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MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Following the success of its first Metro Manila leg at Shangri-La Plaza, the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2025 returns to one of its longtime partner venues—the UPFI Cine Adarna—and, for the first time, expands its reach to SM City Manila, marking an exciting milestone for the festival’s growing audience in the capital.
Previously closed for renovations during JFF’s February run, the UPFI Cine Adarna now reopens its doors with a full lineup of Japanese cinema. From October 10 to 18, audiences can enjoy eight days of screenings featuring 12 films, a mix of contemporary titles and restored classics that highlight the depth and diversity of Japanese filmmaking.
Iwai Shunji’s “Love Letter” (1995)—newly restored in 4K and screened last week together with Oshii Mamoru’s cyberpunk masterpiece “Ghost in the Shell” (1995), and Kurosawa Akira’s timeless epic “Seven Samurai” (1954).
Audiences can also look forward to a virtual talkback with director Iwai after the screening of “Love Letter” on October 18, 4:20 PM. The talk will offer rare insights into his creative process, as the film continues to resonate with new generations of viewers.
As part of this year’s festival experience, the beloved JFF Stamp Rally returns—inviting audiences to collect stamps on their festival brochures for a chance to win limited-edition JFF tote bags and special JFF chocolates provided by Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolates. Festival-goers are reminded to bring their brochures to every screening, as these are non-transferable and cannot be combined with other entries. However, attendees from other regional JFF screenings or the Shangri-La Plaza leg may continue using their existing brochures and stamps for the final raffle.
Adding to the excitement, audiences are encouraged to join the JFF Theater Raffle by scanning the onsite JFF Theater QR code to register for a JFF Theater account, for a chance to win an exclusive JFF t-shirt, announced after each screening.
After UPFI, the celebration of Japanese cinema continues as JFF heads to SM City Manila, opening on October 17 and running until October 26. The SM City Manila leg will serve as the closing stop for this year’s festival, capping off months of screenings and cultural exchange across the Philippines.
Simultaneously, JFF screenings in the regions kicked off last September 26 and continued in Davao last October 10 at SM Lanang; and in Clark on October 17 at SM City Clark.
The Japanese Film Festival 2025 is organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila. (Eunice Helera)