島ぜんぶでおーきな祭（さい）©OCVB
沖縄映画興行伝説: History of movie theaters in various areas in Okinawa between 1945 through 1972
A well-known Japanese comedy entertainment company Yoshimoto Kogyo, started in 2009 as 沖縄国際映画祭. This film festival focuses on comedy films in Japan as well as around the world. In 2015, the festival name was changed to 島ぜんぶでおーきな祭.
Starting in 2013 in Naha City, the Kodomo International Film Festival in Okinawa (KIFFO) shows three films (one from Japan) during the three-day festival. Ms. Takao Mihayara, the festival director, film director, producer, and writer, has won the Best Film Award and the Best Director Award at The Asian Festival of First Films.
Cinema at Sea - 沖縄環太平洋国際フィルムフェスティバル | Cinema at Sea- Okinawa Pan-Pacific International Film Festival (English / Japanese)
Cinema at Sea began in November 2023, and over a few days, the festival shines a light on films from the Pan-Pacific region to East Asian audiences. The festival program includes a Pacific Film Competition, Director in Focus, Pacific Islands Showcase, Japan Islands Showcase, ”Mabui Special Award” Screenings, VR Screenings, and other special screenings.
Check the list of our recent acquisitions on Okinawa-related films.
How to find Japanese film directors:
Several directors have made films in or about Okinawa. Some are from Okinawa and some are not. Here is the short list of those directors and their prominent works.
1) Sakurazaka Gekijyo / 桜坂劇場 (Naha City, Okinawa)
2) STAR THEATERS (6 theaters in Okinawa)
3) UNITED CINEMAS PARCO CITY / ユナイティッド・シネマ パルコシティー浦添 (Urasoe, Okinawa)
4) Yoshimoto Minami no shima Panipani Cinema / よしもと南の島 パニパニシネマ (Miyakojima, Okinawa)
5) Yui Road Theater / ゆいロードシアター (Ishigaki City, Okinawa)
Okinawa Film Office presents twelve short films from Okinawa.
