LA EigaFest, a Japanese film festival based in Los Angeles and hosted by the Japan Film Society, will be presented from Dec. 6 to 8 at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood.
The three main objectives are to showcase Japanese and Japanese-influenced films that appeal to the broad American audiences; introduce and promote new and upcoming filmmakers and talent to the Hollywood community; and enhance the communication and relationship between the U.S. and Japanese film industries and thus create business opportunities.
“Eiga,” which means “film,” was chosen to be included in the name of the festival in hope that this would become an iconic Japanese-English term and a symbol of the world of Japanese cinema.
The schedule is as follows.
Friday, Dec. 6
Opening film: “Unforgiven” (U.S. premiere) at 7 p.m. Remake of the Clint Eastwood classic set in Meiji-era Japan, directed by Lee Sang-il and starring Ken Watanabe. Tickets: $15 (red carpet, opening ceremony, director Q&A, after-party tickets included).
Saturday, Dec. 7
“Nobody’s Perfect” at 11 a.m. New teacher Shinnosuke was born without arms or legs, but he won’t let that stop him. Directed by Ryuichi Hiroki. Tickets: $11.
LA EigaFest Matsuri from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The festival’s first street fair, featuring food and games. Free.
Business Panel from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn about adapting Japanese content for American audiences from industry leaders. Registration: $15
“Japan in a Day” at 11:30 a.m. A feature documentary exploring a single day in the life of Japanese citizens. Directed by Philip Martin and Gaku Narita. Tickets: $11.
“The Wind Rises” at 1:30 p.m. The final film by master animator Hayao Miyazaki. Tickets: $11
Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia Special Program from 2 to 3:25 p.m. Selected winners from Asia’s largest short-film festival. Free.
“Samurai Pirates” at 3:50 p.m. When a town’s livelihood is at stake, it’s up to four kids to find the treasure buried by their pirate ancestors. Directed by Kenichi Omori. With post-screening Q&A. Free.
“The Devil’s Path” at 4:10 p.m. True Crime at its best. Join journalist Shuichi Fujii as he gets to the bottom of a series of grisly murders. Directed by Kazuya Shiraishi. Tickets: $11.
“Seven Souls in Skull Castle” (North American premiere) at 7 p.m. A truly unique filmed stage experience chock-full of samurai action. Directed by Hidenori Inoue. With post-screening Q&A. Tickets: $11.
“Death & Tanya” at 7:30 p.m. A grim reaper becomes human to eat hamburgers and meets a disaster-prone woman. Directed by Taishi Shiode. With post-screening Q&A. Tickets: $11.
Sunday, Dec. 8
JVTA TV Anime Program from 11 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Watch four amazing anime episodes, never before translated. Free.
“The Story of Yonosuke” at 11:20 a.m. Everyone remembers him — that guy with the funny name who somehow changed their life forever. Directed by Shuichi Okita. Tickets: $11.
Presentation: “Mythology in Anime” from 12:50 to 2:10 p.m. JVTA leads a discussion on the mythology in anime. Free.
Competition Short-Film Screening and Golden Zipangu Award from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Six finalist films screened, one coveted award. Free.
“Library Wars” at 2:45 p.m. In the near future, armed forces face off over the written word and free speech. Directed by Shinsuke Sato. Tickets: $11.
“The Apology King” at 5:30 p.m. Follow along with the king of apologies as he gets his clients out of sticky situations. Directed by Nobuo Mizuta. Tickets: $11.
“Leaving on the 15th Spring” at 5:45 p.m. A family drama about life on an Okinawan island. Directed by Yasuhiro Yoshida. Tickets: $11.
“The Wind Rises” at 8 p.m. With post-screening Q&A. Tickets: $11.
For tickets and full descriptions of each film, visit www.laeigafest.com. General inquiries can be emailed to info@japanfilmsociety.org.