Film is a medium that carries the culture of a place within it and reaches audiences across borders. Since 2016, Japanese Film Festival (JFF) has been instrumental in sharing the magic of Japanese cinema with the world and fostering cultural exchange. In 2017, JFF premiered in India, paving the way for a sustained partnership. From its inception, JFF India became the first and only film festival in India to go beyond a single city, travelling across the country to introduce more audiences to the diverse world of Japanese cinema.

The love that India has for films has always shone through in the enthusiastic response to JFF.

In 2019, the festival toured seven cities, marking a scale at which it had not previously been held in India. A line-up of 25 films was presented, including popular and critically acclaimed titles such as Your Name, Shoplifters and Weathering with You. With genres ranging from anime and thrillers to musicals, the festival offered something for audiences of all ages and interests.

In 2022, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, the festival focused exclusively on filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, whose work had garnered a passionate following among anime fans across India. The festival showcased six of his feature films, along with film versions of two RADWIMPS concerts.

In 2023, building on the immense popularity of Makoto Shinkai’s films in India, JFF brought his latest film, Suzume, to theatres, giving audiences across the country an opportunity to experience it on the big screen.

In 2024, the festival travelled to Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune and Guwahati, where audiences warmly embraced a diverse selection of Japanese films. The year also marked JFF’s first collaboration with Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!! in Delhi, featuring a lineup dedicated entirely to anime films. The edition also included a special screening of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (English Version).

In 2025, the festival travelled to eight cities across India, bringing diverse Japanese stories and cinematic experiences to audiences across the country. The edition also featured the India premiere of SHIN CHAN: THE SPICY KASUKABE DANCERS IN INDIA. In Delhi, the festival once again presented a lineup dedicated entirely to anime, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the energy, imagination and storytelling of Japanese animation on the big screen.

In 2026, JFF is delighted to collaborate with Mela! Mela! Anime Japan!! once again, marking our third collaboration with the festival in Delhi. This year, audiences can look forward to another curated selection of Japanese anime films, bringing the world of anime to the big screen once again.

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