrate the beauty of Japanese cinema.
Organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila, this year’s theme “Bridg(e)ing” invites viewers to connect across generations, cultures, and emotions. Each film reflects a bridge—between past and future, people and technology, body and spirit, and individual stories and shared experiences.
Opening the festival is the restored 4K version of Love Letter (1995), Shunji Iwai’s debut masterpiece. Known for its iconic line “Ogenki desu ka?” (“How are you?”), the film has inspired generations and continues to influence new works such as 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days (2024).
The lineup features cinematic greats across genres. Classics like Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1956), Ghost in the Shell (1995), and Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001) share the spotlight with new titles such as A Samurai in Time (2024), Cells at Work! (2024), and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom (2024).
Regional screenings begin at SM City Baguio from September 26 to October 5, followed by Cebu (October 3–13), Davao (October 10–19), Clark (October 17–26), and Manila (October 17–26). University screenings in Visayas and Mindanao will follow in November.
Supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JTI Philippines, Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolates, and the Embassy of Japan, JFF 2025 continues its mission to build bridges through cinema. Visit www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph or follow @jfmanila for details.
