The Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi inaugurated the Japanese Film Festival 2026 at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, in collaboration with the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association, Sindh (PJCA) and the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. The annual event, organised by the Japanese Consulate and the Japan Foundation (JF), aims to promote Japanese culture through cinema. The opening ceremony featured a screening of the Japanese animated film Children of the Sea, about a lonely teenage girl who forms a significant bond with two mysterious, ocean-raised brothers and awakens a hidden telepathic relation to the deep sea. The festival features six films, including Children of the Sea, offering audiences a variety of genres and stories from Japan. Screenings will continue throughout September at selected venues across Karachi. Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General HATTORI Masaru expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic response from the audience and shared his thoughts on the cultural value of cinema. “I truly hope that this film festival brings you meaningful encounters, lasting memories, and maybe even a fresh perspective or two, ” he said. Ms Shahzeen Khan, guest of honour and an animator from The Glassworker, reflected on how her creative journey began through Japanese anime and cultural events supported by the Consulate-General of Japan, including her involvement with the pop-culture group Shonen Infinity. She expressed appreciation for the Consulate’s continued support of Pakistan’s growing pop-culture community through initiatives like Geek Haven, calling it a source of inspiration for the next generation of artists and storytellers.
Japan’s consulate in Karachi kicks off Japanese Film Festival 2026
RELATED ARTICLES
