JFF25 Kokuho

Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, gifted son Kikuo (rising star Ryō Yoshizawa) is taken under the wing of famed kabuki actor Hanjirō Hanai (played by the iconic Ken Watanabe, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Samurai). Alongside the great performer’s only son, Shunsuke (Ryūsei Yokohama), he dedicates his life to the artform—a centuries-old Japanese theatrical tradition known for its costumes, elaborate makeup and innovative stagecraft. Over the ensuing decades, against the backdrop of stunning stagings of classic kabuki tales, the destiny of the two young disciples entwines and twists—from acting school to the most prestigious stages—and their hearts suffer as much yearning, scandal and glory as their onstage alter egos. Only one of them will become the master of the art. Based on the best-selling novel by Shūichi Yoshida, Kokuhō (which translates as 'National Treasure') stormed the Japanese box office in mid-2025, with demand escalating for months on the back of word of mouth, becoming a true cultural phenomenon.

JFF25 Bushido

Wrongfully accused of a crime, Kakunoshin Yanagida is cast out from his hometown and stripped of his samurai status. Resigned to life in an Edo tenement house with his daughter Okinu, Kakunoshin carves out a meagre living making handcrafted hanko (signature stamps). But when a chance encounter over a game of Go pits him against the unscrupulous merchant Genbee Yorozuya, Kakunoshin is pulled into a world of gambling and debt. For him, Go is no mere pastime - it’s a battlefield where honour itself is at stake. When rumours of the truth behind his exile emerge, Kakunoshin seizes the chance to clear his name and avenge his late wife. But as righteousness collides with reality, it is Okinu who must bear the price of her father’s revenge. Award winning director Kazuya Shiraishi’s (The Blood of Wolves, 2018) first period drama, Bushidō masterfully blends traditional storytelling with contemporary cinematic techniques. Adapted from a famous rakugo (verbal comedy) piece, the story of Bushidō is brought vividly to life by lead actor and former pop idol Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and supported by a compelling performance from Jun Kunimura (Kill Bill: Volume 1, 2003). Rich with the spectacle of traditional festivals and the intensity of samurai duels, Bushidō unfolds a tale of honour, pride and sacrifice, meticulously staged like the ancient game of Go.

JFF25 The Concierge

Akino is a trainee concierge at the Hokkyoku Department Store, an unusual department store that caters exclusively to animals. Under the watchful eyes of the floor manager and senior concierges, Akino runs around to fulfill the wishes of customers with a myriad of needs and problems in her pursuit to become a full-fledged concierge. The film made its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2023 and its North American Premiere in July 2023 at the Fantasia International Film Festival. The film has also been selected and screened at several film festivals worldwide in 2023-2024.

JFF25 Serpent's Path

Following the brutal murder of his eight-year-old daughter, Albert (Damien Bonnard) is consumed by thoughts of revenge. Believing his daughter’s death to be linked to a violent organ trafficking network known only as ‘The Circle’, Albert teams up with Sayoko (Kō Shibasaki), a Japanese psychiatrist with a mysterious past. Together, the pair embark on a mission to kidnap and interrogate those they deem responsible. On the surface, Serpent’s Path is a stark tale of vengeance; beneath it lies a web of anxiety and emotional displacement that turns this film into a deeply unsettling psychological thriller. Set in Paris, Serpent’s Path is director Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s French-language remake of his own 1998 film by the same name. A bleak descent into human desperation, Serpent’s Path employs Kurosawa’s signature wide shots and static compositions to let violence and tension unfold with slow, dreadful inevitability. In this remake, the supporting lead—originally a male character—is reimagined as Sayoko, whose reserved persona proves even more chilling juxtaposed against the raw anguish of grieving father Arthur. Hauntingly compelling from the first frame, Serpent’s Path drew international acclaim following its screening at the 2024 San Sebastián International Film Festival.

JFF25 Chime

Matsuoka teaches at a culinary school, but dreams of becoming head chef at a French restaurant. One day, his student Tashiro, complains that he hears a strange sound “like a chime”, which he believes is trying to send him a message. Unperturbed, Matsuoka dismisses the claim and carries on with his routine lesson, until Tashiro’s escalating distress leads to a shocking act that can no longer be ignored. In an attempt to restore a sense of normalcy, Matsuoka turns his attention to his next student, but something is off in his demeanour... As a growing sense of unease seeps into Matsuoka’s daily life, dread and distrust begin to permeate his classroom. Intercut with snapshots of domestic life that hint at an unravelling beneath the surface, Chime offers a warped portrait of the everyday, punctuated by agitation and fear. Created by renowned Japanese horror director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Cure, 1997), and featuring his signature wide shots, eerie sound design, and a disarming colour palette, Chime is a deceptive story of psychological and moral fracture. Kurosawa masterfully draws terror out of the ordinary, crafting a short, sharp film that cuts straight to the bone. A rare and exquisite thriller that premiered worldwide at the Berlinale Special 2024, Chime’s quiet eeriness lingers long after the final frame.

