Japanese Film Festival 2026 to screen 11 films in Davao City from Nov. 13 to 22

Davao City audiences will be able to watch 11 Japanese films on the big screen from Nov. 13 to Nov. 22, 2026, as the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2026 comes to the city, according to Mindanao Times.

The festival is organised by the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) and will run in six cities and eight venues across the Philippines. It is being held in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Cinema.

This year's theme is "Shared Treasure. Shared Stories." The festival also marks two milestones: the 70th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, and the 30th anniversary of JFM.

The opening film is KOKUHO, directed by LEE Sang-il. Set in the world of Kabuki theatre, the film deals with ambition, friendship, rivalry, family and sacrifice. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and later won several awards at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize, including Picture of the Year, Director of the Year for LEE, and Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for YOSHIZAWA Ryo. Another of LEE's films, Hula Girls, is also part of the lineup.

The programme mixes recent releases, classics and animation. Among the titles named by organisers are KUROSAWA Akira's Throne of Blood, Studio Ghibli's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, UNDER NINJA starring YAMAZAKI Kento, and YAMADA Yoji's TOKYO TAXI.

Organisers said moviegoers can also join activation campaigns during the festival for a chance to receive freebies and exclusive JFF 2026 merchandise.

The festival is supported by the Embassy of Japan, SM Supermalls and SM Cinema, JTI Philippines, the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan, the Japan Film Commission and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

The full lineup, film ratings, screening schedule, ticketing guidelines and venue details are available on the official JFF 2026 website and on JFM's Facebook and Instagram pages under @jfmanila.