Cellist Damodar Das Castillo, conductor Alexander Vikulov headline MSO's Tchaikovsky overload concert

A concert filled to the brim with Tchaikovsky music goodness is set to wrap up September as the Manila Symphony Orchestra presents Dancing with Tchaikovsky happening on September 27, 2025, 7:30 PM at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

Presented by the MSO Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance, in partnership with EastWest Bank, this concert will feature Russian Romanticism at its core with timeless tunes composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky namely the Festival Coronation March in D major, Variations on a Rococo Theme, and the Sleeping Beauty Dance Suite.

Damodar Das Castillo

Performing the cello solo for the Rococo Variations is Damodar Das Castillo. He is a top prizewinner of five international competitions including The Young Musician (Tallinn, 2019), the International Anton Rubinstein Competition (Düsseldorf, 2020), The Young Ludwig Competition (Berlin, 2020), the Vienna International Music Competition (2020), and Musica Goritiensis (Italy, 2021), Damodar Das Castillo is one of the most promising young cellists today. He studied at the Pre-College of Mozarteum University Salzburg under Prof. Barbara Lübke-Herzl and, as a scholar of the MSJO–Standard Insurance International Scholarship Program, he performs on a George Gerl cello

Alexander Vikulov

Frequent Manila visitor and Manila Symphony Orchestra collaborator Alexander Vikulov takes to the podium as guest conductor Born in Saint Petersburg to renowned ballet dancers Sergey Vikulov and Tatiana Udalenkova, Vikulov has built an international career that bridges opera, ballet, and symphonic music. Since his 2002 Mariinsky Theater debut with Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, he has conducted at the Vienna State Opera, Finnish National Opera, Seoul Arts Center, Teatro Regio di Torino, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Currently permanent guest conductor of the Saint Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra “Klassika” and musical director at Manila’s Star and Aliw Theaters, Vikulov continues to unite cultures through the universal language of music. Damodar Das Castillo, cello

The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), founded in 1926 by Alexander Lippay, is one of Asia’s oldest orchestras and the Philippines’ longest surviving artistic institution. A symbol of resistance during World War II, the MSO has since collaborated with legends under the batons of Andre Kostelanetz, Arthur Fiedler, Mendi Rodan, Robert Feist, Gareth Nair, Helen Quach, and Eduard Strauss II. Antonio Molina, Antonino Buenaventura, Lucio San Pedro, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, and Ryan Cayabyab have also graced its stage.

Now nearing its 100th year in 2026, the MSO remains one of the country’s most active artistic institutions, presenting world-class performances and nurturing young Filipino talent under Marlon Chen (Music Director) and Jeffrey Solares (Associate Conductor).

PPO reprises UK Tour program in "Le Retour" season concert

A week after championing romantic pieces at the season opening concert, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra harkens back to its UK Tour last May with its second concert of the season happening on September 19, 2025, 7:30 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

With PPO Music Director and Principal Conductor Grzegorz Nowak at the helm, the PPO reprises pieces performed at the tour like Georges Bizet's Carmen Suite No. 1, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Waltz from Swan Lake Suite, and Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67.

The concert, billed as Le Retour, also sees PPO's concertmaster and artist-in-residence Diomedes Saraza, Jr. as the featured soloist in Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines' President, Kaye C. Tinga announced in her welcome remarks at the opening concert that the PPO is slated once again to go on tour towards the end of the current season buoyed by the success of its UK Tour over the summer.

Reprinted below is the press release for the PPOs' Concert II: Le Retour

PPO serenades Filipinos with UK Tour repertoire in Concert II: Le Retour

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) reprises the repertoire from its successful tour across the United Kingdom (UK) in CONCERT II: LE RETOUR, slated on September 19, 2025, at 7:30 PM, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City.

Revisiting British classics in PPO’s Concert II: Le Retour

Led by the commanding Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, Concert II: Le Retour ushers in the brilliance of the PPO with their iteration of Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1. To familiarize himself with the sounds of southern Spain in the early 19th century, Bizet went to great lengths in constructing the world he borrowed from Prosper Mérimée’s novella of the same name.

Bizet, however, passed three months after the premiere of Carmen. Unbeknownst to him, his friend Ernest Guiraud compiled the opera’s remarkable moments into two orchestral suites.

PPO’s Concert II: Le Retour sustains its beautiful momentum with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending. Inspired by George Meredith’s poem of the same title, Vaughan Williams creates the vivid image of a soaring lark through his melodies. Diomedes Saraza, Jr., PPO’s very own guest concertmaster and artist-in-residence, performs the solo violin that had captivated hearts in the UK.

