[Nara International Film Festival] “Nara International Film Festival for YOUTH 2025” – Held on September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, screening lineup announced! – A selection of films from film festivals around the world!
Nara International Film Festival Press release: September 1, 2025 To Members of the Press “Nara International Film Festival for YOUTH 2025” – September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, screening lineup announced! – A selection of films from film festivals around the world! Screening eight exceptional films, including Berlin International Film Festival recommendations and SSFF & ASIA award-winning films The Nara International Film Festival, a nonprofit organization (Location: Nara City, Nara Prefecture; Chairperson: Naomi Kawase), will be holding the “Nara International Film Festival for YOUTH 2025,” a film festival created primarily by teenagers, from September 21st (Sun) to 23rd (Tue, national holiday), 2025. On Monday, September 22nd, at the Osaka-Kansai Expo Signature Pavilion “Proof of Life,” two films will be screened: “En,” the latest work created at this year’s Youth Filmmaking Workshop, and “Yamanobe Radio,” a short film production project organized by NARAtive jr., organized by the Nara International Film Festival. On Sunday, September 21st and Tuesday, September 23rd (national holiday), the Nara Park Bus Terminal Hall will screen these two films, as well as three films from the Berlin International Film Festival and five award-winning works from the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. These masterpieces that have captivated film fans from around the world will be coming to Nara.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-c30c9d255adf091e32cdacb152d403ae-512×288.png A story of the growth and music of Dhunu, a girl from a small village in India. Village Rockstars 2 Director/Screenwriter: Rima Das | 108 minutes | 2024 | India, Singapore, China | Subtitles: Japanese & English | World Sales: Diversion Set in a small village in Assam, India, this is the coming-of-age story of Dhunu, a teenage girl. Dreaming of becoming a musician, Dhunu lives a simple yet happy life, but one day, the harsh reality of life confronts her. Still, she continues to look forward, determined to rediscover the deep connection between music and life.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-df807a9ce648200c8cea27ee2fb915d2-512×342.jpg A gentle and humorous story set in a seaside town where free-spirited children and adults harboring secrets intersect. The Road to the Seaside Director/Screenplay: Yokohama Satoko | 141 minutes | 2025 | Japan | Subtitles: English | Distributor: Tokyo Theatre, Free Stone Productions (C)︎2025 “The Road to the Seaside” Film Production Committee https://umibe-movie.jp/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-30fce044332d8391d8f669c3e12fcff6-512×297.jpg A story of loss and growth for Eya, who suddenly loses her beloved older brother. Tête Brûlée Director/Screenplay: Maja-Azmir Ide-Zelama | 84 minutes | 2025 | Belgium | Subtitles: Japanese & English | World Sales: MAD DISTRIBUTION Eya, 12, is a girl growing up in a Tunisian family in Brussels. This is the story of a boy who suddenly loses his beloved older brother and is enveloped in a deep mourning ritual, but overcomes his grief with the help of his imagination and the support of his friends, and takes a step towards adulthood. Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2025 Award-Winning Films Selection The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA), recognized by the Academy Awards and Asia’s largest international short film festival, is one of Asia’s largest film festivals, showcasing a diverse range of short films from around the world. We will be screening five of the 2025 award-winning films.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-265fe8375d4f3521f4be2940b84906a7-512×340.png I See You Peek-a-Boo! Director/Screenwriter: Briar March | 17 minutes 09 seconds | 2024 | New Zealand | Subtitles: Japanese In an era where people can choose their perfect child, a young mother struggles to love and accept her daughter for who she is.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-d6759cb7c9b3980757c8d63873248d30-512×285.png Behind the Bars Director and Screenwriter: Nathan Fagan | 14 minutes 59 seconds | 2024 | Ireland | Subtitles: Japanese Through long periods of solitary confinement, three prisoners trapped in this endless horror find refuge and refuge in the limitless fantasy worlds of their own imaginations.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-1c05839e8cb1fa2d6c002ee17675e21d-512×286.png Ikigai Director and Screenwriter: Trent Cooper | 20 minutes 12 seconds | 2023 | USA | Subtitles: Japanese The phone finally came. For two years after graduating from college, Alirilwan Adiyami had been working hard to stay in shape. He hadn’t given up on his dream, and finally, an NFL team was calling. But the answer he got was
