Boston Japan Film Festival 2025

BJFF is celebrating its 15th anniversary at MIT, returning to its roots as a platform for dialogue between Japan and the U.S. through film. Founded in 2011 in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, BJFF was born as “a platform for dialogue between Japan and the U.S. through film.”

This milestone year, themed “From Journalism to Dialogue,” highlights the power of visual storytelling to question, connect, and inspire — presenting films that explore how journalism can spark dialogue and reflection.

BJFF 2025 will feature:

• “Quoth The Raven, ‘Nevermore’” and an exclusive early look at “The Nuclear Family” by filmmaker and visual journalist Ari Beser, who has long documented the stories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors.

• ” Where are all the journalists? Ugaya is here !”, following a journalist who continues to report from Fukushima years after the nuclear disaster.

• “JAPAN LIES: The Photojournalism of Kikujiro Fukushima, Age 90”, portraying the life and spirit of the legendary photojournalist Kikujiro Fukushima.

  
  

Following the screenings, a panel discussion will be held under the themes “From Visual Journalism to Dialogue” and “Integrity of Journalism in the Age of AI.” Panelists include journalist Hiromichi Ugaya and documentary filmmaker Ari Beser, moderated by the MIT Japan Program.

As a new initiative this year, the Student Film Section will present “The Dream of a Fallen Egg,” a CG animation created by a seventh-grade student. Additionally, as a special visual installation, there will be a screening of “The Way of Sacred Harmony (Kan’nagara no Michi),” a film depicting the Japanese spirit of living in harmony with nature.

In addition to film screenings, the festival will feature a raffle with a chance to win round-trip tickets to Japan, Japanese food and light refreshments, and a networking reception.

Join BJFF for an inspiring cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and the U.S. through the power of cinema.

-Raffle & Donation Ticket Information-

This film festival is supported by the warm generosity of the BJFF community.

• Admission is free, but they kindly ask for your cooperation through donations to help ensure the continuation and growth of the festival.

• Those who select a donation ticket ($10 each) at registration will receive one raffle ticket per donation ticket at the check-in desk on the day of the event. (Those without a raffle ticket will not be eligible to participate in the prize drawing.)

• A raffle drawing will be held at the end of the program. This year’s grand prize is 80,000 JAL miles, equivalent to a round-trip Premium Economy ticket between Boston and Japan, generously offered by Japan Airlines (JAL).

There will also be a variety of exciting prizes, including meal vouchers and gift cards. Please stay until the end to join for the raffle!

-There is no limit to the number of donation tickets per person.

- Please note: Donations are used exclusively to support the operation of the Boston Japan Film Festival. MIT and the MIT Japan Program are not involved in any financial aspect of the festival.

-Post-Program Networking Reception-

After the screenings and discussion, please join for a casual networking reception with panelists, festival staff, and attendees. Light refreshments, including sushi, will be served. Participation is free—let’s celebrate the 15th anniversary together!