2023 Japan Foundation and Consulate-General of Japan Film Festival
2023/12/1
The Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary and the Japan Foundation co-organized the 2023 Japan Film Festival, which was the jurisdiction’s first in-person film festival since 2019. This year, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and Calgary Central Library were chosen as venues for showings in Lethbridge on November 10th, and Calgary on November 19th.
The films shown were Bento Harassment (2019) and Dad’s Lunchbox (2017). Both films shared the central theme of bento boxed lunches, so to commemorate, 20 reusable bento box and chopstick sets were given away by random drawing. There were also a variety of Japanese snacks to enjoy throughout the showings.
In Consul-General Takahiko Watabe’s remarks to the viewers, he expressed his hope that these films would inspire further appreciation for Japanese culture, as well as a desire to visit.
The films shown were Bento Harassment (2019) and Dad’s Lunchbox (2017). Both films shared the central theme of bento boxed lunches, so to commemorate, 20 reusable bento box and chopstick sets were given away by random drawing. There were also a variety of Japanese snacks to enjoy throughout the showings.
In Consul-General Takahiko Watabe’s remarks to the viewers, he expressed his hope that these films would inspire further appreciation for Japanese culture, as well as a desire to visit.
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| The Lethbridge festival in progress | The Calgary festival in progress |
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| Consul-General Watabe delivering remarks in Calgary |
The Lethbridge prize draw in progress |