Guest in Focus: Seiji Tanaka

When a Coming-of-Age Tale meets Crime and Black Comedy Seiji Tanaka, director of Melancholic, studied theater and film studies in Japan and the USA. Afterwards, he returned to Japan and began writing plays and screenplays. Melancholic is his first feature film and was awarded for the best director in the Japanese Section at the 31st Tokyo International … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Seiji Tanaka

Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 31st)

For those of who who've been held back by work or school thus far, today is the day! It's Friday, which means there is still a full weekend's worth of Nippon to sink yourselves into. Here are some of the special programs we've got planned out for today. Special Events: Remembering Isao Takahata Last year, … Continue reading Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 31st)

Guest in Focus: Ian Thomas Ash

The Balance between Observation and Empathy while filming Death Ian Thomas Ash has been a regular guest of Nippon Connection for several years now and already won two prizes with his documentaries. In 2013, he received the NIPPON VISIONS AWARD for his Fukushima documentary A2-B-C as well as the NIPPON VISIONS AUDIENCE AWARD in 2015 for -1287. … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Ian Thomas Ash

Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 30th)

The first two days are merely a warm-up compared to Day Three, when Nippon Connection starts to get really busy, especially since today is a holiday. We have a lot of events, programs, and film premieres today, so let's get to it! Special Events: Lecture: Umami and Dashi "Umami," the fifth sense of taste, was … Continue reading Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 30th)

Guest in Focus: Takashi Makino

Between two worlds – “A chaotic mass of light and sound” Director and artist Takashi Makino shares his personal motives for making Memento Stella, featured at the 19th Nippon Connection Film Festival. With its flashing lights and psychedelic music, the film creates an ecstatic experience completely out of this world - yet so close to … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Takashi Makino

Guest in Focus: Yoshinori Sato

Outsiders and Outlaws: An interview with Yoshinori Sato Directo Yoshinori Sato, well-known for his feature films, including Bad Child and Her Mother, studied at the University of Southern California before he started to work for TV-productions. Shinjuku Tiger is his first documentary feature and will celebrate its international premiere at 19th Nippon Connection Film Festival. … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Yoshinori Sato

Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 29th)

Things start off a bit earlier today; our first film premiere is at 2 o'clock, and we keep rolling from there until late tonight. Here are some of the best events on offer during Day Two of this year's festival. Special Events: Workshop: Film Sound Recording Emmy-award-winning Foley artist Goro KOYAMA comes all the … Continue reading Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 29th)

Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 28th)

Finally, it's that time of year again! Nippon Connection is back! This year marks the 19th year of the festival that is the largest event for Japanese film in the world outside of Japan itself. We've got 6 days, over a hundred films, and dozens upon dozens of cultural and featured events to fill out … Continue reading Nippon Connection 2019- The Daily Highlights (May 28th)

Guest in Focus: Yu Kajino

Reflecting on One of the Largest Catastrophes in Japanese history using 8mm After the screening of his short film "Be Still, My Beating Heart" in 2007, Yu Kajino is attending the Nippon Connection Filmfestival again with his first feature film Ahum. After his high school graduation, KAJINO started making films with a cheap video camera. He … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Yu Kajino

Guest in Focus: Kensei Takahashi

"MeToo Japan" - A Young Filmmakers Perspective Kensei Takahashi, born 1996 in Hokkaido, already dreamed about making films when he was still a child. Takahashis debut feature Sea was his final work for university and was presented at the Tokyo International Film Festival. We are very pleased that Mr. Takahashi will attend the 19th Nippon Connection … Continue reading Guest in Focus: Kensei Takahashi