7 Oct – The Japanese Film Festival 2022 has been officially launched in Kuching, ready to entice all film lovers and new audiences alike with the best of Japanese cinema. The ceremony was held at GSC CityONE Megamall, graced by the presence of YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak and Mr. Shiraishi Masashi, Chief Executive in Malaysia, General Manager of Kuala Lumpur Office, Mitsubishi Corporation. "This annual celebration has been playing an important role in promoting mutual understandings between Japan and Sarawak through the films screened at the festival," said YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in his speech. "I am relieved and excited to see how the world is slowly opening up with various events happening physically all around and looking forward to what is in store in the future," shared Mr. Shimada Seiya, Director of The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur.
He further adds that this year, JFF is also one of the collaborators for "What About Kuching", a home-grown community-driven month-long festival of the arts, culture, and lifestyle of the people of Kuching and Sarawak which was recently launched on 1 October. "The year 2022 also marks the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy which was first initiated back in February 1982. To date, JFKL has been providing platforms and avenues of cultural exchange for people in Malaysia and Japan, including bringing top notch Japanese films to cinemas across Malaysia," said Mr. Shimada.
"Through this wonderful event, we hope to nurture better understanding towards Japanese people, society and culture and foster a closer relationship between Malaysia and Japan," said Mr. Shiraishi Masashi. He further adds that this year is the 10th year Mitsubishi Corporation is sponsoring this event since its inauguration in Kuching in 2012. The Japanese Film Festival 2022 in Kuching will run at GSC CityONE Megamall and GSC The Spring from 6 to 9 October, simultaneously with Kota Kinabalu at GSC Suria Sabah, after a successful run in Klang Valley, Pulau Pinang and Johor Bahru. All films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles. Tickets will be sold at RM 9.50 except for "Just Remembering" which will be sold at prevailing ticket pricing. Cinema Online is proud to be the official partner of the Japanese Film Festival 2022 that is organised by the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur. For movie showtimes and information, visit our Japanese Film Festival 2022 page HERE.