Composed before World War I, Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending portrays a simpler England, one devoid of war and industrial change. It was received with admiration after Marie Hall played the violin under the guidance of conductor Adrian Boult in 1921. Over time, it evolved to be one of the most beloved British classics.

With Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite: Waltz, the PPO continues its excellent display of Filipino artistry in Concert II: Le Retour. Arguably among the most well-known orchestra pieces, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake: Waltz draws elements from the Russian and German folklore of a young princess transforming into a swan.

When Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered in 1877, its production was uninspired and underwhelming. Later in 1895, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov gave the ballet a new choreography attuned to the intricacy of Tchaikovsky’s music.

PPO’s Concert II: Le Retour concludes the night with an exhilarating rendition of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5, op.67, C minor. Beethoven had already begun composing his Fifth Symphony as early as 1804. Often interpreted as “fate knocking on the door,” the piece’s four-note opening motif has been referenced across musical genres as it elaborates on human perseverance in the face of adversity.

A glimpse into the PPO’s UK tour

“The UK tour proved that Filipino musicians are truly world-class, and are on par with the very best orchestras in the world,” said Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President Kaye C. Tinga proudly.

The conclusion of PPO’s remarkable tour in the UK is clear proof of Filipino artistry. Despite standing on unfamiliar stages, the orchestra relayed its unparalleled commitment to music to global audiences. PPO’s same brand of versatility, as presented in its repertoire in the UK, will be revisited in Concert II: Le Retour.

Witness PPO’s world-class renditions of British classics in Concert II: Le Retour on September 19, 2025, in the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City. PPO’s 41st concert season, dubbed Versatile, runs until April 2026.

Tickets for PPO concerts are priced at Php3,000, Php2,500, Php2,000, Php1,500, Php800, and Php500, available at TicketWorld. For an exclusive 25 percent discount, be a PPO subscriber. Email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call the CCP Box Office at +63931-033-0880 to purchase a PPO’s 41st concert season subscription.

For more updates on PPO’s 41st Concert Season: Versatile, visit the CCP’s website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). You may also follow the CCP’s official pages on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more information.

Cinemalaya 21: Sailing to the Shang's Red Carpet Cinemas this October

For the past two decades, the Cinemalaya has been the trailblazing film festival that has championed Philippine independent cinema. But it hasn't always been smooth sailing for this beloved film festival with its share of challenges, controversies, and notorious washouts. This year is no exception as Cinemalaya was almost on the brink of "capsizing" as Festival Director Chris Millado put it. But it has regained stability and righted itself buoyed by the collective efforts of the Cinemalaya Foundation, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Now, on its 21st edition, Cinemalaya will set sail once again, albeit a couple of months later than usual, from October 3 to 12, 2025 at its new home, The Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza.

Having sailed through turbulent seas, blustering winds, and tempestuous storms, Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival adopts the theme Cinemalaya 21: Layag sa Alon, Hangin, at Unos for this edition. As always, 10 full-length (from 190 entries) and 10 short films (from 336 submissions) will be in competition hoping to win a Balanghai trophy or two... or even more.

Listed below are the finalists of the Short Film Category.

Ascension from the Office Cubicle

Director: Hannah Silvestre

Cast: Ginger Nolasco, Dads Valencia

Thelma, an exploited call center agent, grows increasingly enamored by the late night host of the local lottery draw.

Figat

Director: Handiong Kapuno

Cast: Aeoli Siagan, Tiffany Pagigian;

While the world is lost in screens, a young Kalinga girl - untouched by the pull of technology - brings a handmade instrument to class, carrying the voice of her ancestors and inspiring a quiet yet powerful return to cultural pride.

Hasang

Director: Daniel de la Cruz

Cast: Igan James Nualda

One summer, a young boy witnesses his grandmother slowly transforming into a tilapia.

I'm Best Left Inside My Head

Director: Elian Idioma

Cast: Elian Idioma, Lau Cortes, Aj Prudenciado, Glemuel Rigo, Romnic

Calosor, Andrea Idioma;

Alec Dominguez, a 20 something year old multi talented, multi-awarded-golden-boy- adopted by-the–owners–of–gay-philantrophists has a reunion with his old buddies from his original home, The Dominguez Orphanage.

Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit

Director: Marie Estela Paiso

Cast: Leonardo Cuaresma, Joel Elejorde, Luis Fontilla, Ranel Madela, Rea Jane Realizo, Noraiza Alog, Moises Dulatre, Sylvia Reyes, Maria Estela Paiso

A young girl turns into a fish and recounts the territorial aggression being experienced by the fisherfolk in her hometown Zambales.

Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman Sang Lawod

Director: Seth Andrew Blanca

Cast: Ryan Galleca, Lheo Fernando Fonseca, Anthony Ken Bucasas, Seth Andrew Blanca, Ma. Erica Seidel, Eddie Odicta Jr., Giovani Borja, Elester Saquilabon, Winston Farinas

In his desperation to send money to his girlfriend, a debt-stricken seafarer takes his superior’s help, only to sense an unknown presence tightening its hold on him.

The Next 24 Hours

Director: Carl Joseph Papa

Cast: Christela Marquez

After a sexual assault, a young woman navigates a cold and bureaucratic system over the course of 24 hours, fighting to reclaim her safety and sanity while battling the manipulations of her assailant.

Please Keep This Copy

Director: Miguel Lorenzo Peralta

Cast: Class of M2017, Teachers of M2017

Across a white void, old pages come to life and speak. A cacophony of archival voices of rebellious youth in a private all-boys Catholic high school during a moment of political turmoil breaks through, seeking liberation as lines break out of formation and colored ink spills out of the pages.

Radikals

Director: Arvin Belarmino

Cast: Elora Españo, Timothy Castillo, Ross Pesigan

A young rookie from a bizarre chicken-dance group faces a heckler after being the worst dancer at a performance -- leading him to a series of strange events that reveal what the group does to their weakest link.

Water Sports

Director: Whammy Alcazaren

Cast: Elijah Canlas, Renz Javier, Bon Lentejas, Ricky Davao

Two sad boys harness the power of their love in an attempt to survive a world devastated by climate change.

Down below are the finalists of the Full-Length Feature category.

Bloom Where You are Planted

Director: Nonilon Abao

Three land rights activists contend with their volatile notions of home amid terror and red-tagging in Cagayan Valley.

Child No. 82

Director: Tim Rone Villanueva

Cast: JM Ibarra, Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap, Vhong Navarro, Irma Adlawan, Inah Evans, Zairene Fernandez, Dexter Doria, Kai Montinola

At a wake, a persevering high school student must prove that he is the 82nd child of the Philippines’ biggest action-fantasy movie star in the hopes of seeing his late father one last time.

Cinemartyrs

Director: Sari Dalena

Cast: Nour Hooshmand, Paul Cedric Juan, Raquel Villavicencio, Angel Aquino, Lav Diaz, Kidlat Tahimik, Ligaya Amilbangsa, Soliman Cruz, Bong Cabrera, Laila Ulao, Giancarlo Abrahan, Iana Bernardez, Nor Domingo, Danny Palisa, Andre Miguel, Victor Medina, Yian Gabriel, Kobe Sanchez, Shane Bernabe, Roven Alejandro, Nelson Dino, Rob Rownd, Dax Alejandro, Air Salazar, Dexter Macaraeg, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Rolando Inocencio

Recreating forgotten massacres from Philippine history, a young filmmaker begins shooting at a site where 1,000 men, women, and children were slaughtered. But the angry spirits are awakened and the lives of her team and the local villagers are put in peril.

Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan

Director: Dustin Celestino

Cast: Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Zanjoe Marudo, Mylene Dizon

Four Filipinos confront the slow erasure of memory and truth in a country devoured by disinformation.

Open Endings

Directors: Nigel Santos, Keavy Vicente

Cast: Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, Leanne Mamonong, Jasmine Curtis-Smith

Four queer women in their 30s who are exes-turned-best-friends navigate adulthood, love, friendship, chosen families, and everything in between.

Padamlágan

Director: Jenn Romano

Cast: Ely Buendia, Esteban Mara, Sue Prado, Floyd Tena, Mildren Anne Estela, Frank Peñones

Five days before the proclamation of Martial Law, the Colgante Bridge collapsed in Naga, forcing a father into a desperate search for his missing son.

Paglilitis

Directors: Cheska Marfori, Raymund Barcelon

Cast: Rissey Reyes-Robinson, Eula Valdez, Leo Martinez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Sid Lucero, Bombi Plata, Rolando Inocencio, Cherry Malvar, Barbara Miguel

Years after experiencing sexual harassment at her workplace, a former executive assistant is persuaded by a passionate lawyer to file a case against her rich and highly respected boss.

