The Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) aims to facilitate human resources development and exchange, to invigorate the Osaka economy, and to increase the city's appeal, through providing opportunities to watch excellent Asian films, supporting filmmaking in Osaka and attracting filmmakers from Asian countries and regions to Osaka. Promoting Osaka worldwide as a gateway city for Asian films, and engaging with many people from the fields of culture, art, education, tourism and business, from Osaka and all of Asia, OAFF works as an open platform to contribute to the development of Osaka and cinema.
Marking its 16th edition this year, OAFF, under programming director TERUOKA Sozo (暉峻創三), will again select high-quality Asian films. The Competition section, which receives increased recognition every year, will again select films previously unreleased in Japan. The Indie Forum
section, special programs and other sections will also feature a wide variety of excellent Asian films.
For this year, there will be a physical event, minus talks and autograph sessions. In addition to our regular theatrical screenings, works shown at previous editions of the Osaka Asian Film Festival will be screened online as “Osaka Asian Film Festival Online”. As the situation surrounding movie viewing changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, we still aim to convey the charm of movie culture and Asian movies to a wider range of people.
OAFF attracts a large number of viewers from all over Japan and overseas, as well as from the local Kansai area. From Osaka to all of Japan and all of Asia, OAFF introduces many films and strives to make Osaka a hub of moving image culture.
Dates
On screen (OAFF 2021 program): March 5 – March 14
Online (Selected films from previous OAFF programs): February 28 – March 20
Venues
Umeda Burg 7, Cine Libre Umeda, ABC Hall, and others.
Screen Programs
[Competition]
This section will present the latest Asian films, all of which will have their Japan premieres at OAFF. From these films, the international jurors will choose the winners of the Grand Prix and Most Promising Talent Award.
[Indie Forum]
The Indie Forum section features innovative and challenging films every year. To support international promotion of Japanese films, Japan Society in New York City bestows the JAPAN CUTS Award for the best film in the section.
Other sections and special programs】
These sections and the special programs feature new movements in cinema from all around Asia.
The OAFF 2021 line-up will be announced in mid-February.
Details such as viewing method and viewing area will be announced on the Official Website late February.
[Online Opening Film]
The Japanese movie “WHOLE”, which won the JAPAN CUTS Award Special Mention at the 14th Osaka Asian Film Festival, held in 2019, will be screened from February 28, the first day of online screenings. “WHOLE” questions what it is to be mixed race in Japan in a sensitive and insightful drama. It was directed by KAWAZOE Bilal (川添ビイラル), a rising director, whose previous film “Nami to Tomoni” (With the Waves/波と共に) was shown at the Short Film Corner at Cannes. He has worked under numerous film directors including KAWASE Naomi (河瀨直美).
Introduction of ”WHOLE”
2019/Japan/44 min. (short film) Director: KAWAZOE Bilal (川添ビイラル)
Synopsis: Haruki, a biracial student decides to quit college and travel to Japan to better understand his Japanese roots. Upon arrival Haruki experiences racial adversity and struggles to connect with his parents, however, one day Haruki meets a guy named Makoto; a construction worker raised in the projects of Kansai who is also biracial. Although Haruki and Makoto are complete opposites in terms of personality and socioeconomic status, they quickly form a friendship. Through a series of events, Haruki and Makoto grow closer and begin their journey from “Half” to “Whole.”
Other Events
[OAFF Poster Exhibitions]
Posters of selected films from OAFF 2021 will be exhibited.
Period: February 24 – March 12
Venue: Osaka City Hall in Yodoyabashi
Period: March 1 – March 14
Venue: Abeno Q's MALL
[Asian Book Fair]
In collaboration with the mega bookstore MARUZEN & JUNKUDO Umeda, an Asian Book Fair will be held.
Dates: February 15 – March 30
Venue: MARUZEN & JUNKUDO Umeda, 5F Art Book section
Cooperation: MARUZEN & JUNKUDO Umeda
Organized by
Osaka Executive Committee for the Promotion of Moving Image Culture (Osaka City/Osaka Asian Film Festival/Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry/ Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/Asahi Broadcasting Corporation/Osaka Association of Theater Owners/MEDIA PLUS Co., LTD.)
Special sponsors
Ministry of Culture, Taiwan/Hong Kong Special Administration Region Economic and Trade Office Tokyo/Kobe College, Department of English/Housen Cultural Foundation
Supported by
Japan Arts Council
