- The 13th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival takes place in the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Kobayashi Hall.
- The Japanese film industry regards it as an essential platform for introducing Japanese films to a global audience.
- The film that closes the event is TAKANO TOFU, which marks the Canadian premiere of the film.
One of the biggest film festivals worldwide, the 13th annual Toronto Japanese Film Festival takes place in the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Kobayashi Hall from June 6–20. The Japanese film industry regards it as an essential platform for introducing Japanese films to a global audience.
24 films total will be shown in the 2024 edition, including the world premieres of Alice Il Shin’s LANDSCAPES OF HOME and Kosai Sekine’s mystery thriller STAY MUM, as well as Toshiyuki Teruya’s endearing comedy KANASANDO, which is set in Okinawa.
Toronto Japanese Film Festival
The film that opens on the first night is Hayato Kawai’s comedic adaptation of the 47 Ronin story DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD! Other premieres in North America include Isao Yukisada’s opulent anti-war actioner REVOLVER LILY, Sho Miyake’s poignant story of friendship amidst mental health struggles, Yoshiyuki Kishi’s winner of the Best Director and Audience Award at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival, (AB)NORMAL DESIRE, Toshiro Saiga’s lively musical comedy set among the traditional hot-spring inns of the renowned Kaga Onsen region, THE DANCING OKAMI, and Izuru Narushima’s tale of identity, loneliness, and love.
The film that closes the event is TAKANO TOFU, a touching culinary film directed by Mitsuhiro Mihara that follows the turbulent generational succession of a traditional tofu manufacturer. It marks the Canadian premiere of the film.
The 90th work of master Yoji Yamada, IS THAT YOU?!, directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, is a feel-good surrealist love comedy that opens in Canada. Other Canadian premieres include Takayuki Hamana’s humorous family anime, THE KLUTZY WITCH.
Director Keiko Tsuruoka attends the Toronto premiere of TSUGARU LACQUER GIRL, her poignant fusion of traditional arts, family strife, and the question of traditional gender roles.
A special version of the Academy Award-winning film THE BOY AND THE HERON by Hayao Miyazaki, which will include a drawing session with animation director Takeshi Honda and an introduction by composer Joe Hisaishi, as well as the motivational documentary LIFE IS CLIMBING by Sokichi Nakara, are also announced.