JFF25 Cloud

Disillusioned factory worker Ryōsuke Yoshii (Masaki Suda) rejects the safe path of company promotions in favour of his own side hustle: flipping goods online for a profit under the alias ‘Ratel.’ Through unscrupulous tactics of bullying and manipulation, he buys cheap medical devices, knockoff handbags and other grey market items for a fraction of the price he later resells them for, leaving a trail of angry retailers and dissatisfied customers in his wake. As his business grows, so does the need for space and anonymity. After relocating from the city to a rural lake house with his apathetic girlfriend Akiko (Kotone Furukawa) and hiring a local assistant, Ryōsuke believes he is on the up and up. But as the money rolls in, hostility festers in the digital sphere and danger quietly lurks in the shadows of the internet, waiting for a chance to creep into reality. A modern psychological thriller from renowned horror master Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Cloud uncannily probes the anxieties of technological and social isolation in a capitalist world. Throughout the film, minimalist soundscapes and unnerving cinematography masterfully build an increasing sense of paranoia and threat—hallmarks of Kurosawa’s signature ‘tension to climax’ style. First screened at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, Cloud has garnered global admiration for its introspective and experimental edge. A true Kurosawa thriller, its sustained suspense is punctuated by moments as unpredictable as they are unsettling.

JFF25 Cells at Work!

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. Inside high schooler Niko’s (Mana ASHIDA) body, a hard-working but clumsy red blood cell (Mei NAGANO) frequently loses her way as she eagerly delivers oxygen through the bloodstream. Meanwhile, her battle-hardened counterpart, a white blood cell/Neutrophil (Takeru SATOH), relentlessly hunts down invading bacteria. Alongside trillions of other anthropomorphised cells, this unlikely duo must fight together to protect Niko from foreign threats—one immune system emergency and bacterial invasion at a time! In stark contrast, Niko’s father Shigeru (Sadawo ABE) often gives in to his vices, and his cells constantly battle under the strain of poor habits and stress. Part science lesson and part theme park ride, director Hideki TAKEUCHI ’s (Fly me to the Saitama, THERMAE ROMAE) adaptation artfully injects soul into the seemingly absurd. This surreal comedy is layered with educational themes and cutting sincerity, making for a genuinely touching reminder of the wonders of the human body. Quirky, and over-the-top, Cells at Work! brings to mind Inside Out meets Power Rangers—with a surprisingly high body count!

JFF25 366 DAYS

It’s 2003, and a love story spanning decades has just begun. Bubbly highschooler Miu and quiet senior student Minato dream of a life beyond their sleepy Okinawan town, and when a MiniDisc jumble brings them together, the pair bond over their shared love of music. As they exchange songs romantic sparks fly, and the two start envisioning a life in Tokyo - to the quiet disappointment of Miu’s loyal best friend, Ryūsei. But when Miu follows Minato to Tokyo after graduation, she is soon met by the harsh realities of city life. Being a small fish in the big pond brings its challenges, and unexpected circumstances spur Miu and Minato’s lives in different directions. Fast forward to the present, and Miu’s daughter is left to piece together the untold stories of her mother’s past. Inspired by 366 Nichi, the hit song by Okinawan band HY, this emotionally charged story is one that celebrates the strength of love in all its forms - romantic, familial and platonic. No stranger to the genre, director Takehiko Shinjō’s (And Yet, You Are So Sweet) latest coming-of-age romance is one that many can relate to, with its themes of growth, ambition and having the courage to follow your dreams.

JFF25 SHOWTIME 7

Once the face of the prime time TV program Showtime 7, Shinnosuke Orimoto (Hiroshi Abe) was a national news anchor until mysteriously being forced to step down from his position. Now relegated to a late-night radio gig, the washed-up presenter receives an ominous call from a stranger warning of an imminent bomb threat. Initially dismissing the call as a hoax, Orimoto hangs up... only to witness a deadly blast at a nearby power plant minutes later. As havoc unfolds, Orimoto jumps at the chance to relive his glory days as a newscaster, and steps into the role of negotiator live on the air. But when the incident spirals out of control, Orimoto must tread carefully—or face explosive consequences. With innocent lives on the line, will Orimoto succeed in reclaiming the spotlight, or will his pride be his downfall? Every second matters in this high-stakes action thriller, based on the South Korean box office hit The Terror Live. Featuring a stellar performance by veteran actor Hiroshi Abe, this race against the clock is a wild ride that will have audiences gripped from start to finish.

