About

JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA 2023 IS A PROJECT FOCUSED ON MINI-THEATER WITH A FREE ONLINE STREAMING OF FILM, INTRODUCTORY VIDEOS OF MINI-THEATER AND SO ON.

From August till October 2023, the Japan Foundation (JF) will hold a special feature "JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA 2023" which will shine a spotlight on the "mini-theaters" that support the diversity of Japanese film culture and adding to the vibrancy of local communities.

Following the highly successful launch of "JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA" in 2022, which showcased 12 Japanese films and 6 mini-theaters for overseas viewers and received a great response. We are happy to announce we will distribute 12 Japanese movies recommended by mini-theaters around Japan and filmmakers around the world, additionally we will provide complementary access to videos that introduce 10 mini-theaters. To enhance your experience, we have also prepared a variety of content on the website that will allow you to further experience the charm of the mini theater.

Mini theaters play a pivotal role in supporting Japanese film culture. In 2022, there were over 590 movie theaters, with an impressive 136 of them being mini theaters, accounting for about 20% of all movie theaters. In addition, of the 538 movies released in theaters in the same year, a staggering 60% of those were-small scale productions released in 49 or fewer theaters, majority of these films found themselves being exclusively shown in mini-theaters*.

Mini theaters play a crucial role in supporting Japanese film culture. In addition to being a venue for movie screenings, they also contribute to the production of movie sets in their respective local areas. Moreover, many mini have as cafes as well as other additional amenities, creating a hub that attracts a diverse range of people. Serving as a platform that foster connections and collaborations within the community, by embracing multifaceted roles, mini theaters are a reflection of the local communities they are a part of.

We hope that through this project, you will be able to experience the many charming aspects of the mini theater, which is an important stage for Japanese film.

※ Referring to "Movie Screening Activity Yearbook 2022" (JAPAN COMMUNITY CINEMA CENTER)

For Media

Press Release (English) Press Release (English)

Other online broadcast events

"Online Japanese Film Festival (JFF ONLINE: JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE)" is an online film festival that distributes a wide range of Japanese films, from the latest works to documentaries, animations, and classics. Last time in 2022, we streamed 20 Japanese movies for free, with subtitles in more than 10 languages, targeting 25 countries around the world. We are currently preparing for the next event. Don’t miss it!
On-site Japanese film festivals around the world

The "Japanese Film Festival (JFF: JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL)" is a film festival organized by JF, showcasing primarily new Japanese films at various locations. It was initiated in 2016 with the objective of reaching 10 ASEAN countries and Australia, under the slogan "Japanese movies anytime, anywhere." Since its inception, the festival has expanded its reach to include China, Russia, India, and Brazil, actively promoting the allure of Japanese cinema worldwide.For more details, please contact the JF overseas office (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/world/index.html) in each hosting country.
Websites that provide information on Japanese movies

JF operates a website that serves as a platform to introduce Japanese films to a global audience. The website offers a wide range of content, including special distribution projects such as "JFF + INDEPENDENT CINEMA" and "Online Japanese Film Festival (JFF ONLINE: JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE)." Additionally, visitors can explore articles about Japanese movies and gain insights into JF's involvement in the film industry. The website also provides contact information for those seeking further assistance or inquiries..
Organizer/operator

The Japan Foundation (独立行政法人国際交流基金) is a specialized organization in Japan that plays a comprehensive role in international cultural exchange. Originally established in 1972 as a special corporation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it transitioned into an independent administrative agency on October 1, 2003. The primary objective of the Japan Foundation is to foster connections between Japan and the global community by promoting cultural understanding, language learning, and dialogue. Through these endeavors, the foundation aims to cultivate empathy, trust, and goodwill among people worldwide.
In addition to its headquarters located in Tokyo, the Japan Foundation maintains 26 offices across 25 countries, extending its reach and impact internationally. Within Japan, it also oversees two affiliated institutions, namely the Japanese-Language Center and the Kansai International Center, along with a branch office in Kyoto.

How to Watch

An explanation for how to watch the 12 films currently streaming.