unexpected.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-b8b93619aef3aeea3e849488d47557dc-512×220.png Varya’s Adventure Director and Screenwriter: Gonçalo Almeida | 8 minutes 45 seconds | 2024 | Portugal | Subtitles: Japanese A recurring rumbling echoes through Varya’s burrow, disrupting her routine and forcing her to step into the unknown.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-10c3e04b8e6a5b49efee304577a2c48b-602×400.png Ripped Pantyhose Director and Screenwriter: Fabian Munsterhjelm | 14 minutes 30 seconds | 2024 | Finland | Subtitles: Japanese A couple is about to leave home to attend an important event. They have everything they need: keys, smartphone, invitation. But she has a hole in her pantyhose! This summer, four people between the ages of 13 and 17 created a work called “En.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-81c8270b1d20c884db3fb968f58b014f-1546×2259.png “En” is a film written, shot, directed, and edited entirely by teenagers. En en Director/Screenwriter: Inoue Rakusai, Maeo Nayu, Yamada Rino, Nakagoshi Kikuo | 13 minutes | 2025 | Japan The Nara International Film Festival’s Youth Filmmaking Project is a youth-only program based on the philosophy of “not treating children like children.” From scriptwriting to filming, directing, and editing, the program is led by young people. In 2025, film director Kakuei Shimada was invited as a special lecturer, and four participants, aged 13 to 17, participated in the short film “en.” [Screening & Stage Greetings] Monday, September 22nd, 7:00 PM, Osaka-Kansai Expo Signature Pavilion “Proof of Life” September 23rd (Tuesday, national holiday), 4:30 PM, Nara Park Bus Terminal Lecture Hall “Yamanobe Radio” A human drama connected by newspaper delivery
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-a42076f48c98d4211cbad30561978b20-512×342.jpg Yamanobe Radio Director: Yorinori Komatsu | 27 minutes | 2025 | Japan The Nara International Film Festival is running the “NARAtive Jr.” project, which seeks short film directors from young people between the ages of 18 and 24. For the third “NARAtive Jr.” project in 2024, Yorinari Komatsu (18) from Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, was selected as director from among the proposals submitted by three people (four films). The short film, “Yamanobe Radio,” was shot in Tenri City. [Screening & Stage Greetings] Sunday, September 21st, 6:00 PM, Nara Park Bus Terminal Lecture Hall Monday, September 22nd, from 7:00 PM, Osaka-Kansai Expo Signature Pavilion “Proof of Life” Tickets are 1,000 yen per program, and as a “local discount,” Nara Prefecture residents can see the second film for free. The youth production “En” is a free screening. Admission to the screening of “Proof of Life” at the Osaka-Kansai Expo is free, but a separate admission ticket to the Expo venue is required. [Event Overview]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-941b13d6e1b41371e7706f05e83f1566-432×432.png If so, get tickets to the International Film Festival here Event Name: Nara International Film Festival for YOUTH 2025 Dates and Venue: ▶September 21st (Sun) and 23rd (Tue, National Holiday), 2025 Nara Park Bus Terminal Lecture Hall (76 Noborioji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture) ▶Monday, September 22, 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo Signature Pavilion “Proof of Life” Price: 1,000 yen per program Tickets: https://niff2025youth.peatix.com/ Supporting comments
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-1812ba4a4a6e56cec3cf93047346c1fb-800×1200.jpg Tetsuya Bessho Tetsuya Bessho (SSFF & (ASIA Representative/Nara International Film Festival Ambassador) I am truly looking forward to the Nara International Film Festival for Youth 2025, where aspiring filmmakers will create the festival with their own hands. The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia continues to support the challenges of young creators from around the world and connect their talents to the future. It gives me great hope that this project, in which the next generation plays a central role, is being nurtured here in Nara. I hope that the young people taking on the challenges of filmmaking, judging, and festival management will encounter new forms of expression and new friends through this experience, broadening their horizons. As an ambassador for the Nara International Film Festival, I will do my best to support you so that your passion and creativity can reach the world.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127743/12/127743-12-e71fc49f7d3099d4ea9a5e68ba5f0acd-900×1200.jpg Shoko Mugasa Shoko Mugasa (SSFF & ASIA Festival Director) The five films being screened this time are award-winning works selected from the approximately 4,500 films submitted to SSFF & ASIA 2025. Though they span a wide range of genres and countries, they are all memorable works that question the meaning of life. At first glance, these stories may seem like they come from a world far removed from your everyday life. However, I’m sure you’ll find hope for the future of humanity and thoughts that resonate with your own. 【Organization Overview】Nara International Film Festival, a Specified Nonprofit Organization
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https://www.city.nara.lg.jp/site/furusato/59574.html In cooperation with the Nara Prefecture Film Culture Revival Executive Committee Grant: Nara City Spiritual Hometown Support Donation and Charm Promotion Partner Support Organization Subsidy Program