Raging

Director: Ryan Machado

Cast: Elijah Canlas, Ron Angeles, Reynald Raisel Santos, Glenn Sevilla Mas

A young man's quest for truth and justice interwines with a plane crash mystery, uncovering a sinister plot that propels his desire to be heard but also threatens his community.

Republika ng Pipolipinas

Director: Renei Dimla

Cast: Geraldine Villamil, Alessandra de Rossi, Kakki Teodoro, Natalie Maligalig, JM Salvado, Bon Lentejas, Lian Silverio, Shun Mark Gomez, Mitzi Comia, Yian Gabriel, Brylle Parzuelo, Sigrid Polon, Sisa Bernardo, Antonio Vasquez, Xiao Chua, Chad Kinis

When the local government threatens to evict her from her own land, a farmer renounces her Filipino citizenship and builds her own micronation.

Warla

Director: Kevin Alambra

Cast: Jervi Wrightson, Lance Reblando, Serena Magiliw, Valeria Ortega, Jacky Woo, Dimples Romana

Kitkat, a 19-year-old transgender woman, finds the family she’s been longing for in a gang of sisters who kidnap foreign men to fund their gender-affirming surgeries, until their crimes force her to question the true cost of belonging.

Full-Length Filmmakers at the Cinemalaya Press Conference

Cinemalaya Film Institute (CFI) President Laurice Guillen also announced the formation of the Cinemalaya Club, an avenue for the audience to give helpful feedback that can assist in the growth of the festival as it sails further.

Running concurrently is the 37th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in Southeast Asia. Films compete in categories such as Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation.

While the Red Carpet Cinemas at the Shangri-La Plaza serve as Cinemalaya 21's main hub, there will be screenings as well at Ayala Malls and at Gateway Cinemas expanding the reach of the festival even as the CCP Main Building continues its years long main rehabilitation.

For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org). Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages and other social media accounts on X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Restored "Love Letter", other films that connect at the Japanese Film Festival this September

The Japan Foundation, Manila is thrilled to announce the return of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) to Philippine theaters this September 2025!

From Metro Manila and Baguio, to Cebu, Angeles, and Davao, JFF is back with a curated selection of 12 films–featuring beloved classics alongside critically acclaimed new releases. Admission is free for all screenings.

Since its inception in 1997, JFF has grown into one of the most anticipated film festivals in the country, attracting around 40,000 audiences every year, and has become the largest Japanese film festival in the world. This year’s lineup offers something for everyone; timeless romances, laugh-out-loud comedies, and monumental blockbusters!

The theme for this year's festival is “Bridg(e)ing”. Films that serve as metaphorical bridges connecting the past with the future, humans with technology, body with spirit, and individual stories with community experiences. We hope that this year’s lineup will inspire people to build bridges rather than walls and connect with each other.

Opening the festival is the 4K remaster of Love Letter, Shunji Iwai’s acclaimed directorial debut and a timeless masterpiece of romance. Screened in over 20 countries since its release, Love Letter is celebrated for its breathtaking snowy landscapes and the unforgettable line, Ogenki desu ka? (“How are you?”). Its influence and homage can be clearly felt in 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days, a Taiwan-Japan co-production directed by Michihito Fujii.

Audiences can also look forward to a selection of masterpieces spanning genres and generations, including Akira Kurosawa’s SEVEN SAMURAI, the animated cult classic GHOST IN THE SHELL, Hayao Miyazaki’s SPIRITED AWAY, A SAMURAI IN TIME, the live-action adaptation of Cells at Work!, and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, among others.

Below are more details of all the films included in the lineup

Love Letter (1995)

"LOVE LETTER" Written and Directed by Shunji lwai
©︎ Fuji Television Network,Inc.

Director: Iwai Shunji

Cast: Nakayama Miho, Toyokawa Etsushi, Sakai Miki, Kashiwabara Takahashi, Han Bunjaku, Shinohara Katsuyuki, Kaga Mariko

A Timeless Masterpiece of Romance Returns in Stunning 4K! Two years after losing her fiancé, Hiroko Watanabe (Miho Nakayama) discovers her fiancé’s old yearbook and sends a letter to his former address in Otaru… only to receive an unexpected reply, from a woman with the same name as her late fiancé. This connection unearths memories and reveals two long buried romances. Set against the snowy beauty of Otaru, Love Letter is a poignant tale of love, loss, and remembrance, with Nakayama delivering a moving dual performance.

