The Japan Foundation presented their new free online streaming program called JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA, which will feature twelve Japanese independent films. The screenings will take place from December 15, 2022 until June 15, 2023.

Films were selected by the managers of six Japanese independent theaters “mini-theaters”, those are Forum Sendai (Sendai City); Takada Sekaikan (Joetsu City); Cinémathèque Takasaki (Takasaki City); Cinema Jack & Betty (Yokohama City); Ciné nouveau (Osaka City); and Cinema5 (Oita City). To complement the program, we will also show interviews with directors, actors, and other creators who got involved with the films, and articles on the mini-theaters culture.

Schedule
The streaming period will be divided into two terms. The first term will last from December 15, 2022 (5:00 pm JST) until March 15, 2023 (4:59 pm JST) and will feature six films. The second term will last from March 15, 2023 (5:00 pm JST) until June 15, 2023 (5:00 pm JST) and will feature the last six films.

Films will be available in almost all countries (except in Japan). There will be English and Spanish subtitles for all the films and Japanese subs for 3 films. You can watch the films FOR FREE.

How to watch the films
1) Go to https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/independent-cinema/
2) Register to the website (you will need an email)

Film Lineup

First term – December 15, 2022 to March 15, 2023

A documentary about a team of young people who record the memories of a town that was affected by a big earthquake. [Selected by Forum Sendai / Available worldwide except Japan]

A documentary that observes the lives of people living in a mountainous region covered in snow. [Selected by Takada Sekaikan / Available worldwide except Japan]

A comedy drama that depicts the conflict between students and their university over the continuation of a long-standing college dorm. [Selected by Cinémathèque Takasaki / Available worldwide except Japan]

A humanistic drama that looks at the emotional recovery of those who have lost close relatives. [Selected by Cinema Jack & Betty / Available worldwide except Japan]

A fantastical and beautiful visual poem about joyful spirits who reside in a house. [Selected by Ciné nouveau / Available Worldwide, except Japan]

A coming-of-age drama about the emotional journey of a young girl who leaves the beautiful and isolated island that she is from. [Selected by Cinema5 / Available worldwide except Japan and China]

Second Term – December 15, 2022 to March 15, 2023

A coming-of-age drama about young people who cheer for their high school baseball team playing in a stadium. [Selected by Forum Sendai / Available worldwide except Japan]

A music film that shows off the astonishing performance of a world famous taiko troupe. [Selected by Takada Sekaikan / Available worldwide except Japan, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany]

A surprising humanistic drama that questions the meaning of happiness through the strange fate of one man who caused an accident. [Selected by Cinémathèque Takasaki / Available worldwide except Japan]

A heartfelt documentary about the interactions between a film director and his uncle who has lowlevel autism [Selected by Cinema Jack & Betty / Available worldwide except Japan]

A warm and unique story of two women who live under one roof and the strange happenings around them. [Selected by Ciné nouveau / Available worldwide except Japan]

A miraculous documentary that follows a girl in elementary school who dreams of becoming a vet and the 26 years that follow to make her dream come true. [Selected by Cinema5 / Available worldwide except Japan]

For more information, please visit: https://jff.jpf.go.jp/