As it was last year, first half of the evening screening or “Night Screen” will play select films from the winners of the Women’s Journalists’ Film Award, which was started by film critic Satori Ito and film writer Shiho Atsumi in 2022.
Dubbed “Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Hibiya,” the second half will feature some of the Japanese movies (with English subtitles) shown at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival held in Canada in June. Before each film screening, the director will make an appearance for a 30-minute talk session, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and their thoughts on the film. The exclusive talks, you can only hear at this event are not to be missed (available both live and archived). *Movie showtimes and schedule for director talk sessions are to be announced at the end of September.
Period
Screening in Collaboration with Women’s Journalists’ Film Award October 10 (Fri) through October 13 (Mon, holiday), 2025
Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Hibiya October 18 (Sat) through October 25 (Sat), 2025
*Cancelled in the event of inclement weather; director talk sessions may be cancelled for rain
*Showtimes depend on the movie. Please check the event schedule.
*Showtimes may change.
Venues
Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, Hibiya Step Square
Admission
Free (open admission)
Seating
Front Viewing Area (with reclining chairs)
* If applications exceed seating capacity, we conduct a lottery for the seats.
*Advanced reservations are accepted via LivePocket (membership registration required).
Reservation period:
September 22 (Mon.), 2025, 12 midnight, through September 29 (Mon.), 11:59 p.m.
Announcement of lottery results:
September 30 (Tues.), 2025, 12 midnight, through October 3 (Fri.), 11:59 p.m.
Organized by：Tokyo Midtown Hibiya / Hibiya Area Management Association
Sponsored by：CCCJ (The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan)
Cooperated by：Women’s Journalists’ Film Award Supported by Eiga Camp! / Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) / MomoFilms
This year’s Night Screen, which spans 11 days, will bring you a total of 11 movies that everyone is talking about.
The first half, from October 11 (Fri.) through 13 (Sun.), will play selected films from the winners of the Women’s Journalists’ Film Award, which was started by personality Satori Ito and film writer Shiho Atsumi in 2022.
Dubbed “Toronto Japanese Film Festival in Hibiya,” the second half, from October 18 (Sat.) through 26 (Sun.), will feature some of the Japanese movies (with English subtitles) which became hot topics when they were shown at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival held in Canada in June.
Screening in Collaboration with Women’s Journalists’ Film Award
Night Screen Premium Talk Show held on Friday 10th
On Friday, October 10, the opening night, actor Wakana Matsumoto will take to the stage as an ambassador for the Women’s Journalists’ Film Award! After the talk show, there will be a screening of Mamma Mia!, a movie selected by Matsumoto. Don’t miss this special night, where you can enjoy both a talk show and a movie!
Screening in Collaboration with Women’s Journalists’ Film Award
On the first Saturday and Sunday of the event, film personality/film critic Satori Ito, who launched the Women’s Journalists’ Film Award, has been invited together with directors Yoko Yamanaka and Natsuki Seta for a screening of the winning films. On Monday 13th (a national holiday), there will be a Women Film Journalists’ Talk Show with Satori Ito, writer and columnist Shiho Atsumi, and film sommelier Sayumi Higashi!
What is the Toronto Japanese Film Festival?
The Toronto Japanese Film Festival (TJFF) is a film festival organized by the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) in Toronto, Canada. The festival marks its 14th year this year. The TJFF showcases trending Japanese films that have been highly acclaimed by audiences and film critics in Japan, as well as films that have won awards at overseas film festivals or the Japan Academy Awards, with the aim of introducing knowledge about Japanese culture to the general public. Most of the films are premiering in North America, Canada, or Toronto, and directors and performers from Japan also take the stage to promote them. At the 2025 film festival, in June, 24 films were screened. https://jccc.on.ca/ja/films/tjff
MC’s introduction for the directors’ talk sessions
Satori Ito (film personality/film critic)
Ito watches 500 movies a year, both foreign and Japanese films. She plans and produces a talk show with actors called “New: Satori Ito and Movie Friends” on YouTube. She gives movie commentaries on TBS TV’s “Hiruobi,” and comments on her Oscar predictions on CX’s “Mezamashi TV.” She writes movie reviews for “Pia” and “otocoto.” She has served as a judge for various film awards and set up the Women’s Journalists’ Film Award to spotlight female directors. She also gives movie stage greetings and serves as MC for stage greetings by visiting overseas stars. She authored “Magical Talking Techniques to Close the Gap in 2 Minutes” on movie psychology, and the movie script book “Confession of Love: 100 Selections.” She also covers the Cannes Film Festival.
Access the official accounts of
Tokyo Midtown Hibiya here
ABOUT
FILM LINE-UP