JFF25 Petals and Memories

Set in Osaka, the story follows siblings Toshiki and Fumiko, who lost their parents early on. As the older brother, Toshiki promised their late father he would always protect his little sister, Fumiko. Taking on the role of both parent and brother, Toshiki dropped out of high school to work at a local factory to support them both. Now, Fumiko has grown and the day of her wedding is drawing near. As Toshiki watches the happy couple set out to begin a new chapter he can’t help but grumble, all while feeling a sense of relief. He rehearses his speech for Fumiko's big day, when an unsettling thought creeps in: Fumiko holds the memories of a woman who died in an incident. The film is based on the short story Hana Manma, featured in the short story collection of the same name by Minato Shukawa, winner of the prestigious 133rd Naoki Prize. Directing the film is Tetsu Maeda, a director celebrated for his empathetic storytelling and meticulous direction. His films seamlessly weave humor, raw emotion and deeply moving moments—qualities evident in works like And So The Baton Is Passed.

JFF25 6 Lying University Students

It’s job hunting season and six high-achieving university students make it to the final round of recruitment for the elite tech company, Spirallinks. With over 10,000 competitors behind them, the tension is palpable in the conference room where the finalists receive their last task - a group discussion where they will debate an issue facing the company. From rivals to teammates, the young hopefuls band together and create a study group to prepare for the challenge that will determine their career’s fate. However, an unexpected twist in the hiring process threatens the alliances formed, as dirty secrets are exposed and the students stop at nothing to achieve their final goal - getting hired. True to form, director Yūichi Satō’s (City Hunter) latest work heavily leans into his signature closed-room storytelling style. Based on Akinari Asakura’s wildly popular novel of the same name, Six Lying University Students delivers a high-pressure, suspense-driven drama fraught with manipulation, deceit and a good dose of scandal.

JFF25 Sunset Sunrise

The year is 2020, and measures against COVID-19 are starting to affect life all over Japan. Masks, temperature checks and constant sanitising are a necessary annoyance – but for one enthusiastic Tokyoite, the ‘new normal’ brings a thrilling opportunity. Leaving behind his life in the city, young salaryman Shinsaku (Masaki SUDA) decides to work remotely and moves to a small town on the Sanriku Coast of Miyagi Prefecture, where he rents an empty house from wary landlord Momoka (Mao INOUE). Surrounded by the stunning nature of Tōhoku, Shinsaku spends his days indulging in his favourite hobby, fishing, and discovering the charm of his new neighbourhood. But as scars from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami remain fresh, can the territorial locals accept him as one of their own? Featuring an all-star cast, this delightful romcom follows Momoka and Shinsaku as they navigate new ground together. With a cast of odd yet lovable locals inhabiting Udahama, it’s hard not to fall in love with this quirky crew as they defend their small fishing town. Heartfelt and authentic, this age-old tale of city meets country offers a glimpse of hope for the future of rural Japan – one full of serendipitous encounters and mouthwatering sashimi.

JFF25 ANGRY SQUAD: The Civil Servant & 7 Swindlers

True to his profession, mild-mannered tax office investigator Kumazawa (Seiyō Uchino) is used to living by the book. However, his life as a civil servant is turned upside down when he’s tricked out of his savings by a slick con artist who goes by the name Himuro (Masaki Okada). Humiliated and furious, Kumazawa vows to get revenge until the swindler offers a tantalising deal: Team up, and he’ll help Kumazawa retrieve over one billion yen in unpaid taxes from the corrupt and well-moustached property developer Tachibana (Yukiyoshi Ozawa), in exchange for Himuro’s own freedom. Reluctant at first, Kumazawa’s desire to bring Tachibana to justice proves stronger than his personal grudge against Himuro, and so the swindled begins his training to become the swindler. Together with a ragtag team of eccentric fraudsters they form the Angry Squad, and what begins as a professional sting quickly spirals into something far more personal. Adapted from the hit South Korean drama Squad 38, this feel-good escapade delivers fast-talking tricksters, corporate power plays and an ensemble of lovable outcasts with plenty of tricks up their sleeve. In his latest work, director Shin'ichirō Ueda (One Cut of the Dead), delivers a spirited heist comedy packed with heart, hustle and a not-so-subtle message: don’t mess with civil servants!