Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, this year the theme title was Always Evolving. The programme included 21 Japanese films. From recently released works such as My Broken Mariko to the rare 1935 masterpiece The Million Ryo Pot, we hoped to provide UK audiences with food for thought in considering where Japanese film has come from and where it’s heading next. 24 UK leading cinemas and organisations partnered with us, and 172 screenings were completed in two months. That’s roughly three screenings per day throughout February and March!!

It is yet too early to give you an accurate and clear picture of the outcome of this programme. However, as of 31 March we have received audience figures of over 6,400 people attending nationwide (25 more screenings are yet to be counted). This has already surpassed the previous year. JFTFP23 also came with directors’ video messages, exclusive programme notes as well as four online talks with directors such as NISHIKAWA Miwa and TANADA Yuki.

A million thanks to those who joined us and supported us. We hope you enjoyed JFTFP23.

We will be back at the same time next year so keep updated on our website.

Here are some of the comments we received from our audience:

An excellent programme and a key cultural festival for the UK. @ICA, London

Love the programme – it’s great every year! @ICA, London

I love this programme– what a great annual opportunity to see contemporary Japanese films with subtitles outside London. @Watershed, Bristol

I love the JFTFP and come every year. @QUAD, Derby

I really look forward to the Japan Film Touring Program coming and look out for it every year. There are always films I enjoy and often bring a friend that hasn’t been before. @Showroom, Sheffield

Continue the good work! I’ve enjoyed this and past seasons! @QFT, Belfast

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme was kindly supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.