Embassy of Japan in Rwanda Kicks Off “Japanese Film Festival” with the Premiere
2025/11/12
On November 12, 2025, the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda hosted a Premiere screening of the “Japanese Film Festival ~ 15 years of the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda ~,” in collaboration with the Centre Culturel Francophone du Rwanda, and His Excellency Ambassador Fukushima attended the event. This Premiere screening aims to build momentum for the Japanese Film Festival scheduled at the same center from December 16 to 19, 2025. More than 50 attendees, including Rwandan Government officials, participated and watched “AKIRA (1988),” a historical milestone in Japanese animation film.
In her welcoming remarks, Aurélie Royet-Gounin, French Ambassador to Rwanda, stated: "As the Centre Culturel Francophone du Rwanda, we are honored to co-host the Japanese Film Festival. Our center has collaborated with the Japanese Embassy in Rwanda since 2023 on the annual Ghibli Film Festival. This year, a total of eight films are scheduled for screening, and we sincerely hope that as many people as possible will watch them. “
Ambassador Fukushima then stated,” We hope that the Japanese Film festival will serve as an opportunity for you to experience the values of Japan's world-renowned anime culture and film works and discover Japanese contemporary society. Japanese anime and films are now highly appreciated worldwide and will likely continue to gain popularity in Africa, including Rwanda. I would also like to express my gratitude once again to the Centre Culturel Francophone du Rwanda for its collaboration and for their efforts in making this event possible.“
After the screenings, participants enjoyed Japanese food and drinks, including meals provided by ”Tombo Japanese Foods," a local Japanese grocery store selling items such as tofu and katsu sandwiches. Participants savored the Japanese cuisine and beverages while exchanging views on the screenings.
The Embassy of Japan in Rwanda will organize the “Japanese Film Festival ~ 15 years of the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda ~” from December 16th to December 19th, in collaboration with Centre Culturel Francophone du Rwanda. This event commemorates the 15 years of the embassy. The festival will screen a total of 8 films (4 animation films and 4 live-action films, two films per day), including leading anime films such as “AKIRA” and “Howl's Moving Castle,” as well as live-action films like “Dreaming of the Meridian Arc” and “The Lines That Define Me.” Admission is free, and no advance registration is required. For further information regarding the screening schedule and details on each film, please check the link below.