Celebrating a remarkable and illustrious milestone of Japanese master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki being honored with this year’s prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) alongside mm2, the official partner of Studio Ghibli, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, got to present six of Miyazaki’s most memorable and beloved masterpieces at The Studio Ghibli Weekend, a free mini film festival at the Shangri-la Plaza Red Carpet Cinema last November 16 and 17, 2024.
As one of the world’s most renowned filmmakers, Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has for years produced animated works explore complex human issues and inspire audiences with thought-provoking films that champion nature, peace, and humanity. The Studio Ghibli Weekend by Japan Foundation, Manila offered free screenings of timeless Studio Ghibli films including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008), and the festival’s opening film, Spirited Away (2001). Admission to the screenings was free on a first-come, first-served basis with tickets offered online and was all snapped up immediately.
The Opening Night of The Studio Ghibli Weekend was held on November 15, 2024 at the Shangri-la Plaza Red Carpet Cinema, featuring the festival’s opening film, Spirited Away. An engaging program led by brilliant host Aisaku saw talks and addresses from key personages which included Ben Suzuki, Director of The Japan Foundation, Manila; Johnny Rios, Retail Operations Head of Shangri-La Plaza Corporation; Susan Afan, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation; and Kenichi Yoda, Vice President for Event and Exhibition of Studio Ghibli. All of them got to highlight the importance of honoring the vision of Hayao Miyazaki and the timeless appeal and incredible admiration that his films has had all over the world.
arkadymac.com was a media partner for The Studio Ghibli Weekend, and our Correspondents Shizu and Yanna were there to help us cover the opening night. Shizu cosplayed Chihiro and Yanna came as No Face. Aside from helping us out with our coverage of the opening night, they had as small part in opening the screening of the festival’s opening film, Spirited Away.
Spirited Away, like all of Hayao Miyazaki masterpieces, have been loved and revered by generations of Filipino movie fans, and they have been chosen specifically to show the enduring quality of the Miyazaki’s work. The Studio Ghibli Weekend was the rare chance for the Filipino audience to watch these films in a cinematic for the first time. This got to be an unforgettable experience for children and families to dive into the fantastic and colorful world of Hayao Miyazaki.
The Studio Ghibli Weekend is presented by The Japan Foundation, Manila, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, and is supported by The Shangri-la Plaza Red Carpet Cinema, Fully Booked, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Studio Ghibli titles are officially distributed in the Philippines by mm2 Entertainment.
arkadymac.com has been a media partner for The Japan Foundation, Manila events since 2016. Many thanks to JFM for the invitation.
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