Upcoming events and festivals! Japanese culture, kimono, tea ceremony, ikebana, Japanese traditional dancing, Japanese food, sake, green tea, etc. Go out in your kimono!

As 2026 marks a significant year for Japanese cinema on the global stage, this summer we turn the spotlight to four of its most acclaimed contemporary voices. With new works by FUKADA Koji, HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, KORE-EDA Hirokazu, and KUROSAWA Kiyoshi selected for major sections at the Cannes Film Festival, this series celebrates the creative force of Japan’s leading auteurs today.

Spanning intimate drama, psychological thriller, and period piece, the series brings together recent works that exemplify each director’s distinctive voice and thematic concerns. From nuanced explorations of human relationships to quietly unsettling reflections on society, these films demonstrate the depth and diversity of contemporary Japanese filmmaking.

In addition to the screenings at the Japan Foundation Toronto, we are proud to co-present a special outdoor screening of Rental Family at the IncluCity Festival. Directed by Hikari, a Japanese filmmaker gaining increasing international recognition, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 to critical acclaim.

Join us this July and August for a curated selection of films that reflect the artistry of contemporary Japanese cinema!

July 8 – August 11, 2026

All films presented in Japanese with English subtitles • Free Admission* (*for screenings at JFT) • In-person Screenings • Registration Required (register below)