On Friday, November 28, starting at 9:00 a.m. before the opening ceremony of the festival, a memorial flower-laying ceremony was held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The participants visited not only monuments commemorating Japanese victims, but also memorials dedicated to victims from other countries.
Among those who laid flowers were Director Sunao Katabuchi (In This Corner of the World), along with directors and producers participating in the festival, all offering prayers for world peace.
Director Hiroto Hara reflected on welcoming the film festival to Hiroshima in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, saying:
“Being here gives me a sense of renewed clarity, and I find myself wanting to one day shoot a film on this land of Hiroshima. I also hope that the entertainment films I am involved in can naturally connect with the flow toward peace. While the world cannot yet be called truly peaceful, I want to continue sharing messages that can be sent out from Hiroshima, a city that symbolizes peace.”
The Hiroshima International Film Festival will take place over the next three days starting today, welcoming the largest number of guests in its history.
Screenings and events will be held at NTT CRED Hall, EDION Kamiyacho Hall, and Yokogawa Cinema (on the 28th only).
Now in its 17th year, the festival presents a wide variety of programs, including Special Invitation Films from Japan and abroad, talk shows, teach-in workshops, Hiroshima EYE—films viewed through the perspective of Hiroshima—and the International Short Film Competition. Special talk sessions featuring actor Takayuki Yamada and Director Michihito Fujii are also scheduled. We warmly invite everyone to join us.
