The 1^st Hiroshima International Film Festival started from today. It is going to be held for 3 days from November 14th ~ 16th. This festival has been known as “Damah Film Festival in Hiroshima” from 2009 to 2013. However, we changed the name to “Hiroshima International Festival” to make it reborn. The concept is ”The festival gathers the films that have positive power from all over the world ” The opening ceremony held from 18 p.m. today at NTT CRED hall in Hiroshima city to celebrate the birth of reborn festival.

The opening ceremony was held with the opening announcement of the President of the Hiroshima International Film Festival, Ms. Kyoko Heya in the congenial atmosphere. Mr. Masafumi Nakayama, the general manager of environment department of the Hiroshima Prefecture, made a speech. After that, 5 juries of competition section, the director and casts of the films nominated in competition section was introduced. During the photo session, the group photograph of all participants was taken.

The President Ms. Heya talked about her strong affection for the festival, “I want the festival to be more friendly, more international and loved by everyone, to be bolstered the audience”. According to her words, the film most voted by the audience will receive the Audience Award.

The Hiroshima International Film Festival took the first step tonight. Why don’t you come to the festival and join us?