November 27th 2022 O.A.
Global Stage Hollywood
The “Global Stage Hollywood” film festival was held in Hollywood on October 28th and 29th.
“Global Stage Hollywood” is an event that aims to showcase new talents in the entertainment industry from Hollywood.
This is the first year for “Global Stage Hollywood” to take place.
Along with Taiwanese and Israeli films being introduced, 3 Japanese films were also shown at the event.
“Undaunted: The Story of Jane Aiko Yamano” had its world premiere and caught a lot of attention.
It is a documentary depicting the life of Jane Aiko Yamano, the granddaughter of Japan’s very first hairdresser, Aiko Yamano who also found Yamano Beauty College.
Jane is born in LA and is currently the 2nd president of the school.
The film also focuses on inner beauty and healthy beauty as well.
100 students from Japan attended the premiere in kimono.
A technique called “Quick Change” that is used in weddings and is unique to Yamano was also demonstrated at the event and liven up the world premiere.
At “Global Stage Hollywood,” there were also seminars that connected creators and businesses together.
American Film Market 2022
American Film Market (AFM) was held from November 1st to the 6th at Santa Monica.
AFM is the largest film exhibition in North America and an in-person event happened for the first time in 3 years.
Being the 43rd time, film production companies, buyers, and investors from 87 countries around the globe attended the event to do business.
Well-known movie companies from Japan and Tokyo Film Commission also exhibited booths to attract Tokyo for filming locations.
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) LA branch also exhibited a booth and supported sales of Japanese content.
JETRO has an online catalog website specifically for buyers called “JAPAN STREET” that showcases more than 160 products by 60 companies.
Buyers were also introduced to a service that recommends movies of their choice like anime or horror.
JETRO LA branch does not only support entertainment, but also various companies in different fields.
JRA Sushi & Sake Festival
Sunday, November 6th was the Sushi & Sake Festival held by the Japanese Restaurant Association of America (JRA).
Although it is a popular annual event by JRA where guests can enjoy as much Japanese food and sake as they want, the event was held for the first time in 3 years due to the impact of COVID-19.
Due to its popularity, long lines were already formed before the doors opened.
There was a taiko performance and the breaking of sake barrels by related individuals at the opening ceremony.
Sushi chefs from famous restaurants lined up and served sushi to the guests.
Foods like: shabu-shabu, kushi-katsu (deep-fried skewer), oden, eel, and sweets were also available at the event.
Yakitori and ramen were served in the courtyard.
At the sake section: beer, shochu, and various Japanese sake brands were exhibited, and guests were able to drink and compare different sake.
There was a tuna cutting show for attraction, and guests could not take their eyes off the chef’s skillful filleting technique.
The tuna was then cut into each serving and served as sushi.
JRA educates culinary techniques, food safety management, and provides resources for lawyers and business-related matters.
It was founded in 1999 to spread Japanese food in the US.
About 800 people attended this year’s “Sushi & Sake Festival” and enjoyed authentic Japanese food and sake.