The Japanese Film Festival 2026 SJ60 edition opens on Thursday 1 October at Shaw Lido, with screenings there to 11 October and an extended run at Filmhouse and the Asian Film Archive’s Oldham Theatre to 18 October.
This SJ60 edition marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan. Singapore director Eric Khoo is the festival’s first Festival Ambassador in its 43 years, with a Spotlight strand that includes Tatsumi, Ramen Teh and Spirit World.
Opening and closing films
The opening film is Ito Tomohiko’s The Keeper of the Camphor Tree. The 1 October 7pm Shaw Lido screening is invitation-only, and the public screening is on Friday 2 October at 6.30pm with a Q&A. The festival closes on 11 October with Kurosawa Akira’s Throne of Blood, and a second Shaw Lido screening of it has been added that evening. A Mystery Screening at Shaw Lido on 11 October at 1pm is shown in a rare 35mm presentation, with the title kept secret.
Other highlights
Other titles at Shaw and Filmhouse include Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence in 4K, Chimney Town: Frozen in Time, HEAVENS: The Boy and His Robot (Anime All-Stars Japanese Voice Edition, followed by a Q&A with director HO Rich), and a Madhouse strand of Yoshiaki Kawajiri titles at Filmhouse. Love Letter 4K has sold out at Shaw, and more screenings will be added at Filmhouse.
Tickets and where to book
Shaw Lido tickets are S$16 general admission, or S$14.50 for Friends of Japan Creative Centre, Singapore Film Society, Asian Film Archive and Filmhouse members and NUS students, capped at four discounted tickets per session, via shaw.sg. Asian Film Archive Oldham tickets are S$10 general or S$8.50 promo. Filmhouse tickets are S$14 on weekdays (student or senior S$12) and S$18 on weekends (student or senior S$16). There are 39 public screenings across Shaw Lido, Filmhouse and the Asian Film Archive over 18 days.