※ Japan is not eligible for distribution. Also, please note that while most films are available for streaming worldwide, there may be certain films that are not accessible in specific countries/regions. For detailed information on eligibility, please refer to the individual film pages.

1.Go to the steaming page.

To access the streaming page for each film, click on the "WATCH FOR FREE" button. This will redirect you to the specific distribution page for that film.

※ Please note that the "WATCH FOR FREE" button will only be visible during the distribution period.

2.Creating your account.

You can create an account on the distribution page you have been redirected to, creating a new account won’t take long.

※ Please note that even if you had an account for our previous online events, you still need to register a new account for this program.

① Click on the "Watch for Free" button.
② The account confirmation screen will appear. Enter your email address.
③ You will be redirected to the account registration page. Fill in your username, email address, and password. Additionally, check the checkbox confirming that you are 18 years old or have obtained parental consent. If you wish, you can also subscribe to the newsletter to receive information about Japanese films. Click the Submit button to proceed.
④ The "Success!" screen will appear, indicating that your account has been created successfully. You can now start watching the films.

3.Start watching the films.

① The "Watch for Free" button will change to "Play Now". Click the button to start watching.
② To select subtitles, click on the [︙]>[Subtitles/CC] button located at the bottom of the viewing screen and choose your preferred subtitle option.

Other information about watching.

1.How to check if you can watch on your device/browser.

To check if you can watch the films on your specific device/browser, please try playing the test video and see if it plays smoothly on your device/browser (login required). If you encounter any other issues or have further questions, please consult our FAQ page for more troubleshooting information.

2.About the film availability period.

Distribution will start at 17:00 (Japan time) on August 1, 2023, and conclude at 16:59 (Japan time) on October 31, 2023. It is important to note that even if you are currently watching a film, you will lose access to it once the distribution period ends. Please keep this in mind and make sure to finish watching the films before the specified end date and time.

3.Please send us your feedback and comments.

Once you have finished watching the films, we kindly request your cooperation in participating in the survey by accessing the questionnaire form through the film's page on our website. Alternatively, you can also access the survey form through the provided link.
Furthermore, we have provided a comment section on the film's page on our website. We welcome your thoughts and messages to the individuals involved. Please note that it may take several days for your comment to be displayed on the website

FAQ

Enjoy JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA!
SYSTEM ISSUES

Enjoy JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA!

Do I have to register?: Yes, you are required to create an account and sign in to watch films.Note that even if you had an account for our previous online Japanese Film Festivals, your old account is deleted. Please register again for this program.

How do I purchase tickets?: No tickets are required. All the films are streamed online FOR FREE to anyone in most countries. Simply click “Watch for Free” button and enter your e-mail address and password. Then, Success! screen will appear and you can start watching. If you don’t have an account, you will be redirected to the Create New Account page.

How can I check the available countries/regions of each film?: Visit the film lineup page, click on the photo of each film, you can find more detailed information about the film. Under the "Watch for Free" button, you can check available countries/regions of the film.

Can I watch with subtitles?: We have subtitles available in English and Spanish for all films, and some films have Japanese, Chinese and Korean subtitles as well. The default setting for subtitles is English. If you would like subtitles in Spanish or any other available language, please select your subtitles in the 【Select your subtitles】 field at each film's streaming page.

Who is the Organizer?: INDEPENDENT CINEMA is organized by the Japan Foundation. For more details on the JFF Project, visit the JFF+ website.

Can I have a public viewing of JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA on my computer? Or can I show the film of JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA in the classroom?: The answer is NO. Films streamed on JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA shall not be used for any purpose other than for viewing them on a private basis. In order to have a public viewing or showing films in the classroom, you must get a permission from the copyright owner. All content on the Website (audio, images, videos, etc.) is subject to copyright protection.

SYSTEM ISSUES

What are the system requirements?: You can watch on PCs running Windows 7+, and Intel-based Macs running OSX 10.12+. You can also watch on Android tablets and phones using Chrome and on iPhones and iPads using Safari. Linux devices are not supported and will not work. You will need a broadband or fibre internet connection - dial up will not work. You’ll find a complete list of requirements below.

