The second edition of the Japanese Film Festival Africa 2025/2026 in Rwanda brought Japanese cinema and storytelling closer to Rwandan audiences through film screenings held at the Centre Culturel Francophone du Rwanda in Kigali from 21 to 24 October 2026.
The festival featured four Japanese films presented in their original Japanese language, with French and English subtitles. Over the course of the event, film lovers and festival enthusiasts had the opportunity to discover Japanese culture, including traditions, greetings, food, language, clothing and everyday life, through the stories portrayed on screen.
For many participants, the festival offered an opportunity to explore Japan beyond its cinema. One participant shared their experience, saying:
“Watching the movies was a great experience. I discovered Japanese architectural styles and cities, which attracted me and made me wish to visit the country.”
The screenings provided a cultural window into Japanese society, allowing audiences to appreciate the country’s urban landscapes, architecture and way of life while discovering different approaches to storytelling.
A Closing Night Marked by The Real You
The festival’s closing night featured The Real You, a 2024 Japanese drama film written and directed by Yuya Ishii. The film tells the story of Akiko, whose sudden death leads her son, Sakuya, to explore the world of technology through a virtual figure (VF).
The screening brought the festival to a close with a story that explores the relationship between human experiences and technology, offering audiences another perspective on contemporary Japanese cinema.
The festival also welcomed the ambassadors of France and Japan to Rwanda. Their presence highlighted the cultural connections fostered through international artistic exchanges and reflected the friendship between France and Japan, alongside the broader role of cultural diplomacy in bringing people and nations closer together.
Cinema as a Bridge Between Rwanda and Japan
The second edition of the Japanese Film Festival was made possible through the efforts of the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda, the Japan Foundation and the Japanese Film Festival Theater. Their collaboration helped introduce Japanese cinema and storytelling to Rwandan audiences, creating opportunities for cultural discovery and dialogue between the people of Rwanda and Japan.
Special thanks go to the Institut Français du Rwanda for hosting the festival, as well as its supporters, including Asian Kitchen, Japanda (a Japanese restaurant celebrating ten years of service) and Tombo Japanese Foods.
Through cinema, the festival demonstrated how films can transcend language barriers, introduce audiences to different cultural traditions and strengthen international understanding. For Rwandan audiences, it was an opportunity not only to enjoy Japanese films but also to discover a country and culture that many may wish to explore further.
