Journey Through Japan on Screen in Manila Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2025

Presented by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan and Japan Film Commission
in cooperation with The Japan Foundation
Project Purpose
Journey Through Japan on Screen is a project under the Agency of Cultural Affairs initiative, the FY2024 “Project to Promote Japanese Culture and Arts through Internationally Co-Produced Film and Other Media.” This project aims to screen Japanese films in ASEAN countries and organize tourism promotion events that highlight the diverse charms of Japan, including its scenery, local specialties, culture, and arts related to the films. This year, the event will take place in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, as a special feature of the Japanese Film Festival organized by The Japan Foundation. A variety of on-site events will be held, including screenings of four Japanese films, post-screening Q&A sessions with directors, introductions to filming locations, and the distribution of specialty products from different regions of Japan.
Event Summary
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- Project Title: FY2024 “Project to Promote Japanese Culture and Arts through Internationally Co-Produced Film and Other Media”
- Sponsor: Agency of Cultural Affairs
- Co-Sponsor: Japan Film Commission
- In Cooperation with The Japan Foundation
- Event Dates: Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2025
- Event Name: “Journey Through Japan on Screen” in Manila 2025
- Event Location: Manila, Philippines
- Venue: Screening at Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza 6th floor
Shang Central, Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
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Film Screening Programs
1:30 p.m.- Saturday, February 15
Komada - A Whisky Family (2023 /91 min/ Japan)Director: YOSHIHARA Masayuki
Writers: KIZAWA Yukito, NAKAMOTO Muneo
Studio: P.A. WORKS
Cast: HAYAMI Saori, ONO Kensho, HOSOYA Yoshimasa
A feature-length animation about globally-renowned Japanese whisky brought to you by P.A. WORKS, the animation studio behind Hanasaku Iroha and Shirobako.
Kotaro, a novice editor for a web news, visits Komada Distillery for a project on Japanese craft whisky. Led by a young female president Rui who recently took over the family business, the distillery works hard to reproduce its signature whisky KOMA they had to stop making years ago. KOMA was a brand that Rui’s family had lovingly preserved over generations and a symbol of happiness for all. However, not to mention financial backing, too many clues are missing to revive the whisky once lost. Rui, Kotaro, and the distillery supporters pull together every thread to bring back the whisky filled with family memories.
Copyright: ©2023 KOMA Revival Supporters / DMM.com
4:00 p.m.- Saturday, February 15
DitO(2024 / 118 min./ Japan, Philippines)
Director: YUKI Takashi
Writer: QURATA Kenji
Cast: YUKI Takashi, TANABE Momoko, ONO Machiko, Mon CONFIADO, Buboy VILLIAR, Manny PACQUIAO
Professional boxer KAMIYAMA Eiji (YUKI Takashi) had been attempting a comeback in the Philippines but hit 40 without a fight. Suddenly, his daughter Momoko (TANABE Momoko) arrives with news of her mother's death. Disturbed by their reunion, Momoko and Eiji start an awkward life together, seeking what it means to be a parent and child. Miraculously granted a fight, Eiji decides to battle for their own place in the world. This story portrays the growth and existence of a "parent" and "child," set against the backdrop of boxing.
Copyright: ©DitO × KURUWA_Film
Q&A session
Guest: YUKI Takashi(Director), Mikael JOAQUIN(Director/Screenwriter/Producer)
YUKI Takashi
Born on March 24, 1976, in Miyagi Prefecture, YUKI Takashi made his acting debut in 2001 with the NHK morning drama Churasan. In 2011, he established the production company KURUWA.LLC and has since produced numerous films and music videos. As an actor, he starred in the award-winning film The Voice of Ovo (2018, directed by Takashi Saito), which received the Excellence Award at the 1st Matsuda Yusaku Awards. His other notable works include Khaosan Tango (2020, directed by Kim Bumsam) and Lovers on the Verge (2021, directed by Guo Chendi). YUKI also stars as a key cast member in the original drama series The Man Called Owl, exclusively streamed on Disney+ starting April 24.
Mikael JOAQUIN
Mikael Joaquin (b. 1999) is a Filipino director and producer based in Bolinao, Pangasinan. In his films, he pays homage to his roots as an Ilocano filmmaker. He features narratives inspired by local folktales that deal about personal memories and dreams. He re-examines and challenges the barriers between reality and fantasy through his stories.
In 2021, his first short film, Naraniag A Bulan, was selected at the Qcinema International Film Festival under Short Shorts Category and had received several awards from Sundayag Film Festival where he won Best Director, Jury Prize and Best Film. In 2023, his second short film Makoko sa Baybay was selected in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and bagged the award for Best Director. Recently, he developed his first full-length feature Midnight Crisis in the Singapore International Film Festival.
1:30 p.m.- Sunday, February 16th
The Dancing Okami (2024/ 108min./ Japan)
Director: SAIGA Toshiro
Writers: WATANABE Noriko, SAIGA Toshiro
Cast: KOSHIBA Fuka
This film is inspired by the true story of a promotional team for Kaga Onsen formed by its Okami, the proprietresses of Japanese inns, ten years ago.
HIGUCHI Yuka (KOSHIBA Fuka) is a novice Okami who forms a tap dancing team to liven up her hot spring resort. Yuka works up a sweat with her tap dancing innkeeper teammates and discovers the true meaning of hospitality, along with her own hidden strength that can overcome anything thrown her way. As can be expected of KOSHIBA Fuka, an actress in high demand for her bubbly smile and acting ability, this heroine is all smiles and energy the entire way.
Copyright: ©The Dancing Okami Film Partners
4:15 p.m.- Sunday, February 16th
My Sunshine (2024/ 90 min./ Japan)
Director/Writer: OKUYAMA Hiroshi
Cast: KOSHIYAMA Keitatsu, IKEMATSU Sosuke, NAKANISHI Kiara, WAKABA Ryuya
On a Japanese island, life revolves around the changing seasons. Winter is time for ice hockey at school, but Takuya (KOSHIYAMA Keitatsu) isn't too thrilled about it. His real interest lies in Sakura (Kiara Takanashi), a figure skating rising star from Tokyo, for whom he starts to develop a genuine fascination. Coach and former champion Arakawa (IKEMATSU Sosuke), spots potential in Takuya, and decides to mentor him to form a duo with Sakura for an upcoming competition. As winter persists, feelings grow, and the two children form a harmonious bond. But even the first snow eventually melts away. Director OKUYAMA Hiroshi won the 66th San Sebastian International Film Festival New Directors Award with his first ever feature-length film Jesus (2019). My Sunshine marks his second feature-length film and commercial debut, where he served as director, writer, and cinematographer.
Copyright: © 2024 "BOKU NO OHISAMA" Production Committee & COMME DES CINEMAS
Guests: OKUYAMA Hiroshi (Director), Brillante MENDOZA (Director)

Screening tickets are free of charge (service fee of PhP35.00 will be required).
Tickets will be available from Feb.4th.
Book your tickets from below. You will be seated on first-come-first served basis.
Japan Day
The screenings will be held in conjunction with JAPAN DAY, an event introducing and sharing the charms of the locations and local products as featured in the films, with the courtesy of local governments and tourism-related organizations. There will be panel exhibition of film locations and free give aways from various exhibitors!
Press release as of Jan.20th: Download from here
Contact:
Japan Film Commission
2F, Togeki Bldg.,4-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
Tel: +81-3-6264-2042 Fax: +81-3-6264-2043
Yumiko Kimura kimura@japanfc.org
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