Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2026 Returns to Hollywood September 18–20 with Free Screenings of Japanese Feature, Short and Independent Films
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Japan Film Festival Los Angeles (JFFLA) 2026 will take place September 18–20, 2026, in Hollywood, bringing three days of Japanese cinema, cultural performances, filmmaker conversations, and special events to Los Angeles audiences. The festival will also offer online screenings worldwide from September 10–30.
Under the theme “Your Window to Japanese Cinema,” JFFLA 2026 presents a diverse selection of feature-length, medium-length, and short films, with a particular focus on independent filmmakers and works connected to Japan. The festival is designed to serve as a bridge between Japanese filmmakers and international audiences while introducing viewers to the culture, traditions, creativity, and contemporary perspectives of Japan.
Many festival screenings and events are free and open to the public.
JFFLA 2026 In-Person Screening Schedule
Screening & Opening Event — Hang on to the Dream Theatre, Hollywood
6:30 p.m. — Opening & Short Film Screening
Ordinary Life, HELP_ed, The Nikkei of Norwalk, Home
8:20 p.m. — Local Night Screenings
KORAKUEN, Ritual
Screening & Events — Hang on to the Dream Theatre, Hollywood
11:00 a.m. — Bite to Bite
Screening + Director Q&A
12:40 p.m. — Short Film Screening A
The Message, DRUNK, 202X
2:00 p.m. — California Scenario
Screening + Director Q&A
4:05 p.m. — Short Film Screening B
Round and Round, Sorry I Am No Help To You!, Hafu
Screening + Director Q&A
5:25 p.m. — Mikusu Modern
Screening + Director Q&A
7:35 p.m. — Horror Night Screening
Six Days Later, Gary Zone, Gurglephobis
Screening + Director Q&A
Screenings, Awards Ceremony & Closing Events — JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, Hollywood
11:00 a.m. — Samurai Sword Performance
Presented by the BURAI team
11:15 a.m. — Special Performance, Short Film Screening & Bilingual Talk
Featuring ThisIsDance ENVISION and KILLED IT, followed by a bilingual talk with Marisa Hamamoto and Infinite Flow Dance.
12:05 p.m. — Short Plus: Return to My Blue & Short Film Screening
Tea Time, FAAAWWW!!!, The Missing Post Office
2:00 p.m. — Director & Actors Talk Event
3:00 p.m. — Persona Non Grata: The Story of Chiune Sugihara
Screening + Director Q&A
Online Screenings: September 10–30
JFFLA 2026 will also extend its reach beyond Los Angeles with online screenings from September 10 through September 30.
Through global online distribution, the festival aims to share the “goodness of Japan” with audiences around the world — including Japanese culture, traditions, stories, and contemporary creative expression — through the universal language of film.
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles is delighted to present the following films in the 21st annual event.
(*All films have been selected through our public submissions process. Selections are listed in alphabetical order.)
Short Film (under 30 min)
– DRUNK (d. Yuki Otsuka, Japan, 2026)
– Gray Zone (d. Ryuichi Ohmikawa, Japan, 2026)
– Gurglephobia (d. Yuta Takaue, Japan, 2025)
– Hāfu (d. Josh Wolff, U.S., 2025)
– HELP_ed_ed (d. Sora Nakabayashi, Japan, 2026)
– Home (d. Shusei Sasaya, Japan, 2025)
– Killed It (d. Marisa Hamamoto/Kenzo Le, U.S., 2025)
– Ordinary Life (d. Yoriko Mizushiri, France/Japan, 2025)
– Ritual (d. Jared LaCroix/Jordan Bellamy, U.S., 2025)
– Round and Round (d. Hayato Otogi, Japan, 2025)
– Shapes in Between: Norman Takeuchi’s Journey (d. Aki Takabatake, Canada/Japan, 2026)
– Six days later. (d. Shinji Sasaki, Japan, 2025)
– Sorry, I Am No Help to You (d. TaeHyoung Kim, Japan, 2024)
– TeaTime (d. Kohei Hirota, Japan, 2025)
– The Nikkei of Norwalk (d. Jeffrey Gee Chin, U.S., 2025)
– The Message (d. Hiroki Utsunomiya, Japan, 2026)
– #ThisIsDance ENVISION (d. Marisa Hamamoto, U.S., 2025)
Short + (31 min – 60 min)
– 202X (d. Yusuke Wada, Japan, 2025)
– Korakuen (d. Mia Ando, U.S., 2025)
– Return to My Blue (d. Yuta Noguchi, Japan, 2025)
Feature (60 min and Up)
– Bite to Bite (d. Kelly Lipscomb, U.S., 2025)
– California Scenario (d. James Takata, U.S., 2025)
– Echoes of Wings (d. Tsumugi Terao, Japan, 2025)
– Feeling The Hurt (d. Koichi Yamashina, Japan, 2025)
– Mikusu Modan (d. Toshizo Fujiwara, Japan, 2025)
– Persona Non Grata: Chiune Sugihara (d. Cellin Gluck, Japan, 2015)
From the Chanoma Film Festival to JFFLA
The history of JFFLA dates back to 2003, when the festival began as the Chanoma Film Festival, centered on the concept of chanoma — the traditional Japanese family living room and a place where people gather, share everyday experiences, and connect with one another.
The original festival focused on heartwarming films portraying the daily lives of Japanese families. Its goal was to introduce American audiences to Japan while creating a pathway for Japanese filmmakers seeking opportunities to enter the U.S. market.
In 2008, the festival was renamed the Japan Film Festival Los Angeles to more clearly communicate its mission to American and international audiences.
By 2026, JFFLA has been held 21 times, establishing a longstanding presence for Japanese cinema and culture in Los Angeles.
Since 2019, the current festival representatives and producers have continued to expand the festival’s programming, presenting films that explore Japanese culture, values, history, and spiritual traditions while developing a more internationally oriented approach to film selection and festival management.
Over the years, filmmakers and actors from both Japan and the United States have participated in the festival. JFFLA programming has encompassed not only narrative dramas, but also documentaries, social-issue films, animation, and classic films.
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles is presented by the Japan America Media Association, a nonprofit charitable organization.
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2026
September 18–20, 2026 — Hollywood, Los Angeles
Online screenings: September 10–30, 2026
Theme: “Your Window to Japanese Cinema”
For additional information, festival programming, screening details, and updates, please visit https://jffla.org/