Dear Nippon Connection Fans, It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the end of our festival blog. But don’t worry! You can still follow our updates on social media or on our website. More importantly, our festival itself will, of course, continue as always. Stay tuned for an exciting new chapter with awesome guests and movies, deep discussions about Japan’s relation to the world, and a vast selection of workshops, concerts, performances, and culinary offerings! See you at the 24th Nippon Connection Film Festival from May 28th to June 2nd, 2024!, Your Nippon Connection Team _________ ..read more

[日本語版は下にあります] Bei der traditionellen japanischen Drucktechnik Mokuhanga verschmelzen die Kunstformen Holzschnitzkunst und Farbdruck. In einem zweitägigen Workshop zeigte die renommierte Künstlerin Yuriko MIYOSHI Festivalbesucher*innen, wie sie eine eigene Druckplatte schnitzen und damit Bilder auf japanischem Washi-Papier drucken können. Beim Holzdruck-Workshop für Kids wurden klassische Motiven wie eine Kirschblüte, der Berg Fuji, ein Hase oder Yokai-Monster mit dem Stempel auf Postkarten aus japanischem Papier gedruckt. Vielen Dank an Yuriko MIYOSHI für das Interview. Wie sind Sie zum Kunstd ..read more

Festivals come and festivals go, but movies last forever, unless they are not properly protected and can be deleted from existence by soulless ghouls in suits (fight for film preservation!). At Nippon Connection, at least, we still have a few movies and events left that aren’t sold out! Special Events: Panel Discussion: Between Extinction and New Rurality As part of this year’s broader topic, CITYSCAPES AND COUNTRYSIDES, a panel-discussion will explore the dynamics in modern Japan between urbanism and rurality. Performance: Magic Japan Tatto OTA, based in Frankfurt, will show off just a few of ..read more

We know, we know- it’s hot outside. But guess what? The main theater in Mousonturm has AIR CONDITIONING. And not everything is sold out, so now is your chance! Special Events: Nippon Open Air: Takuro OKADA A unique show that will use the cello to present classic Japanese folk music. Nippon Live: Yodeler Takeo ISCHI Come and experience the strange yodeling career of a German-Japanese man at the International Theater! Ticket purchase for the event is required. Film Talk: Toko MIURA This year’s recipient of the Nippon Rising Star Award will offer a free interview, where she will discuss her caree ..read more

It’s just about the weekend, and there are still loads of program offerings here at Nippon! Whether you took the bridge day or not, here are some things worth checking out, either during the day, or after work! Special Events: Performance: Okinawan Lion Dance The International Theater will host a performance of Shishimai, traditional Okinawan lion dancing. Ticket purchase is required! Nippon Open Air: Shodo Performance This free and open-air performance will showcase the art of large-scale Japanese calligraphy. Nippon Live: Music From Okinawa Solo artist Su BUNJAMIN joins the Shamisen Berlin a ..read more

Come one, come all, Nippon Connection 2023 is in full swing! Here are the highlights on Day 3. It’s a holiday, so no excuse! Come on down!  Special Events: Lecture: Japan – Between Big Cities and Natural Paradise This free lecture will offer tips and ideas for your next big trip to Japan. The lecture will be held in German. Lecture: Human Hair Sweater and Fake Pregnancy – Originality and Radicalness of Japanese Literature Don’t let the title drive you off; there are lots of fascinating and provocative trends in modern Japanese literature that are worth exploring. Prof. Dr. GEBHARDT will g ..read more

Every time I return to the Mousonturm, it feels like both forever and no time at all since I last left. So it goes at Nippon Connection, the premiere European festival for Japanese films. We are back for a 23rd round, and here are tonight’s opening festivities. Special Events: Presentation- Japanese „America,“ American Japan? Dr. Christian CHAPPELOW of Frankfurt’s Japanese Studies department will explore how identites and views of Americans living in occupied postwar Japan influenced and shaped Japanese culture in the decades that followed. Entry is free and translation into German sign langua ..read more

YOUR LOVELY SMILE director Kah Wai LIM In the 2023 edition of the Nippon Connection Film Festival’s NIPPON VISIONS section, we are presenting Kah Wai LIM‘s film YOUR LOVELY SMILE. Kah Wai LIM, born in Kuala Lumpur in 1973, graduated in electrical engineering and worked as a network engineer in Tokyo for six years. He then studied at Beijing Film Academy. In 2010, he made his directorial debut with AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. He has made films in various Asian and South-East European countries with multi-national casts and has presented his works at numerous film festivals. His film LOVE IN LATE AUT ..read more

UMUI – GUARDIANS OF TRADITIONS director Daniel LOPÉZ In the 2023 edition of the Nippon Connection Film Festival’s NIPPON DOCS section, we are presenting Daniel LOPÉZ’ film UMUI – GUARDIANS OF TRADITIONS. Daniel López was born in Switzerland in 1970 and moved to Okinawa in 2003. In 2010, he graduated from the University of Arts in Okinawa. He then worked as a photographer, publisher and TV presenter. In 2015, he made his first feature-length documentary KATABUI – IN THE HEART OF OKINAWA (NC ’16). UMUI – GUARDIANS OF TRADITIONS (2022 / NC ’23) was awarded the Grand Prix for Best Anthropolo ..read more

[日本語版は下にあります] Was mit dem Älterwerden oft als gewöhnlich empfunden wird, wirkt durch den Blick eines Kindes geradezu magisch. So ist es auch für Hana, die im Supermarkt eine Tomatenpflanze entdeckt, die bei ihr ein neues Zu Hause findet. Sie hegt und pflegt die Pflanze und wird so zu einer richtigen kleinen Gärtnerin. Nach einer kurzen Lesung aus dem Buch „Das Tomatenfest“ auf Deutsch und Japanisch erzählt die Autorin Satomi ICHIKAWA von der Freude, Pflanzen selbst zu pflegen und zu ernten . Die Veranstaltung wird in Deutsche Gebärdensprache übersetzt. Vielen Dank an Satomi ICHIKAWA für das In ..read more