Free Japanese films to be shown in theaters during Japan film fest

Japanese films are coming to cinemas across the Philippines, with 15 titles set to screen for free as part of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2026.

Running from October 1 to November 29, the festival will bring a mix of contemporary films, classics, animation, and Cinema Kabuki productions to audiences in Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.

The screenings will kick off at SM Megamall from October 1 to 4, followed by SM City Baguio from October 9 to 18. 

SM City Manila and SM City Cebu will host screenings from October 16 to 25. In November, the festival will continue at SM City Iloilo from November 6 to 15 and SM Lanang from November 13 to 22. 

The final run will take place at SM CDO Downtown Premiere and SM City North EDSA from November 20 to 29. Full screening schedules for each city are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Organized by the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM), JFF 2026 features a lineup that covers different genres and styles of Japanese cinema, from contemporary films and classics to animation. 

Among the featured titles are Lee Sang-il’s “Kokuho” and “Hula Girls” -4K Remastered-, Iizuka Kasho’s “Blue Boy Trial,” “The Girl Who Sees,” as well as  “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” and Studio Ghibli’s “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.” 

Other titles in the lineup include “Tokyo Taxi,” “Under Ninja,” “Renoir, Kono Basho,” “School Meals Time: School Excursion Inferno,” “You, Fireworks, and Our Promise,” and Akira Kurosawa’s “Throne of Blood.” 

The lineup also features the Cinema Kabuki productions “Renjishi (The Father and Son Shishi Lions)” and “KABUKI「KAZE NO TANI NO NAUSICAÄ - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Part 1 & Part 2.”

Synopses, cast details, and genres for the featured titles are available on the official JFF website.

This year’s festival carries the theme “Shared Treasure. Shared Stories,” celebrating films, traditions, memories, and human experiences that bring people together across generations and borders. 

The 2026 edition also marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of Philippine-Japan diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of The Japan Foundation, Manila.

Select movies will have talkback sessions where directors and producers can interact with audiences and share more about their work.