SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL which started in 2004 in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, has been held every year as a “gateway for emerging talent” centered on the International Competition and the Japanese Film Competition (features and shorts). The festival launched the careers of Kazuya Shiraishi (Lesson in Murder), Ryota Nakano (The Asadas), Shinichiro Ueda (One Cut of the Dead), Shinzo Katayama (Missing) and many other directors who are leading the Japanese film industry as top runners and whose new movies audiences are looking forward to seeing.
The 19th edition will be held both at theaters and online from Saturday, July 16th in SKIP CITY, Kawaguchi City in Saitama, with the physical screenings (until Sunday, July 24th) for the first time in three years since 2019.
On Wednesday, June 15th, a press conference was held to announce the full line-up, with the attendance of President of the Jury for International Competition, Shinobu Terajima (Actress) and President of the Jury for Japanese Film Competition, Akiko Ashizawa (Cinematographer). The details are as follows.
The festival will continue to discover new talent that will play a leading role in the future of cinema.
Opening Gala
World Premiere of Deadly School
Brand new film from Teppei Isobe, who won three awards at SKIP CITY
The SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL (IDCF) will return to in-person events for the first time in three years, and open with the latest film by Teppei Isobe, who won awards in three consecutive years with his Who Knows about My Life in 2018, F is for Future in 2019 and Cornflakes in 2020. The film is adapted from Kaoru Asakusa's popular play. The director vividly and wistfully portrays high school girls working hard for their school festival in this coming-of-age ensemble drama. The cast is full of promising actresses, including Miyuu Teshima Ryoka Neya, Karen Kurashima, Nagiko Tsuji, Mina Kuryu, Ayano Kudo and Natsuki Murata. The film will have its world premiere at the festival.
Charity Screenings -Hope for Ukraine-
This Rain Will Never Stop and Love Me
Revival screenings of the two Ukrainian films, which were screened in the past editions
SKIP CITY has screened films from all over the world. This year, the festival will re-screen two Ukrainian films from the past International Competition sections, This Rain Will Never Stop, directed by Alina Gorlova and Love Me, directed by Maryna Er Gorbach and Mehmet Bahadir Er. Proceeds from this program will be donated to support humanitarian aid activities in Ukraine. SKIP CITY hopes you will feel the spirit of Ukraine through the films and support the people there.
©Square Eyes Film
International Competition
All films are Japan Premiere at least! (2 Asian Premiere and 8 Japan Premiere)
President of the Jury: Berlinale Silver Bear winning actress, Shinobu Terajima
Ten achievements by emerging filmmakers from around the world who have strived to find their voice under the difficult circumstances. All films are Japan Premiere at least!
Japanese Film Competition (Feature Length and Short Length)
6 feature films and 8 short films are nominated
President of the Jury: World-renowned cinematographer, Akiko Ashizawa
These challenging titles (10 World Premiere and 4 Japan Premiere) imply the new way of Japanese cinema!
What's New -Filmmakers Making Waves-
World Premiere screenings from the SKIP CITY nominated directors in the past editions
The program will show the latest films by past SKIP CITY selected filmmakers, including Teppei Isobe's opening film Deadly School; the souped-up second installment in the Euglena series by Mikiya Sanada; and the offbeat hoarder comedy by Takayuki Kayano, last year's Japanese Competition Best Picture and Audience Awards winner. All films will have their world premieres at this festival! Don't miss this opportunity to watch the hottest films before their theatrical release!
©断捨離パラダイス
SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL 2022 (the 19th edition) Outline
Dates
Onsite: Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 24, 2022 (9 days)
Online: Thursday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 27, 2022 (7 days)
Screening Venue
Onsite: SKIP CITY Sai-no-Kuni Visual Plaza Audio Visual Hall & Convention Hall, Media Seven, and more
Online: Special Site powered by Cinema Discoveries
Organizers: Saitama Prefecture, Kawaguchi City, SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL Committee, Saitama Visuals Volunteer Group
Website: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/
