Metropolis Japan

24th Japanese Film Festival Nippon Connection

May 28, 2024 at 10:00am ~ Jun 02, 2024 at 6:00pm

It’s that time again! From May 28 to June 2, 2024, the world’s largest festival for Japanese film will once again open its doors in Frankfurt am Main for the 24th time. For six unique summer days, the Nippon Connection Film Festival invites visitors of all ages to gain insights into Japanese cinema and culture and to engage in exchanges in a welcoming atmosphere. The festival’s extensive film program offers plenty of topics to talk about, spanning around 100 Japanese short and feature-length films of all genres, from current blockbusters and animation to independent films and documentaries. The majority of the films will be presented as German, European, or international premieres. The culture program, featuring over 50 workshops, lectures, concerts, and a wide range of culinary offerings, also celebrates the diversity of Japan.

Thematically, this year’s festival focuses on “Crossing Borders”, exploring the relationship between Japanese cinema and the world outside Japan. In addition to current and historical fiction and documentary films, discussions and lectures will provide food for thought on the thematic encounters, collaborations, and mutual influences of Japanese and international filmmakers. The thematic focus is supported by the Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain.

As a special guest of honor, we’ve invited actress Kotone Furukawa. She will be honored at the 24th Nippon Connection Film Festival with the Nippon Rising Star Award, which recognizes exceptional emerging talent in Japanese cinema. Kotone Furukawa gained international recognition for her outstanding performance in the romantic drama “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, which won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale in 2021. Many other renowned filmmakers and artists from Japan will also be present at the festival. The audience will have the unique opportunity to learn more about their works and engage in a dialog with them.