Japanese Film Festival 2024 launched with thump and fanfare

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Japanese Film Festival 2024 launched with thump and fanfare

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Writer: Michelle Tan

The Japanese Film Festival 2024 is officially launched

11 Sep - The Japanese Film Festival 2024 (JFF) was officially launched at its Opening Ceremony with much fanfare last night at The Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX KL.

Organised annually by The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the festival. The festival has come a long way from its humble and small beginnings back in 2004 to now being one of the most anticipated premier platform for Malaysians to enjoy the best of Japanese cinema annually, not just in the Klang Valley but also in Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

2024 also marks the 70th anniversary of one of Japan's most iconic kaiju movie that defined an entire genre - "Godzilla". In conjunction with this, the Academy Awards winner, "Godzilla Minus One" was screened during the Opening Ceremony to invited guests. It also marked the premiere of "Godzilla Minus One" in Malaysian cinemas. IMAX screenings of the movie will run exclusively at The Aurum, The Exchange TRX.

Mr. TSUKAMOTO Norihisa (Director, The Japan Foundation KL), H.E. Mr. TAKAHASHI Katsuhiko (Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in Malaysia), YB Tuan Ahmad Fahmi (Minister of Communication and Digital), Ms. Koh Mei Lee (CEO, GSC)

With sponsors and partners of the Japanese Film Festival 2024

There will be two JFF 2024 Special GODZILLA Programmes:

GODZILLA 70th Anniversary Marathon

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of "Godzilla", the festival brings you both the original 1954 classic "Godzilla" and the latest 2023 reimagination "Godzilla Minus One". Catch both films back to back in this special marathon at GSC Mid Valley, GSC 1 Utama and GSC Gurney Plaza and get an exclusive gift!

"Godzilla Minus One" IMAX screening

Catch the Academy Award winner for Best Visual Effects, "Godzilla Minus One" in IMAX only at AURUM Theatre, The Exchange TRX. Witness the true scale and terror of Godzilla on the big IMAX screen and hear every thump and roar with state-of-the-art sound system, all in the luxurious AURUM Theatre. [The tickets for the special IMAX screening for "Godzilla Minus One" are at RM 50.00]

"Godzilla" (1954) needs no introduction

Catch the special IMAX screening for "Godzilla Minus One" in AURUM Theatre

The Festival presents a diverse range of films of different genres to cater to the tastes of different audiences with an exciting selection of 13 films. There are several family dramas in titles such as "To Mom, With Love", "Masked Hearts" and "Mom, Is That You?"

For those who love the shoujo, or girls' comic genre, there is the romance "Our Secret Diary" and "One Second Ahead, One Second Behind".

There is even a murder-mystery for thrill-seekers, "Matched". To tickle your funny bone, don't miss "Let's Go Karaoke!" and "A Samurai in Time." "All the Long Nights" deal with the stigma of mental health and social pressures.

Let's not forget Japanese anime with "Sand Land", the theatrical adaptation based on the work of the late legendary Akira Toriyama, the creator of the much-beloved "Dragon Ball" series. Classic anime "AKIRA" (1988), a sci-fi post-apocalyptic film set in Neo-Tokyo about the leader of a biker gang is one of the 13 titles selected for this festival.

And as with every year of the JFF, the popular stamp rally is also back, and the prizes are bigger than ever. For those who collect 3 stamps, they will get festival goodies such as gifts from Vida, Kao, vouchers from Kinokuniya and notebooks by ana tomy specially designed for the festival. And for the most dedicated of moviegoers, chances to win some Canon products. So don't forget your festival booklet when you come and watch the movies and collect those stamps.

Tickets for JFF 2024 are priced at RM 10.00 (except "A Samurai in Time" which will be sold at prevailing ticket price). Tickets can be purchased one week before the first screening at each region and are available through GSC channels (GSC Ticketing Kiosk, GSC e-payment at gsc.com.my or GSC Mobile Apps).

All films will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

For movie information, visit Cinema Online's Japanese Film Festival 2024 page HERE.

The festival will kick off beginning in Klang Valley at 3 locations: GSC Midvalley Megamall, GSC 1 Utama and AURUM, The Exchange TRX from 12-18 September.

The Festival will then be at the following cities and GSC locations:

Penang: 19-22 October at GSC Gurney Plaza
Johor Bahru: 26-29 September at GSC Paradigm Mall JB
Kuching, Sarawak: 10-13 October at GSC CityONE Megamall
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: 17-20 October at GSC Suria Sabah

Cinema Online, 11 September 2024