KARACHI: The Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi inaugurated the Japanese Film Festival 2026 at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi on Friday, September 4, in collaboration with the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association, Sindh (PJCA) and the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.
The annual festival is organized by the Japanese Consulate and the Japan Foundation (JF) to promote Japanese culture and strengthen cultural ties through cinema.
The opening ceremony featured a screening of the Japanese animated film Children of the Sea, which follows a lonely teenage girl who develops a significant bond with two mysterious brothers raised in the ocean and discovers a hidden connection to the deep sea.
This year’s festival features six Japanese films spanning different genres and stories. Screenings will continue throughout September at selected venues across Karachi, giving audiences an opportunity to explore Japanese cinema and culture.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Consul General HATTORI Masaru thanked the audience for its enthusiastic response and highlighted the cultural value of cinema.
“I truly hope that this film festival brings you meaningful encounters, lasting memories, and maybe even a fresh perspective or two,” he said.
Guest of honor Shahzeen Khan, an animator from The Glassworker, also shared her experience, recalling how Japanese anime and cultural events supported by the Consulate-General of Japan helped shape the beginning of her creative journey.
She also spoke about her involvement with the pop-culture group Shonen Infinity and appreciated the Consulate’s continued support for Pakistan’s growing pop-culture community through initiatives such as Geek Haven.
Khan said such initiatives serve as an important source of inspiration for the next generation of Pakistani artists and storytellers.
The festival is part of ongoing cultural exchange efforts between Japan and Pakistan, using cinema and creative arts to introduce Japanese culture to audiences in Karachi.