We all have a role in our lives, so are film festivals. New York Japan CineFest’s mission is clear. To explore and find unique talent, support their work, vision and cause as we provide a creative playground in the most exciting city in the world, New York City. The festival was founded by two filmmakers, Yasu Suzuki, Kosuke Furukawa, and an event producer, Hiroshi Kono. It was planned for a rather small one-night event. While these three friends were organizing the event, a devastating earthquake occurred in their home country of Japan in 2011. Since then, their motivation geared up to connect Asian films with American and world films and shake up the ground in a positive way to raise spirits.
We hand-selected quality short films in the past, but as we are getting more attention from the industry and distributors, we are opening submissions as we expand our programs for our 9th year.
NYJCF encourages submissions of films that are relevant to Japan, Japanese American and the Japanese communities all around the world, regardless of nationality of filmmakers and production’s country of origin. We also invite films outside of a Japanese subject which are filmed by at least one key creator of Japanese heritage.
After the season-opening at Asia Society in the heart of New York City in June, Any of the selected films have a chance to be screened at our sister film events around the USA and Japan, in cities such as Washington DC, Baltimore, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
NYJCF focuses on independent filmmakers who are committing their full potential to express their voice and vision with the world.
-Best Short Film Award
-Audience Award