JFF 2019 to be held from September to October across Malaysia
20 Aug – Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2019, marking the 16th edition of the annual festival in Malaysia, is set to bring over 10 interesting movies to 5 cities across the nation.
"Since its early days, JFF has been showcasing titles from an array of genres, themes and perspective of Japan's cinematic heritage. This year, we are delighted to present to you a lineup of 13 titles, ready to capture hearts and minds of Malaysians," said Mr. Shimada Seiya, Director of The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), in his welcome speech at the press conference held earlier today.
The festival lineup, which includes movies released last year as well as this year, features a special title that Malaysians will have the honour of watching first, ahead of the movie's official 20 September release in its home country Japan.
Directed by Imaizumi Rikiya, "Little Nights, Little Love" will make its South East Asian premiere on the opening night of JFF 2019 at GSC Pavilion KL this 3 September.
While the movie's director and cast will be unable to attend due to their schedules, it was revealed by Mr. Shimada and Ms. Kyoko Kugai, Senior Program Officer of JFKL, during the press conference that Mr. Imaizumi and his cast will instead send in a video message to greet the audience on the opening night in KL.
Another highlight for this year is JFF 2019's special feature on music movies called "Music! Music! Music!", showcasing the titles "Farewell Song", a road movie that follows a female indie duo; "Little Love Song", a story of a high school band in Okinawa that is inspired by rock band Mongol800's hits; and "La La La at Rock Bottom", which stars Kanjani8 lead singer Shibutani Subaru and actress-model Nikaido Fumi.
This year also marks a big milestone for JFKL as it celebrates its 30th anniversary since its establishment in Malaysia back in 1989.
With Cinema Online returning as the official online partner for the 11th consecutive year, this year's JFF is set to kick off early next month in 4 cinemas in the Klang Valley before heading to Penang, Johor and East Malaysia.
From 5 to 11 September, JFF 2019 will be held at GSC Mid Valley, GSC 1 Utama, GSC Pavilion Kl and GSC NU Sentral. It will then head north to GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang, from 12 to 15 September, before heading south to GSC Paradigm Mall JB, Johor Bahru, from 19 to 22 September.
The film festival will wrap up in early October, following its 3 to 6 October simultaneous run at GSC CityONE Megamall, Kuching, and GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.
Tickets for JFF 2019 movies are priced at RM9 each and will be available for purchase from this 29 August onwards.