What are the requirements for Windows computers?: Windows 7, Windows 8.1 , Windows 10, and Windows 11.Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer or Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported.Internet Explorer on Windows 7 is no longer supported.You will need a broadband or fibre internet connection - dial up will not work.

What are the requirements for Mac computers?: Mac OSX 10.12 or later.Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported.You will need a broadband or fibre internet connection - dial up will not work.

Can I watch on my Linux device? I got "LICENSE PLATFORM UNVERIFIED" error.: No, unfortunately due to the level of protection on the content, our player doesn’t support playback on Linux platforms.

Can I watch content on my iPhone/iPad?: Yes, you can watch content using Safari and this requires iOS 11.2 or later. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported.* iOS 15.0 has an issue with secure video playback. Please upgrade to iOS 15.1 to watch content.

Can I watch content on my Android Device?: Yes, you can watch content using Chrome and this requires Android 6.0 or later. We recommend using the latest version of your browser as earlier versions may not be supported.

I can’t stream any of the content, what’s going on? I got an error that says "license_request_failure".: Check your minimum system requirements above. We recommend that you update to the latest version of your browser. Trying on other browsers may solve your problem faster.We use adaptive bitrate streaming which means the streaming quality will automatically adjust based on your internet speed. For High Definition (HD) streaming we recommend VDSL, cable or fibre connections as we cannot guarantee consistent HD streaming on ADSL.

What happens if I forget my password?: Go to Reset your Password page, enter the email address you used when you created an account and a link to reset your password will be sent to you.

Why do I get "Too many devices" error.: You have three devices auto-registered on your account and that caused this "Too many devices" error. Please go to your account and choose "My Device". Delete the device that you are not using from the "My Device" list. (When you use private mode or different browser, it also causes auto-registering your same device for several times. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

Why does this film say "Currently not available in your country" ?: Unfortunately, that film is not available in your country. Sorry to disappoint you.

Why does video playback stall or not play smoothly?: If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent you may experience problems during playback. Try lowering the playback bitrate.

Can I Chromecast content?: You can Chromecast from a Chrome web browser on PC and Mac computers as well as Android devices.

How do I watch content using Chromecast from Chrome?: Make sure you have connected your Chromecast to your TV and Wi-Fi network then follow the steps below. Your device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. For information or assistance connecting Chromecast to your TV and/or Wi-FI network, see [support.google.com/chromecast](https://support.google.com/chromecast).

How do I watch content using Chromecast from Chrome?: Make sure you have connected your Chromecast to your TV and Wi-Fi network then follow the steps below. Your device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. For information or assistance connecting Chromecast to your TV and/or Wi-FI network, see [support.google.com/chromecast](https://support.google.com/chromecast).

Make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome by navigating to Settings > About Google Chrome and update your Chrome browser to the latest version, if necessary. If you’rehaving trouble, [here’s how to updateChrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414).
In Chrome browser go to the film or TV page and start playing the content.
Select the Cast icon in the bottom right hand corner.
Select your Chromecast device.
The film or TV episode will now start playing on your Chromecast device.

If you are unable to resolve your issue by referring to the "How to Watch" or FAQ pages, or if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at jffplus@jffplus.jp.
Please note that it may take us 3-5 business days to respond to your inquiry.

oints to note when making inquiries

1. When sending an email, please include the following information as it may help us resolve the issue more quickly:
- Screenshots of the error.
- The email account (if different from the one you used to contact us).
- Titles of the films you experienced trouble watching.
- The device you are using (e.g., iPhone, Android, Galaxy) and its operating system (OS) version.
- The browser you are using (e.g., Safari, Chrome, Firefox) and its version.
2. Before contacting us, please try the following steps as they may potentially resolve the issue:
- Try accessing the content on other devices, browsers, or operating systems.
  ※Please note that Linux is not supported.
- Update your operating system and browser to the latest version.
- Refresh or reload your browser.