Hanabi Film Festival | Portland Japanese Cinema Events

Portland, OR – August 7, 2024 – The Clinton Street Theater will host its third annual Hanabi Film Festival from August 18th through August 31st, showcasing a diverse selection of Japanese cinema, including restored classics, cult favorites, and new releases making their Portland and U.S. debuts.The festival aims to celebrate the cultural ties between Portland and japan, and introduce audiences to a broad spectrum of japanese filmmaking.

The Hanabi Film Festival, named after the Japanese word for “fireworks,” draws inspiration from the conventional Japanese summer festivals. These festivals are known for their vibrant atmosphere, featuring attendees in yukata (lightweight cotton kimonos), street food like yakitori, takoyaki, and shaved ice, and live musical performances.The festival seeks to recreate this celebratory spirit within the Portland community.

Portland’s connection with Japan dates back to 1959, when it became sister cities with Sapporo, Hokkaido – one of the earliest such partnerships in the united States. This relationship has fostered critically important economic exchange, with Japan consistently ranking as one of Oregon’s top import and export partners, facilitating billions of dollars in trade annually. The presence of a PDX Taproom in Shibuya, tokyo, further exemplifies this enduring bond. The festival’s organizers, including lead programmer Anya Sato, hope to expand awareness of Japanese film beyond anime and well-known directors like Akira Kurosawa.

This year’s festival will feature films spanning several decades, from 1960s arthouse cinema to 1980s cult classics, alongside contemporary award-winning animated features and critically acclaimed autonomous productions. Specific films scheduled for screening include a 4K restoration of Shohei Imamura’s 1964 film The Insect Woman, and the U.S.premiere of Makoto Shinkai‘s latest animated feature, Suzume. The festival will also include a retrospective of works by director Seijun Suzuki.

Please be advised that some films presented at the Hanabi Film Festival may contain mature themes or content that may not be suitable for all viewers. Content warnings will be provided before each screening.