As one of the most anticipated celebrations of cinema in the country, the Japanese Film Festival came back bigger than ever this 2025 with its opening night last January 30, 2025 at the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza. Bringing together renowned and illustrious figures from film and entertainment, as well as keynote speeches by prominent figures in the community, Japanese Film Festival 2025 did not fail to deliver an engaging and thrilling experience to fans of Japanese cinema and pop culture with the screening of the festival’s featured film, Gozilla Minus One, at the Red Carpet Cinema.
Presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila since 1997, the Japanese Film Festival has become one of the most beloved film festivals in the Philippines, with over 40,000 fans of cinema getting to watch an incredible lineup of Japanese films last year. the opening of Japanese Film Festival 2025 welcomed guests from all over the community with the opening reception at the Grand Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza, hosted by sensational host Show Suzuki, with splendid performances by Manila String Machine, to the delight of attendees.
Keynote speeches by prominent figures in the Japanese culture community and entertainment industry engaged the attendees and stressed on the many incredible milestones reached by the Japanese film industry as well as the strong bonds and shared experiences by Japanese and Filipinos through film, anime and pop culture. Remarks from Japan Foundation, Manila’s Director Ben Suzuki stressed the historical and artistic significance of the outstanding films carefully curated for the Filipino film enthusiasts, represented most appropriately by the opening feature film, Gozilla Minus One. Special guests Akiko Endo, spouse of Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo; Johnny Rios, Retail operations head of Shari-La Plaze Corporation, and Jose Javier Reyes, chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
The program also got to feature the incredible lineup of Japanese films that will be screened throughout the duration of the film festival as it returns once again to Philippine theaters this February 2025. Rolling into cinemas in Manila, Baguio, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao, giving even more venues and opportunities for even more Filipinos to enjoy amazing Japanese movies. This year’s opening film is Gozilla Minus One, an Academy Award-winning film commemorating the 70th anniversary of Godzilla series. It has been hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all.
JFF 2025 kicks off in Manila at the Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema starting 30 January and will continue into the regions. The regional run starts on 7 February in SM City Baguio, and will continue on 14 February at SM City Iloilo and SM Seaside Cebu. The JFF’s final run will start 21 February at SM City Davao, as well as returning to Manila on the same date at the SM City North EDSA.
JFF 2025 is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JT International (Philippines) Inc., and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
Our congratulations and thanks to everyone at The Japan Foundation, Manila, along with their supporters and partners, for a successful opening night. It was a delightful event for all attendees and set an exciting and engaging tone for the Japanese Film Festival 2025.
Admission is free for all screenings but a convenience fee may apply for tickets procured online. Walk-in guests are welcome if seats are still unoccupied. Please bear in mind that seats are limited and are not guaranteed. Please visit the official JFF 2025 website for our complete ticketing guidelines.
For more information on the festival’s full film lineup, ticketing guidelines, and complete screening schedules, please visit www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph or follow the Japan Foundation, Manila and JFF on social media.
arkadymac.com has been the media partner to the Japanese Film Festival since 2016, and we are grateful to the Japan Foundation, Manila for always inviting us to do coverage. Many thanks to our Correspondents Anmu and Yanna for covering this event for us. Thanks as well to our new friends Jaymie and Christine.
And thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more features here at arkadymac.com.
#JFManila #JFFPH2025 #EigaSai #arkadymac #jff #jfm
About The Author
