The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2025 returns with a monster lineup of films led by Academy Award® winner Godzilla Minus One.
Presented by the Japan Foundation Manila, JFF 2025 will open at Red Carpet Cinema at the Shangri-La Plaza on January 30, 2025 and will have subsequent screenings in Manila, Baguio, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao.
“In Zen Buddhism there is a word satori which means a sudden awakening or enlightenment,” says festival director Yojiro Tanaka. “Satori is the perfect word to describe this year’s lineup of films, whether it’s the profound awakening of the characters in the movie or the feeling that the audience will get after watching. We hope that the audience will enjoy what we have prepared, and at the same time spark something new in them.”
The opening film Godzilla Minus One is hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all time. Directed by renowned Japanese filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, the film features both poignant storytelling, and awe-inspiring visuals that is best enjoyed on the big screen.
Another notable inclusion in this year’s lineup is Sand Land, the pinnacle of the Akira Toriyama universe. Creator of the legendary Dragon Ball series, Akira Toriyama sadly passed away in 2024 leaving a monumental legacy in the world of anime and manga. Sand Land (2023) is one of his best works with some praising it as a "masterpiece of utter perfection.” This film is the long-awaited movie adaptation of the manga that condenses Akira Toriyama’s full-blown world of unique, humorous, and friendly characters, mechanical design, wrapped in an expertly written adventure story.
Audiences can also look forward to the best and latest movies straight from Japan including Perfect Days, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, Let’s Go Karaoke!, Matched, and the recently remastered version of the animated cult-classic Akira .
JFF 2025 is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JT International (Philippines) Inc., and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. Admission is free for all screenings but a convenience fee may apply for tickets procured online.
Walk-in guests are welcome if seats are still unoccupied. Please bear in mind that seats are limited and are not guaranteed. Please visit the official JFF 2025 website for our complete ticketing guidelines.
For more information on the festival’s full film lineup, ticketing guidelines, and complete screening schedules, please visit www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph or follow the Japan Foundation, Manila and JFF on social media.
Japanese Film Festival 2025 lineup in detail:
Akira/アキラ (1988)
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| ©1988 MASH • ROOM/AKIRA COMMITTEE All Rights Reserved. |
Director: Otomo Katsuhiro
Cast: Iwata Mitsuo, Sasaki Nozomu, Koyama Mami
Based on the graphic novel “Akira” by Otomo Katsuhiro.
First published by “Young Magazine”, Kodansha Ltd.
July, 1988— World War III breaks loose. Then, in 2019, in megalopolis Tokyo...
As the leader of a group of young robust delinquents, Kaneda spent his nights tearing through the urban wastes, racing his motorbike against rival groups. One night while riding with his gang, his friend Tetsuo suddenly encounters a strange boy - the product of human experimentation - and is injured in the ensuing crash. Shortly thereafter, a military squadron appears to take the boy and Tetsuo away to an army research facility. Determined to free Tetsuo from capture, Kaneda sneaks into the army research lab. However, a regimen of extreme experimental procedures has awakened a new power in his friend, and now he is consumed by madness.
DitO/ディト (2024)
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| © DitO Production Commitee by Jumpei Tainaka |
Director: Yuki Takashi
Cast: Yuki Takashi, Tanabe Momoko, Ono Machiko
A stunning human drama depicting the growth and bond between a father and daughter who find "DitO," a place to live in the present, in a foreign land.
Leaving his wife and children behind in Japan, professional boxer Eiji Kamiyama is trying to make a comeback in a foreign land, the Philippines. One day, his only daughter Momoko appears in front of Kamiyama. Reunited, father and daughter clash but gradually deepen their bond. Meanwhile, Kamiyama, who has just turned 40, receives an offer for his last chance at a match.
Godzilla Minus One/ゴジラ-1.0 (2023)
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| © 2023 TOHO CO., LTD. |
Director: Yamazaki Takashi
Cast: Kamiki Ryunosuke, Hamabe Minami, Yamada Yuki, Aoki Munetaka, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Ando Sakura, Sasaki Kuranosuke
Godzilla Minus One, an Academy Award® winner – Best Visual Effects, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Godzilla series, stars Kamiki Ryunosuke, Hamabe Minami, Yamada Yuki, Aoki Munetaka, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Ando Sakura and Sasaki Kuranosuke.
