Written by Aarohi Narain
When you think of Nagoya, what comes to mind? Aichi Prefecture wants to make sure it’s animation.
What to expect
Aichi is already home to the world-famous Ghibli Park. Now, it’s getting a new, international animated movie festival.
Alongside film screenings, there will be talks, workshops, and industry gatherings, all built around a “creators first” philosophy.
Program 2025
ANIAFF’s debut program spans everything from festival-circuit discoveries to big-name retrospectives.
The feature competition includes titles like Jinsei, a Japanese coming-of-age story; Dandelion’s Odyssey, a dreamlike Franco-Belgian adventure; Nimuendaju, a Brazilian film exploring Indigenous history; and Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake, which follows a young girl navigating emotional upheaval.
The invitational section adds standouts such as Koji Yamamura’s surreal Dozens of Norths and South Korea’s gentle youth drama Your Letter.
There’s also a full Mamoru Hosoda retrospective planned, including The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and Belle, plus titles like BLAME! and PATLABOR: Early Days.
Mamoru Hosoda himself will make an appearance.
See the complete schedule here.
Tickets 2025
For movie-only screenings, adult tickets cost ¥1,500, student tickets cost ¥1,000, and guests under nineteen can attend for ¥500.
For combined movie-and-talk sessions, adult tickets are ¥2,000, student tickets are ¥1,500, and under-nineteen tickets are ¥1,000.
Talk-only events are priced at ¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for students, and ¥100 for anyone under nineteen.
All-night screenings have a separate price structure: adult tickets at ¥3,500, student tickets at ¥3,000, and under-19 tickets at ¥2,500.
How to get there
Screenings take place at Midland Square Cinema, which is about a 5-minute walk from Nagoya Station.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
