October 10–19 at SM Lanang Premier Cinema

Davao City, Philippines – The Japan Foundation, Manila is proud to announce that the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2025 is arriving in Davao from October 10 to 19, 2025, with screenings at SM Lanang Premier Cinema. Admission to all films is free of charge.

Now on its 26th year, JFF continues to be one of the most highly anticipated cultural events in the Philippines, attracting tens of thousands of film enthusiasts annually. It has also grown into the largest Japanese film festival in the world, offering a showcase of stories that connect audiences across generations and cultures.

This year’s festival carries the theme “Bridg(e)ing”, featuring films that act as metaphorical bridges—connecting the past with the future, humans with technology, body with spirit, and individual stories with community experiences.

Davao audiences can look forward to a specially curated lineup of 12 films, including:

  • Seven Samurai (1956) by Akira Kurosawa
  • Ghost in the Shell (1995), an anime classic that redefined cyberpunk storytelling
  • Spirited Away (2001), Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning masterpiece
  • Love Letter (1995), remastered in 4K
  • A Samurai in Time (2024)
  • Cells at Work! (Live Action, 2024)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom (2024)

JFF 2025 in Davao is presented with the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JTI Philippines, Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolates, and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

Screening Details:

📍 Venue: SM Lanang Premier Cinema
📅 Dates: October 10–19, 2025
🎟️ Admission: Free

For the full screening schedule and updates, please visit the official JFF 2025 website: https://japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph/or follow @jfmanila on Facebook and Instagram.