Japan Film Festival continues through Sunday

Festivals in San Francisco’s Japantown often celebrate traditions with centuries of history.

But a newer event in the Bay Area this week aims to celebrate contributions of modern Japanese culture.

The Japan Film Festival of San Francisco is back for it’s third year, offering up an eclectic selection for AAJA convention-goers with a little free time. It continues through Sunday as part of the larger J-pop Summit showcasing Japanese music, pop culture, fashion, cinema, food, spirits, art and technology.

The film festival itself will screen 24 cinematic works in styles ranging from anime, live-action, documentary and short film that span genres such as science fiction, historical drama, crime drama, and much more.

Manami Libioshi, executive director of the festival, helped start after she noticed a void in availability of Japanese film in the Bay Area. Some festivals showcased Japanese film but never focused on them. Avid fans of Japanese cinema had no source that catered to them, she said.

“Out of over 600 films released in Japan every year, we can introduce only 24 films at our festival this year,” Libioshi said. “But still I am trying to choose the films that represent the status of Japan right now with universal theme that anyone can relate to.”

A clear theme in a handful of themes in this year’s films is stagnation, Libioshi said.

In a case of art imitating life, it stems from a stasis that followed the 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that killed thousands that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Japan still suffers from the debilitating effects of the earthquake and is still rebuilding, which has affected its society negatively.

“I can easily see a sense of stagnation in many Japanese films these days that must [be] a reflection of our society,” Libioshi said.

But some films are more uplifting, Libioshi said.

“I also notice that more films are made on the theme of women regaining their voice, strength and independence,” she said. A few of the films that fit that bill include “Kakekomi,” “Pale Moon,” “100 Yen Love,” and “0.5 mm.”

IF YOU GO

The Japan Film Festival of San Francisco continues through Sunday at The New People Cinema, 1746 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.

Friday

“Our Family” 7 p.m.

Kabukicho Love Hotel 9:20pm

Saturday

“100 Yen Love” noon

TOKYO SHORT SHORTS 2015: A New Generation of 5 short films 2:30 p.m.

“The Birth of Saké” 4:30 p.m.

“The Tale of The Princess Kaguya” 7 p.m.

Sunday

“The Birth of Saké” 4:30 p.m.

“INITIATION LOVE” 2:30 p.m.

“0.5mm” 5 p.m.