October 22nd 2023 O.A.
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2023
The Japan Film Festival Los Angeles took place in Hollywood in September.
This is an annual film festival, and 28 films were shown online and in theaters this year.
On the final day, September 17th, at Japan House Los Angeles, the closing and award ceremony took place, bringing together people associated with the films, including producers, directors, and cast members from Japan. A live stream was done via Zoom, and related individuals also attended the event online from Japan.
Short films were introduced first, followed by a sword fighting performance by the casts of a samurai action film that was produced in the US.
This is the 18th time for JFFLA, and they are one of the oldest Japanese film festivals in the US.
Consul General Kenko Sone and president of JAPAN HOUSE, Yuko Kaifu stated their greetings at the ceremony, and spoke about their hopes for Japan-related individuals advancing into Hollywood in their careers.
At the award ceremony, 17 awards were announced, including Best Short Film, Best Director, and Best Feature Film Award.
Plaques were given to the awardees and they all celebrated the moment as the event finished in great success.
Global Stage Hollywood 2023
October 6th and 7th was the film festival in Hollywood called “Global Stage Hollywood.
What originally began as a Japanese film festival has now changed its name to “Global Stage Hollywood” since last year to introduce global contents to the US.
Screening of “A Man”, a Japanese film, opened this year’s event.
It is a mystery movie where it questions a man’s identity.
Satoshi Tsumabuki, who played the leading role, came from Japan to attend the event, and had a Q&A session after the showing.
The following day, a short documentaries about indigenous Japanese Ainu people and the Pechanga Band of Indians was shown.
Representatives of each people attended the panel discussion after the showing and talked about the difficulties of reviving and passing down the once lost tradition or language due to discrimination and persecution that was done in the past.
Wide variety of entertainment like anime and short films were also shown. Even a live rakugo storytelling by Katsura Sunshine was available, too.