Japanese Film Festival 2024
Showcasing the Best of Japanese Cinema
The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2024 proudly returns for its 11th edition from October 17-20 at the GSC Suria Sabah. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this year's festival features a diverse selection of over 12 films from various genres including drama, sci-fi, romance, thriller and animation.
The festival kicks off with the exciting premiere of GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023), which recently won the award for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards. Directed by YAMAZAKI Takashi, this film presents a fresh perspective on the iconic GODZILLA franchise, making it a must-see for Malaysian audiences.
Anime enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy, including the legendary AKIRA (1988) by OTOMO Katsuhiro and the recent SAND LAND (2023) by the late TORIYAMA Akira, creator of Dragon Ball.
The lineup also includes compelling new releases such as MATCHED (2024) and All the Long Nights (2024) by MIYAKE Sho, as well as A Samurai in Time (2024). Each film offers unique insights into contemporary Japanese life and culture.
Festival-goers can collect stamps throughout the event to redeem for exclusive goodies and prizes!
Tickets for JFF 2024 are reasonably priced at RM10 (except for A Samurai in Time which will be sold at regular ticket prices) and are available through GSC channels.
All films will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles. For a complete list of film synopses, showtimes and more information, please visit the official JFF website at https://jfklevents.com/japanese-film-festival-2024.
Join us in celebrating two decades of cinematic excellence!
Movie Classification Guidelines (Malaysia)
- P12 - Parental guidance required for audiences under the age of 12.
- 13 - For audiences aged 13 years old and above.
- 16 - For audiences aged 16 years old and above.
Thursday 17 October 2024
Our Secret Diary (交換ウソ日記)
6.30pm
In this adorable teen romance, popular actors TAKAHASHI Fumiya and SAKURADA Hiyori play two high school students who are brought together by an awkward misunderstanding and a secret exchange of diaries.
Masked Hearts (愛にイナズマ)
8.55pm
Ever since she was a child, 26-year-old Hanako Orimura has dreamed of becoming a film director. Now she is about to make her debut as a film director. She also has a fateful encounter with the handsome Masao Date. Hanako experiences the happiest moments of her life, but then she is betrayed by a mean and irresponsible producer. As a result, she loses almost everything and becomes despondent. Masao asks her if she to give up her dream.
Friday 18 October 2024
Mom, Is That You?! (こんにちは、母さん)
6.30pm
Rediscover love and family in the heart of nostalgic downtown Tokyo. YAMADA Yoji's heartwarming 90th film, Mom, Is That You?! follows Akio's unexpected journey home, where his mother's surprising romance and youthful spirit give him a new perspective on life.
A Samurai in Time (侍タイムスリッパー)
8.55pm
At the end of the Edo period in Kyoto, during a stormy night, a samurai prepares to fight a ronin when he is struck by a flash of light and awakens to find himself in another time. He has been transported through time to the present day, and the place where he was about to duel is now a movie set for jidaigeki TV shows and movies. Still in his samurai costume, he is mistaken for an extra and immediately thrust into the world of Jidaigeki productions. Due to his very "authentic" look and speech, he starts to work in many productions and finds himself playing the role of a "Kirareyaku", a swordsman whose job is to die spectacularly on film.
Saturday 19 October 2024
Sand Land
12.00pm
Sand Land is a mysterious world where demons and humans eke out a in a barren desert wasteland. Hoping to replenish their water supply Prince Beelzebub, a demon named Thief, and a human named Sheriff Rao join forces and embark on a journey in search of the Legendary Spring.
Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ-1.0)
2.20pm
The latest Godzilla movie, an ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER - Best Visual Effects, is a touching, breathtaking new commemoration of the 70th anniversary of what Guinness Records describes as "the longest continuously running film franchise" in the world.
Let's Go Karaoke! (カラオケ行こ！)
4.55pm
Follow the hilarious and heartwarming journey of a shy choirboy and a desperate yakuza as they forge an unlikely friendship through chaotic karaoke lessons. Clear your throat and get ready to sing with the stars AYANO Go and SAITO Jun!
All the Long Nights (夜明けのすべて)
7.15pm
Battling PMS and stigma, Misa starts a new life at Kurita Optics. Between work and sweets, she meets Takatoshi. Despite his quiet demeanour and his struggle with panic attacks, they form a deep bond.
Sunday 20 October 2024
One Second Ahead, One Second Behind (1 秒先の彼)
12.00pm
Hajime is a 30-year-old man who does things a second faster than others. Born in Kyoto, Haime works at a post office. A handsome man, he has trouble with his romantic relationships for some reason. He meets and dates a street musician, Sakurako. On the day that Hajime and Sakurako decide to go on a fireworks date, he wakes up to find that a day has passed without him remembering it. Apparently, the person who knows the secret of the missing day is a woman, Reika who came to the post office every day to buy stamps...
Akira
2.30pm
A historic masterpiece of Japanese animation that continues to amaze the world more than 30 years since its release in 1988. Experience neo-Tokyo through the eyes of Kaneda and his young, tough, delinquent gang!
Matched (マッチング)
5.05pm
Rinka becomes involved with a mysterious stranger she meets through a dating app. Little does she know, the person she swiped on is both a stalker and a suspected serial killer.
To Mom, with love (お母さんが一緒)
7.30pm
Yayoi, Manami and Kiyomi are 3 sisters with different characters, each hiding their own complexes from each other. One day they go with their mother on a trip to the hot springs. Sharing a common feeling that they do not want to live life like their mother, their complaints gradually escalate. What should to be a happy family outing takes an unexpected turn when Kiyomi's boyfriend, Takahiro, joins them.
Organiser of this event
How to get to this event?
GSC Suriah Sabah Mall
8th Floor Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.