COVID-19
Beloved festival-goers, it has become apparent that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel JFF 2020 due to the COVID 19 outbreak – the most important thing is for everyone to stay safe! We will miss seeing all of your faces and sharing these wonderful films with you. But we are looking forward to an even better festival in 2021! Also, please be aware that our festival location Row House Cinema will be closed for the foreseeable future.
Your tickets and passes will be honored for JFF 2021 and they can also be exchanged for future screenings at Row House Cinema (courtesy of the movie theater). We are very sensitive to individual circumstances and needs, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email info@jffpgh.org or call 412-904-3225 (Row House Cinema).
We appreciate your support and one of the best ways to support us is by supporting Row House Cinema. How can you help? Go to www.rowhousecinema.com and……
- Join the Row House Cinema Film Club
- Buy a Row House Cinema gift card
Sincerely,
The Japanese Film Festival Team

TICKETS
FILMS
THE ISLAND OF CATS
OPENING NIGHT FILM Pittsburgh Premiere
Adapted from the hit manga, “Nekomaki”, is the heart-warming, feel-good film, THE ISLAND OF CATS. The movie follows the life of a country tabby cat, Tama, and his human servant, Daikichi, living on an island of cats. Daikichi is a seventy-year-old widower enjoying a quiet, routine life until an island newcomer opens a modern cafe encouraging Daikichi and Tama to indulge in new culinary adventures. A perfect film for food and cat lovers!
RISE OF THE MACHINE GIRLS & Japan's Craziest TV Game Shows
CLOSING NIGHT FILM Pittsburgh Premiere
Enjoy a pre-show short compilation of clips from Japan’s whackiest TV game shows! Then get ready for RISE OF THE MACHINE GIRLS — In the reboot of the cult feature, The Machine Girl, comes a high-energy action film about sisters Ami and Yoshie living in a future Japan. The two make a living by performing in fight shows, but their skills are put to the test when captured by an organ-trafficking ring.
CHILDREN OF THE SEA
Pittsburgh Sneak Preview
2020
When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works, and now she has the ability to hear calls from the ocean. Along with two friends, she is drawn into the mystery of the sudden disappearance of the world’s sea creatures.
MATANGO: ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE
Cult Classic
1963
A group of castaways who survive a shipwreck are stranded on a mysterious island. The only source of food available appears to be an exotic variety of mushroom that quickly becomes addictive. Inevitably, the fungus transforms those who have eaten it into giant, mushroom-monsters!
RIDE YOUR WAVE
Anime
2020
In this beautifully colored animated film, 19-year-old Hinako is a passionate surfer who meets firefighter, Minato when he rescues her from an apartment fire. They quickly bond and Hinako teaches Minato how to surf. However, tragedy hits when Minato goes surfing during a terrible storm.
VIOLET EVERGARDEN: ETERNITY AND AUTO MEMORY DOLL
Pittsburgh Premiere
Anime
2020
Violet Evergarden’s story brings fans new and old into her detailed, Victorian-inspired world as our titular protagonist continues her quest to understand the meaning of love in the face of loss while helping others do the same.
Festival Events

TEKKO Day
Regular ticket prices apply
Our friends Tekko will be at the festival along with TEKKOBOT for screenings of the awesome anime Human Lost and Weathering With You. Come say hi and have the chance to win passes to Tekko 2020!!!!

Kenji Mizoguchi Tribute Speakers
Regular ticket prices apply
Join us for special introductions of these 3 Kenji Mizoguchi films – courtesy of University of Pittsburgh. Learn about one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in cinematic history!

CHILDREN OF THE SEA - Sneak Preview
Regular ticket prices apply
Join us for the Pittsburgh Premiere of CHILDREN OF THE SEA while supporting manatees! This screening is a fundraiser for Save the Manatee Club. We’ll also tell you all about our manatees including our adoptee Floyd!

Food Truck Night
Regular ticket prices apply
Have dinner and movie! HibachiLou412 Food Truck will be outside the theater – so come early, grab some grub, and watch a movie! *Yes, you can take your food into the theater!

Japanese Whisky Night w. A GIRL MISSING
Saturday, March 28th @ 7pm
Must be 21+ to Attend
Enjoy a hand crafted Japanese whisky highball cocktail and learn about Japan’s meticulous whisky-making process — and that’s not a typo it’s spelled “whisky” not “whiskey” 🙂 Courtesy of Beam Suntory . Cocktails will be serve in the theater with the film to follow.

Matcha Tea Tasting w. VIOLET EVERGARDEN
Monday, March 30th @ 7pm
Dobra Tea will be serving samples of properly made Matcha tea before the screening of the Pittsburgh Premiere of VIOLET EVERGARDEN: ETERNITY & AUTO MEMORY DOLL