With autumn bringing pleasant weather and the state of emergency lifted, Tokyo is slowly coming back to life. This means friends will start meeting and shopping again—and that people will return to the cinema. Luckily, there is a perfect event to welcome everyone back.
Hibiya Cinema Festival is back this year to give Tokyo film fans unique ways to appreciate the movies. Whether you’re an international film enthusiast or are looking for something fun to do with your family, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The fourth annual Hibiya Cinema Festival will take place in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya on October 22–29. Entry is free and special viewing seats and family seating will soon be available for reservations. There will be three main movie experiences offered throughout the week: Park Cinema, Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Hibiya, and Kinejun Library in Hibiya.
Park Cinema
Park Cinema will be available all week from 11am to 5pm at Hibiya Step Plaza until October 28. This experience encourages parents to bring their children to watch popular movies while being able to play and relax in an open-air environment.
Hit movies such as The Goonies, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Minions will be shown on an outdoor screen with a lawn area for sitting on. There will also be new family seating arrangements which include sets of chairs, tables, and play equipment for the kids. With parents able to relax outdoors and kids entertained with the movies or on the play equipment, everyone's a winner.
Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Hibiya
The third Toronto Japanese Film Festival was an event originally held earlier this year in Canada to showcase critically acclaimed Japanese films. It now comes to Japan as the Hibiya Cinema Festival selects popular favorites among the event’s original lineup to show in Tokyo. Audiences now have the chance to enjoy films that have received praise both domestically and internationally.
There will also be a talk show with director Akiko Ohku, who is the director of Hold Me Back, which will be shown at the event. Known for making critically acclaimed films about female protagonists dealing with contemporary dilemmas, Ohku will share her behind-the-scenes insights with attendees. Check out this talk show in person or watch from home with the online livestream!
Hold Me Back (私をくいとめて), The Brightest Roof in the Universe (宇宙でいちばんあかるい屋根), Ora, Ora Be Goin’ Alone (おらおらでひとりいぐも), True Mothers (朝が来る) and more will be shown throughout the week from 6:15pm to 9pm. at Hibiya Step Plaza. All films will have English subtitles. Foreign residents living in Tokyo and Japanese audiences interested in how these films have been received abroad can both enjoy this reverse-imported movie experience.
Kinejun Library in Hibiya
Launched in 1919, Kinema Junpou magazine has been called the movie magazine with the longest history in the world. Last year, a panel exhibition dedicated to the magazine was a big hit. This year’s event will allow you to browse through plenty of back issues all in one place. Kinejun Library will be held from 11am to 6pm on the sixth floor of Tokyo Midtown Hibiya at Base Q Kitchen until October 28. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to stroll through cinema history.
Offering everything from fun, youthful movies to internationally acclaimed Japanese films, Hibiya Cinema Festival has something for everyone. If you still haven’t had your fill of movies by the end, the Tokyo International Film Festival will begin the day after, from October 30. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