18x2 Beyond Youthful Days | 青春18x2 君へと続く道 (2024)

© 2024 "18x2 Beyond Youthful Days" Film Partners

Director: Fujii Michihito

Cast: Hsu Kuang Han, Kiyohara Kaya, Joseph Chang, Michieda Shunsuke

This Japan-Taiwan co-production is a teen romance based on the travelogue essays "Youth 18×2” that made a splash in Taiwan. Script and direction by Fujii Michihito.

Taiwanese high school student Jimmy (Hsu Kuanghan) and Japanese backpacker Ami (Kiyohara Kaya) meet and fall in love. But when Ami has to suddenly return to Japan, she proposes a “certain promise” to the devastated Jimmy. Eighteen years later, Jimmy heads to Japan to fulfill the promise they made that day.

The Boy and the Dog | 少年と犬 (2025)

©2025 “The Boy and the Dog” Film Partners.

Director: Zeze Takahisa

Cast: Takahashi Fumiya,Nishino Nanase

Kazumasa is desperately struggling to earn a living having lost his job. Months after the Great East Japan Earthquake he is met by Tamon a stray dog and a welcome breath of fresh air for everyone but the dog’s sudden disappearance one night causes everyone to confront their own shortcomings. It sends Kazumasa off in search of Tamon and leads him to Miwa with struggles of her own when the two realize their dog is also trying to make its way home.

Cells at Work! | はたらく細胞 (2024)

©AKANE SHIMIZU/KODANSHA
©SHIGEMITSU HARADA, ISSEY HATSUYOSHIYA,
AKANE SHIMIZU/KODANSHA
©2024 “CELLS AT WORK!” FILM PARTNERS

Director: Takeuchi Hideki

Cast: Nagano Mei, Satoh Takeru

Ever wondered what’s going on with the intricate workings inside your body? This live-action take on the hit manga series Cells at Work! reimagines the human body as a bustling metropolis populated by 37 trillion cells. A rookie red blood cell and a ruthless white blood/Neutrophil cell are just two inhabitants of high schooler Niko’s body, and the duo must fight together to keep their human alive—one immune system emergency and bacterial invasion at a time! Quirky, and over-the-top, this chaotic adventure follows the shenanigans of the microscopic crews inside Niko’s body, as they work tirelessly to keep her going.

Evil Does Not Exist | 悪は存在しない (2023)

© 2023 NEOPA, Fictive

Director: Hamaguchi Ryusuke

Cast: Omika Hitoshi, Nishikawa Ryo, Kosaka Ryuji, Shibutani Ayaka, Kikuchi Hazuki, Miura Hiroyuki

Takumi and his daughter Hana live in Mizubiki Village, close to Tokyo. Like generations before them, they live a modest life according to the cycles and order of nature. One day, the village inhabitants become aware of a plan to build a glamping site near Takumi’s house; offering city residents a comfortable ‘escape’ to nature. When two company representatives from Tokyo arrive in the village to hold a meeting, it becomes clear that the project will have a negative impact on the local water supply, causing unrest. The agency’s mismatched intentions endanger both the ecological balance of the nature plateau and their way of life, with an aftermath that affects Takumi’s life.

Ghost in the Shell | 攻殻機動隊 (1995)

©1995 Shirow Masamune/
KODANSHA・BANDAI VISUAL・MANGA ENTERTAINMENT.
All Rights Reserved.

Director: Oshii Mamoru

Cast: Tanaka Atsuko, Otsuka Akio, Yamadera Koichi

In 2029, the onset of information technology and rise of sophisticated cybercrime has led to the formation of a team of elite cyborg operatives, a “Shell Squad” officially known as Public Security Section 9. Their leader, Major Motoko Kusanagi, tracks a mysterious hacker known only as the “Puppet Master” who operates in the deepest parts of cyberspace. First released in 1995 from the manga series by SHIROW Masamune, the introspective and action-packed GHOST IN THE SHELL asks what it means to be human.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM | 機動戦士ガンダムSEED FREEDOM (2024)

© SOTSU・SUNRISE

Director: Fukuda Mitsuo

Cast: Hoshi Soichiro, Tanaka Rie

Latest entry in the "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Series." Set in the Cosmic Era (C.E.), the story depicts the battle between humans with genetically enhanced physical and mental abilities from birth (Coordinators) and naturally born humans (Naturals). The year is C.E. 75. COMPASS has been established as a world peace monitoring organization to counter the invasion by Blue Cosmos, which calls for the expulsion of Coordinators. COMPASS member Kira Yamato and others join the fight.

