Director Of Kokuho To Meet Filipino Audiences On October 1 And 2
The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) is pleased to announce that acclaimed and award-winning filmmaker LEE Sang-il, director of this year’s Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2026Opening Film, KOKUHO, will join the festival’s Opening Night Event on October 1, 2026, at SM Megamall.
Following the Opening Night, Director LEE will meet Filipino audiences on Friday, October 2, for a special Post-Screening Talkback for KOKUHO at SM Megamall Cinema 2.
The film will screen at 6:00 PM, followed by the Talkback Session at 9:00 PM, where audiences can hear directly from LEE about KOKUHO, his filmmaking process, and the film’s exploration of Kabuki, tradition, artistic legacy, and human relationships. The session will also give audiences the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the filmmaker.
With KOKUHO as the opening film of JFF 2026, LEE Sang-il’s participation marks a significant start to this year’s festival, which carries the theme “Shared Treasure. Shared Stories.”
Following LEE Sang-il’s Manila engagements, JFF 2026 continues its filmmaker series with Director IIZUKA Kasho and his film BLUE BOY TRIAL. Inspired by true events, the film revisits the 1960s “Blue Boy Trial,” in which a doctor performing sex reassignment procedures was arrested, sparking debate on gender reassignment, happiness, and the lives of sexual minorities in Japan.
Director IIZUKA Kasho will hold Post-Screening Talkbacks at SM Cebu on October 22 and SM Manila on October 24, giving audiences an opportunity to continue the conversation with the filmmaker following the screenings. The filmmaker conversations continue through “Journey through Japan on Screen in Manila 2026,” a special film programming initiative presented in partnership of Agency for Cultural Affairs (ACA), Government of Japan and Japan Film Commission (JFC).
As part of the program, Director Jaime Pacena II and Producer Masumi Soga will share insights on KONO BASHO, while International Producer Jason Gray, together with Filipino Producer Alemberg Ang, will join a special discussion on RENOIR.
Through these filmmaker engagements, JFF 2026 creates opportunities for audiences to connect with the people and creative processes behind the films, bringing the festival’s theme of “Shared Treasure. Shared Stories.” to life through shared experiences in cinema.
JFF 2026 is made possible through the continued support and collaboration of organizations and partners who share JFM’s commitment to cultural exchange and bringing Japanese cinema closer to Filipino audiences – Embassy of Japan, SM Supermalls and SM Cinema, JTI Philippines, Agency for Cultural Affairs — Government of Japan, Japan Film Commission, and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
For the complete screening schedule, ticketing guidelines, venue details, and information on talkback sessions and workshops, please visit the official JFF 2026 website (http://www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph) or follow @jfmanila on Facebook and Instagram.
arkadymac.com is proud to have been the media partner for the Japanese Film Festival, Philippines since 2015, so we hope to see you there.
#JFManila #JFFPH2026 #EigaSai #arkadymac
About The Author
