Boston Japan Film Festival 2025

Boston Japan Film Festival 2025 – 15th Anniversary  From Journalism to Dialogue The Boston Japan Film Festival (BJFF), now celebrating its 15th anniversary, will be held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Stata Center in 2025. 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 focuses on journalism — presenting films that explore the power of visual storytelling to spark dialogue and reflection. Journalism is about documenting truth and amplifying voices. At its core lies both the act of knowing and the courage to question. Documentary film transcends simple record-keeping — it moves hearts and creates shared spaces for dialogue among people from different perspectives. 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. What we aim to convey through our work is the power of dialogue born from cinema — the power to question society, connect people beyond words, and foster understanding rather than division. In this commemorative year, BJFF returns to its roots with the hope that “films can create a future of mutual understanding through dialogue beyond the screen.”　 We warmly invite you to join us in this celebration of connection, reflection, and cinematic dialogue.  Raffle &amp; Donation Ticket Information This film festival is supported by the warm generosity of our community.<ul><li>Admission is free, but we kindly ask for your cooperation through donations to help ensure the continuation and growth of the festival.</li><li>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.</li><li>(Those without a raffle ticket will not be eligible to participate in the prize drawing.)</li><li>A raffle drawing will be held at the end of the program.</li><li> 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).</li></ul>We will also have a variety of exciting prizes, including meal vouchers and gift cards. Please stay until the end and join us 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 us for a casual networking reception with panelists, festival staff, and attendees. Light refreshments, including sushi, will be served. We also invite you to stop by the Tokyo Information Desk presented by the Tokyo Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau (TCVB), as well as the JAL desk for information on flights to Japan and domestic travel options. Participation is free—let’s celebrate the 15th anniversary together! 🎬 Program Overview Boston Japan Film Festival 2025 – 15th Anniversary From Journalism to Dialogue Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Venue: MIT Stata Center (Building 32), Room 32-123 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA Registration: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-japan-film-festival-2025-tickets-1845525228639?aff=oddtdtcreator">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-japan-film-festival-2025-tickets-1845525228639?aff=oddtdtcreator</a> Admission: Free (To receive a raffle ticket, please select a Donation Ticket at registration.) Official Website: <a href="https://bostonjapanfilmfest.org"> https://bostonjapanfilmfest.org</a> Program Schedule 🕐 Part 1 13:00–13:10　Opening Remarks 13:10–13:15   15 Years of BJFF 13:15–13:20　Student Film: The Dream of a Fallen Egg 13:20–13:30　Short Films: Quoth The Raven, “Nevermore” / The Nuclear Family’ (Exclusive Early Look) 13:30–14:10　Medium-Length Film: Where are all the journalists? Ugaya is here ! 14:10–14:15　Special Visual Installation: The Way of Sacred Harmony (Kan’nagara no Michi) 14:15–14:30　Break (15 min) 🕓 Part 2 14:30–16:25　Feature Film: JAPAN LIES The Photojournalism of Kikujiro Fukushima, Age 90 16:30–17:10　Panel Discussion Theme: “From Visual Journalism to Dialogue / The Integrity of Journalism in the Age of AI” Panelists: Hiromichi Ugaya, Ari Beser Moderator: MIT Japan Program 17:10–17:20　Raffle Drawing 17:20–18:00　Closing &amp; Networking Reception

MIT Stata Center (Building 32), Room 32-123   

BJFF

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Boston Japan Film Festival 2025

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