A guilt - ridden pilot, Shikishima Koichi, finds new strength and courage to stand up against Godzilla that suddenly appeared, in helping a young woman, Osihi Noriko and the little orphan girl in her care. Hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all, this is a must-see film.
Haikyu! The Dumpster Battle/劇場版ハイキュー!! ゴミ捨て場の決戦 (2024)
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| ©2024 "HAIKYU!!"Project H.Furudate/Shueisha Licensed by Medialink |
Director: Mitsunaka Susumu
Cast: Murase Ayumu, Ishikawa Kaito, Kaji Yuuki
Original Author: Fueudate Haruichi (Shueisha “JUMP COMICS”)
Shoyo Hinata began playing volleyball after seeing the "small giants" who played the sport when he was in elementary school. He suffers a crushing defeat in his first and last tournament in middle school at the hands of his rival Tobio Kageyama. So, Shoyo joins Kurasuno High School's volleyball team, vowing revenge against Tobio. However, Tobio is also on Kurasuno's team. The former rivals form a legendary combo with Shoyo’s mobility and Tobio’s precision ball-handling.
During the joint training camp between Karasuno High School and Nekoma High School from Tokyo, Shoyo encountered his future arch-nemesis, Kenma Kozume. While Karasuno relied on an aggressive attacking style, Nekoma excelled in their defensive play, embodying the motto of "Connect." Through their encounters with Nekoma, the players of Karasuno gradually discovered new possibilities and strategies.
During the Miyagi Prefecture Spring High School Volleyball Tournament and the preliminaries for the Spring High, Karasuno High School emerged victorious over formidable opponents, continuously evolving their skills. They achieved a stunning triumph over Inarizaki High School in the second round of the Spring High tournament. Now, they stand ready to face their longstanding rivals, Nekoma High School, in the highly anticipated third round. These two powerhouse teams have never clashed on the official stage despite engaging in numerous practice matches. This long-awaited showdown between Karasuno High School and Nekoma High School is famously known as "The Dumpster Battle."
The Imaginary/屋根裏のラジャー (2023)
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| © PONOC |
Director: Momose Yoshiyuki
Cast: Terada Kokoro, Suzuk Rio, Ando Sakura
Based on “The Imaginary” by A.F. Harrold
Studio Ponoc’s new animated feature film The Imaginary is a wondrous adventure that portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger, a boy no one can see imagined by Amanda to share her thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger, suddenly alone, arrives at The Town of Imaginaries, where forgotten Imaginaries live and find work, he faces a mysterious threat.
Directed by Studio Ghibli veteran Yoshiyuki Momose and produced and written by twice-Academy Award®-nominated producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, The Imaginary is an unforgettable and emotional journey that delves into the limitless imaginations of children. Hand-drawn, hand-painted and incorporating new light and shadow techniques, this visual feast of a film vividly breathes life into the award-winning novel by A.F. Harrold.
Let's Go Karaoke! (2024)
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| ©2024 "Let's Go Karaoke" Film Partners |
Director: Yamashita Nobuhiro
Cast: Ayano Go, Saito Jun
As his school’s choir club leader, 14-year-old Satomi (Saito Jun) has only one thing on his mind – the upcoming final competition before he graduates middle school. However, his routine is disrupted when he’s approached by Kyoji (Ayano Go), a menacing yakuza with an unusual request: “Let’s go karaoke!” Baffled and cautious, Satomi soon discovers the off-key gangster needs singing lessons to avoid losing his gang’s karaoke contest and a harrowing punishment... a bad tattoo selected by the boss himself! Reluctantly, Satomi agrees to help Kyoji through a series of karaoke sessions, and the duo forge an unexpected friendship. Featuring comedic twists, heartwarming moments and of course, a stellar soundtrack, this adaptation brings WAYAMA Yama's beloved manga series to life!
