Kyoto International Film and Art Festival 2016: Lineup and Recommendations

Contributing Writer; Tokyo, Japan (@patrykczekaj)

Although only in its third year, Kyoto International Film and Art Festival is quickly becoming one of the most interesting and rich film festival in Japan.

Deeply ingrained in the culture and history of this magnificent city, the festival caters not only to devoted cinema lovers, but also to arts and cratfs enthusiasts, with the goal of helping expose local talent to international audiences. Given its diversified lineup, KIFF, which advertises itself on the homepage as an event that focuses on "film, art, and everything else", has undoubtedly a lot to offer to all kinds of visitors.

(Read more below.)

The fllms, divided into several sections including: Documentary, Silent Movies, TV Director's Movie, Rissei Film School, and Local Community-Based Movies, among others, will be often accompanied by special events or on-stage performances. For example, the special showing of Nakajima Sadao's Chambara: The Art of Japanese Swordplay will conclude with an actual chambara scene. To make more people accustomed with the narration techniques practiced in the era of silent cinema, the much anticipated screening of Ozu Yasujiro's 1931 comedy The Lady and the Beard will be narrated live by a benshi storyteller. In addition, one of the sections of the programme is dedicated to the promotion of pictures made by up-and-coming film students living and filming in Kyoto, while another centers on features made in collaboration with the Okinawa International Movie Festival. Both festivals are backed by Yoshimoto Kogyo, a renowned Japanese comedy-entertainment conglomerate.

For those in need of a break from all the cinema-going, KIFF offers an impressive variety of exhibitions, workshops, and shows, followed by guest talks from famous local artists.

Kyoto International Film and Art Festival 2016 takes place from October 13th to 16th. The opening ceremony will be held in the magnificent Nijo Castle, a world heritage site, whereas the closing ceremony will take place at the beautiful Okura Hotel, situated in the heart of the old capital. The winner of the festival will receive the prestigious Toshiro Mifune Award.

Check out our recommendations in this gallery!

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