Written by Aarohi Narain
This is Japan’s only international film festival dedicated to showcasing works by women.
What happens?
Quick — list as many movie directors as you can. Now, how many of them are women?
Held every September in Nagoya, the mission of the Aichi International Women’s Film Festival is to spotlight works by women. Since 1996 it has showcased films from across the world, spanning fiction, documentary, and animation.
Alongside screenings, the festival hosts talks, symposia, and awards that highlight women’s voices and stories.
Schedule 2025
The complete lineup for the 2025 edition of the festival can be found here.
Here’s a few highlights:
Rwanda Café, Fukushima (screening on September 11, 10 a.m.) is Hiroko Kumagai’s world-premiere documentary tracing displaced residents of Fukushima and the healing space created by Marie Louise Towaru, a survivor of the Rwandan civil war and the 2011 disaster.
Santosh (screening on September 13, 10 a.m.), Sandhya Suri’s award-winning Indian drama, traces the story of a widow-turned-police officer confronting corruption during a murder investigation.
On the Water Surface (screening on September 13, 10 a.m.) by Zeynep Köprülü is a Turkish family drama about grief, memory, and reconciliation.
There will also be two symposia on the following topics:
- Disaster prevention and how it intersects with women’s empowerment (September 11 from 2 to 3 p.m.)
- The future of women in cinema (September 13 from 3:40 p.m.)
Tickets 2025
Advance tickets are available for purchase until September 10. They cost ¥1,000 and ¥1,300 for adults, for Will Aichi and Midland Square Cinema screenings respectively. Purchase tickets online.
How to get there
There are two main venues: Will Aichi and Midland Square Cinema.
Will Aichi is about 25 minutes from Nagoya Station. Take the Higashiyama Line to Sakaemichi, then switch to the Seto Line and get off at Higashiote. From there, it’s an 8-minute walk.
Midland Square Cinema is a minute away from Nagoya Station.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