Matched/マッチング (2024)
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| ©2024 "Matched" Film Partners |
Director: Uchida Eiji
Cast: Tsuchiya Tao, Sakuma Daisuke, Kaneko Nobuaki
Successful at work but shy in love, wedding planner Rinka reluctantly joins a dating app at the urging of her colleague. She matches with a blonde-haired charmer named Tom, but on the first date Rinka quickly realises something off about this mysterious stranger. What began as an innocent meeting soon takes a rotten turn: Tom starts sending an endless stream of messages, and unbeknownst to Rinka, he’s a suspect in a murder case targeting users of the same dating app... the victims of which were all Rinka’s clients! Frightened by Tom’s relentless pursuit, Rinka seeks help from app developer Kageyama, soon finding comfort in her newfound hero’s arms. Is this finally Rinka’s happy-ever-after, or is something sinister still lurking in the shadows?
Monster/怪物 (2023)
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| ©2023 "Monster" Film Committee |
Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu
Cast: Ando Sakura, Eita Nagayama, Kurokawa Soya, Hiragi Hinata
When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.
Our Secret Diary/交換ウソ日記 (2023)
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| ©2023 "OUR SECRET DIARY" Film Partners |
Director: Takemura Kentaro
Cast: Takahashi Fumiya, Sakurada Hiyori
One day, second-year high school student Nozomi finds a letter in her desk from Setoyama, the most popular boy in school that simply reads "I like you." Though confused if it's a prank, she puts a response in his shoe box, leading to the start of a secret exchange diary. But it turns out that the letters and diary were intended for her best friend. Although everything started because of a misunderstanding, she keeps up with the exchange diary without telling Setoyama the truth. Nozomi, who always reads the room too much and isn’t much of a talker, initially dislikes the straightforward Setoyama, but she starts to fall for him as she gets to know him. However, as she starts to lose her chance of coming out with the truth, things take an unexpected turn... Where will this bittersweet one-sided love that began with a lie end up?
Perfect Days (2023)
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| © 2023 The Match Factory GmbH |
Director: Wim Wenders
Cast: Yakusho Koji, Emoto Tokio, Nakano Arisa
Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.
Sand Land (2023)
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| ©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA ©SAND LAND Film Partners |
Director: Yokoshima Toshihisa
Original Story: Toriyama Akira
Cast: Tamamura Mutsumi, Yamaji Kazuhiro
The pinnacle of the Akira Toriyama universe! The legendary masterpiece has finally been turned into a miraculous film adaptation.
Among the many works of manga artist Akira Toriyama, who brought the world legendary stories including Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, Sand Land has been called a "masterpiece of utter perfection". Set in a mysterious desert world where demons and humans coexist, Sand Land is an adventurous fantasy following the mischievous but pure-hearted Fiend Prince, Beelzebub, who forms a trio with a demon named Thief and a human sheriff, Rao, in search of the Legendary Spring hidden somewhere in the desert. After its short period of being serialised in the Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2000, this captivating adventure gained popularity both in Japan and abroad. Taken in hand by the talented production teams of Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga and ANIMA, this film is the long-awaited movie adaptation of the manga that condenses Akira Toriyama’s full-blown world of unique, humorous and friendly characters, mechanical design and an expertly written adventure story.
Under the Open Sky/すばらしき世界 (2021)
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| © Ryuzo Saki/2021 "Under the Open Sky" Production Committee |
Director: Nishikawa Miwa
Cast: Yakusho Koji, Nakano Taiga, Nagasawa Masami
Mikami, an ex- yakuza of middle age with most of his life in prison, gets released after serving 13 years of sentence for murder. Hoping to find his long lost mother, from whom he was separated as a child, he applies for a TV show and meets a young TV director Tsunoda. Meanwhile, he struggles to get a proper job and fit into society. His impulsive, adamant nature and ingrained beliefs cause friction in his relationship with Tsunoda and those who want to help him.
Japanese Film Festival 2025 Schedule overview:
January 30 - February 9, 2025 Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza
February 7-16, 2025 SM City Baguio
February 14-23, 2025 SM City Iloilo, SM Seaside City Cebu
February 21 - March 2, 2025 SM City Davao, SM City North EDSA
