The New York Japan CineFest (NYJCF) will screen 16 independent films in two days, kicking off with films by US based filmmakers on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 6:30pm at Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021 (70th Street on Park Avenue), co-hosted by Mar Creation, Inc. and Asia Society followed by a reception.

The two day film festival focuses on mostly short films with Japanese theme, directors, and/or actors, introducing the genre of pop culture, tradition, and discovering new talent through filmmaking. This year NYJCF welcomes the selected short films from notable Sapporo International Short Film Festival as well as encouraging Japanese filmmakers living in the U.S.A. to support their crafts and opportunities. Sixteen films by 16 filmmakers from New York, Los Angeles, and Sapporo, Japan will be screened including award winning feature film, “MIYOKO” directed by Yoshifumi Tsubota.

Ticket prices are $7 Asia Society members; $9 seniors and students w/ID; $11 nonmembers.
The complete festival schedule is:

Friday, June 7 at 6:30pm
Program 1

Hypnocus-Pocused

Dir. Victor Tadashi Suárez. 2011. 11min38sec.

Two brothers, one car, and a strange Japanese friend are perfect ingredients for a thriller about a hypnotism that goes awry.

Columbia University National Undergraduate Film Festival–Best Picture, Best Acting, Audience Choice

Naperville International Film Festival–Best Student Film

Usagi-san

Dir. Patrick Dickinson. 2013. 23min54sec.

The peaceful life of an elderly Japanese couple in Los Angeles is interrupted by Alzheimer’s disease. Can they hold on to the cherished past and find solace and hope again?

Ivy Film Festival–Best Graduate Film, Grand Jury Award
2013 Student Emmy Awards–Outstanding Drama-Silver Award

SVA is… 

Dir. Who-Fu. 2012. 1min27sec.

As a promotional video for the School of Visual Arts, this interesting animation uses different styles to explore the theme of “idea.”

Once More

Dir. Hiroo Takaoka. 2010. 24min.

Using the technology of human cloning, a man pushes the ethical boundary to be reunited with his deceased wife.

The Bridge

Dir. Sheldon Schwartz. 2008. 10min.
A young Japanese American soldier joins a small squad on a dangerous mission in Italy during WWII. The film explores issues of allegiance and identity.

Sayonara

Dir. Eric Bates. 2011. 3min40sec.

After losing his home due to a natural disaster, a little boy befriends a sea turtle on a small island. But it’s time to say goodbye.

Mojave’ 43

Dir. Thomas Takemoto-Chock. 2013. 20min.

A Japanese American schoolteacher prepares a treat for his students as a reward for good behavior but they will soon have to confront an ugly truth.

The Hirosaki Players

Dir. Jeff Sousa. 2010. 19min21sec.


The opening night of a Japanese play in New York becomes a tug of war between an up-and-coming Japanese playwright/director and his famous and aging father who is the uncooperative lead actor.
Beijing International Movie Festival–Golden Duck Award for Best Short Narrative
Sonoma International Film Festival-Best Dramatic Short Film

Saturday, June 8 at 4:00pm
Program 2

LI.LI.TA.AL.

Dir. Akihito Izuhara. 2011. 7min40sec. Animation.

This beautiful and poetic animation presents the magical formation of Japanese verses.

Sapporo Film Festival–Best Original Score

Matou 

Dir. Isamu Hirabayashi. 2011. 3min15sec. Experimental.

Is life about a series of role-playing and the change of clothes?

Sapporo Film Festival–Best Mini Short. Best Contemporary, Experimental Short

663114

Dir. Isamu Hirabayashi. 2011. 7min25sec. Animation.

Listen to a 66-year-old cicada tell its life story. Arduously crawling upwards, it proves its determination to live.

Script

Dir. Albert Ventura. 2010. 29min. Drama.

Driven by the desire to win a thousand dollars, four people participate in a ten-minute psychological experiment.

Sapporo Film Festival-Best Screenplay

Soldier School 

Dir. Saya Ito. 2012. 14min30sec. Animation.

Upon discovering the hidden agenda of his school, a sensitive teenager becomes plagued by his fears of war and dashes his dream of attending college.

Transferring

Dir. Junichi Kanai. 2012. 20min. Drama.

What will happen when Youko, a mischievous and isolated schoolgirl, befriends the new transfer student?

Sapporo Film Festival–Best Director, Best National Short

Bicycle

Dir. Dean Yamada. 2009. 21min17sec. Drama.

Sometimes, God works in mysterious ways. Finding no meaning in his dull and lackluster life, a man is out of job and bewildered by a note “sent by God.”

Sapporo Film Festival–Best National Short
Premiered at the 66th Venice Film Festival

Saturday, June 8 at 6:45pm
Program 3

Miyoko (Miyoko Asagaya Kibun)

Dir. Yoshifumi Tsubota. 2009. 86min. 35mm.

This clever biopic/adaptation is a portrait of the pioneering manga artist Abe Shinichi, who turned his relationship with muse/girlfriend Miyoko into a graphic novel, the cult classic Miyoko Asagaya Kibun. Interweaving parts of the original comic book, with its candid and explicit depictions of the couple’s private and sex life, into the narrative, this film delicately tells the ups and downs of Abe’s career and marriage as he suffers from writer’s block and mental state degradation.

Q&A with Director Yoshifumi Tsubota.

Fantasporto International Film Festival–Best Screenplay, Jury’s Special Award


Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival–Blue Chameleon Award, Movie College Award