A Samurai in Time | 侍タイムスリッパー (2024)

© 2024 MIRAIEIGASHA

Director: Yasuda  Junichi

Cast: Yamaguchi Makiya, Fuke Norimasa, Sakura Yuno

At the end of the Edo period in Kyoto, during a stormy night a samurai prepares to fight against a ronin, when a flash of lighting hits and when he wakes up to find himself in a different time. He has been transported through time to the present day and the location where he was about to duel is now a film set for jidaigeki TV shows and movies. Still in his samurai clothes he is mistaken for an extra and immediately thrust into the world of jidaigeki productions. Due to his very ‘authentic’ look and speech, he starts working on many productions and finds himself playing the role of a “kirareyaku”, a swordsman whose job is to die spectacularly on film

Seven Samurai | 七人の侍 (1954)

©1954 Toho Co., LTD

Director: Kurosawa Akira

Cast: Mifune Toshiro, Shimura Takahashi

KUROSAWA Akira’s 1954 classic SEVEN SAMURAI tells the tale of feudal class and warfare in ancient Japan. A village under fi re from bandits calls on seven swordsmen wandering the countryside to help rid them of marauders threatening to destroy their village. With the aid of the elder samurai SHIMADA Kanbei and six other fellow mercenaries with no status or income, the village prepares to battle the anonymous threat on horseback while battling the bitterness they keep for their hired swordsmen.

Showtime 7 | ショウタイムセブン (2025)

©2025 SHOWTIME 7 Film Partners.

Director: Watanabe  Kazutaka

Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Ryusei Ryo, Nukumi Meru

Once the face of the prime time news program Showtime 7, Shinnosuke Orimoto was a national news anchor until mysteriously being forced to step down from his position. Now relegated to a late-night radio gig, he receives an ominous call from a stranger warning of an imminent bomb threat, and jumps at the chance to relive his glory days as a newscaster. But when the incident spirals into a high-stakes negotiation, Orimoto must tread carefully—or face explosive consequences. Every second matters in this fast-paced suspense thriller, based on the South Korean box office hit The Terror Live.

Spirited Away | 千と千尋の神隠し (2001)

©2001 Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDTM

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Cast: Hiiragi Rumi, Irino Miyu, Natsuki Mari, Naito Tsuyoshi, Sawaguchi Yasuko, Sugawara Bunta

While relocating to their new home in another town, Chihiro and her parents come across a mysterious tunnel. They pass through it to fi nd a vast grassy hill, and beyond, a shopping arcade of sorts. It is a world which humans were not meant to enter. Chihiro’s parents eat food left on a shop counter without permission, and are turned into pigs. Left alone, Chihiro is forced to obey two conditions in order to survive: she must work for the witch Yubaba, and have her name taken away, which severs her from the world of humans. She begins working at a bathhouse under the name Sen, where she is aided by Haku, Lin, Kamaji and others, while gradually regaining the strength to live on.

Teasing Master Takagi-san | 映画 からかい上手の高木さん (2024)

©2024 “Teasing Master Takagi-san” Film Partners
©Soichiro Yamamoto/Shogakukan

Director: Imaizumi Rikiya

Cast: Nagano Mei, Takahashi Fumiya

Based on the original graphic novel “Karakai Jōzu no Takagi-san” created by Soichiro Yamamoto, published by Shogakukan Inc.

Nishikata, a physical education teacher at a middle school on a small island, receives a phone call from an ex school-mate Takagi-san, who moved to Paris 10 years ago. When Nishikata was attending middle school, he was always teased by Takagi-san. One day, the vice principal of the school, appoints Nishikata to be in charge of the teacher trainee. After school, when Nishikata returns to the classroom and opens the door to the cleaning supplies compartment, Takagi-san jumps out from inside. From this moment, the time between the two of them, which had stopped since the summer of their junior high school, begins to move…

JFF 2025 kicks off in Manila at the Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema starting September 18 and will continue into the regions. The regional run begins September 26 in SM City Baguio, followed by screenings at SM City Cebu, SM City Lanang, and SM City Clark. The festival then returns to Manila for screenings at the UP Film Institute, and concludes at SM City Manila.

This year, JFF is expanding its reach by bringing films directly to university campuses. JFF Special Screenings @ Universities will take place in November at selected institutions across parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

JFF 2025 is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JTI Philippines, Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolates and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

For full schedules, ticketing guidelines, and venue details, Please visit the official JFF 2025 website (http://www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph) or follow @jfmanila on Facebook and instagram