20th Osaka Asian Film Festival: March 14th – 23rd, 2025
The Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) is returning for its 20th anniversary, promising a diverse showcase of Asian cinema. With screenings scheduled from Friday, March 14th to Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, the festival aims to connect Osaka to all of Japan, and subsequently, the greater Asian continent, through the power of film.
A Celebration of Asian Cinema
This year’s festival boasts a total of 67 films, selected from what is said to be the highest number of applications in the event’s history. These selections represent a broad spectrum of cinematic voices from 18 countries and regions, including Bangladesh, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Norway, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, the USA, and Vietnam.
The lineup includes a significant number of premieres:
- 19 World Premieres
- 6 International Premieres
- 4 Asian Premieres
- 31 Japan Premieres
This high number of premieres underscores the festival’s growing importance as a platform for launching new Asian films onto the world stage.
Opening and Closing Highlights
The festival will open with a special screening of "Soldiers of Love," a contemporary Kazakhstani musical. This film features A’Studio, a renowned musical group that achieved international recognition in the 1990s and continues to be active. The film is described as a "masterpiece musical" with impressive music and dance sequences.
The closing film, "I Am Kirishima", directed by Tomoaki Takahashi and starring Katsuya Maikuma, is a social drama based on the life of Satoshi Kirishima. Kirishima was wanted in connection with a series of corporate bombings and remained a fugitive for 49 years until his death in 2024 at the age of 70. The film, blending historical fact with fictional elements, will have its world premiere on March 23rd at ABC Hall, following the closing ceremony.
Venues and Ticketing
The festival screenings will be held across multiple venues in Osaka:
- ABC Hall (1-1-30 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Osaka)
- Theater Umeda (1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka, Umeda Sky Building Tower East 3rd & 4th floors)
- T-Joy Umeda (1-12-6 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka, E-ma Building 7th floor)
- Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art (4-3-1 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka)
It is important to note that screening dates and times will vary depending on the individual film. Similarly, ticket prices, sales methods, and release dates are subject to variation depending on the venue and date of the screening. Each screening requires one ticket per person.
Further Information
For any inquiries, the Osaka City General Call Center (Naniwa Call) can be reached at 06-4301-7285. The call center is open year-round from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Additional details, including the full program schedule, can be found on the official festival website: https://oaff.jp.
๐๏ธ See hotels near the event
What makes Osaka a significant hub for Asian cinema?
Osaka has become an important center for Asian cinema due to its location, cultural diversity, and dedication to showcasing a variety of films from across the continent. As Japan’s second-largest city, Osaka acts as a meeting point for different cultures, offering a lively setting for filmmakers and audiences. The city’s history in the arts and its urban environment make it a fitting place for a film festival that highlights the diversity and creativity of Asian cinema.
The Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) has significantly contributed to the city’s reputation in the film industry. Over the years, the festival has become a venue for both well-known and new filmmakers to present their work to an international audience. By focusing on premieres and distinctive storytelling, OAFF has built a community that values the subtleties of Asian cultures and encourages cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration.
Osaka’s support for the arts is also evident in its investment in modern screening venues and its involvement with local and international film communities. The city’s film culture is further enhanced by its educational institutions, which offer programs in film studies and production, helping to develop future filmmakers.
Osaka’s role as a hub for Asian cinema is rooted in its ability to combine tradition with modernity, providing a space where filmmakers can explore new stories and innovate in storytelling. The city’s commitment to promoting Asian cinema ensures its continued importance in the global film scene.
