Shinagawa International Film Festival 2025 — Where Tokyo Nights Turn Cinematic
Every November, when the air in Tokyo takes on a crisp edge and the city’s lights start to shimmer with early winter energy, Shinagawa quietly transforms into a stage. Between high-rise towers and the waterfront breeze, the Shinagawa International Film Festival unfolds — an open-air celebration of short films, live music, and creative encounters that reimagine what “going to the movies” means in a metropolis of 14 million people.
Shinagawa International Film Festival at a Glance
This year, from November 10 to 15, 2025, the event will once again turn Shinagawa Intercity Central Garden into a glowing plaza of screens, laughter, and cinematic stories from around the world.
- Hours: Each day’s program begins with live music at 6:00 PM to set the vibe. Screenings begin around 7:00 PM and conclude around 9:00 PM.
- Entry: Free for many of the open-air screenings (advance registration may be required for certain spots).
- Location: The Festival will be held at Shinagawa Intercity in Shinagawa Central Garden, a relaxed urban green-space near Shinagawa Station. There are two major open-air movie screening venues. PRAY Theater which is located right by Shinagawa Intercity Hall and CREATOR’S Theater on Shinagawa Grand Commons Event Plaza.
- Getting There: The venue is very accessible via JR or Keikyu lines to Shinagawa Station. From there it’s a short walk to the festival site.
The Opening Ceremony — and Action!
The festival opens on the evening of November 10 with a live illumination countdown led by actor Kanata Hongo and TV personality Hiroe Igeta, who will officially light up the plaza and welcome audiences to six nights of films and festivities. The moment the LEDs flash on thousands of tiny constellations mirrored in glass towers marks not only the start of the festival, but also the beginning of Tokyo’s winter illumination season.
A Different Kind of Film Festival
The Shinagawa International Film Festival isn’t the red-carpet spectacle you might associate with Cannes or Venice. It’s an event built for accessibility — free entry, outdoor screenings, and a relaxed environment that invites everyone, from serious cinephiles to curious passersby.
Over its week-long run, the festival showcases 27 short films from Japan and abroad, many drawn from the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2025 selection — one of the most respected short-film programs in the region. The screenings begin each evening around 7:00 PM and continue until 9:00 PM, long enough for audiences to experience multiple curated programs organized around themes such as urban rhythm, memory, and hope.
Short Films, Big Ideas
Short films have long been the laboratory of cinema — the place where new techniques, new voices, and new ideas are tested. In that sense, the Shinagawa International Film Festival functions as both a celebration and a discovery ground.
Many of the works shown here are from emerging filmmakers who may go on to direct major features; others come from artists who deliberately choose the short form for its precision and emotional economy.
For audiences, this means a constantly refreshing experience. Instead of one long narrative, you get many — snapshots of different countries, emotions, and imaginations, all threaded together by the shared language of film.
While short films often last less than twenty minutes, they tend to linger far longer in the mind. This year’s lineup captures that intensity across a remarkable variety of styles and origins.
The Films That Shape the 2025 Edition of Shinagawa International Film Festival
This year’s lineup brings together stories of work, identity, humor, and transformation — small snapshots of life told through the lens of filmmakers from around the world. Each short film captures pure human emotion, whether it’s a familiar Tokyo street or a fleeting dream of freedom. All of the scenes are united under this year’s motto “prayer for the future”.
Tea Time (Japan / 15 min)
Director: Yusuke Arai Producer: Tokyo Short Film Lab Genre: Drama
A quiet, introspective short about a tea farmer from Sasebo who travels to Shibuya for the first time. As he delivers a batch of handmade tea to a café, he finds himself both overwhelmed and inspired by the city’s rhythm. Tea Time reflects on the balance between craftsmanship and chaos — a rural tradition steeped in the speed of modern Tokyo.
Circle of Donuts (Japan / USA / 17 min)
Director: Mari Taniguchi Producer: Pacific Bridge Films Genre: Comedy-Drama
When Yumi inherits her aunt’s 24-hour donut shop in San Francisco, she’s suddenly responsible for a business she never wanted. Over one sleepless night, she connects with an eccentric mix of customers and discovers how sugar, coffee, and kindness can fill more than empty stomachs. Circle of Donuts is both a cross-cultural story and a love letter to late-night workers everywhere.
Free Kick (Spain / 14 min)
Director: Javier Romero Producer: Círculo Rojo Films Genre: Comedy
In this lively Spanish short, a woman stuck in a dead-end job wins a chance to take a single penalty shot at halftime during a televised soccer match — with her life’s savings on the line. As she lines up for the kick, the crowd fades away, and the moment becomes something bigger than sport: a shot at self-liberation. Free Kick is absurd, funny, and unexpectedly touching.
… and many more!
The short films featured at the Shinagawa International Film Festival 2025 are carefully curated from prestigious festivals such as the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Japan’s largest international short-film festival and an Academy Awards®-qualifying event. Part of the magic of the Shinagawa International Film Festival lies in unexpected discoveries. Even if you didn’t plan to watch a particular short film, you might stumble upon a story that moves you, a performance that captivates, or a filmmaker’s insight that changes the way you see cinema
Beyond the Screen: Music, Food and Community
From November 11 to 14, a small music stage keeps the energy flowing between screenings. Acoustic duos, indie pop bands, and local DJs fill the garden with gentle rhythms, ensuring that even between films, the air buzzes with life.
Food trucks line the edges of the space, serving everything from Japanese curry and karage to cocktails and craft beer. The aroma of street food and the chatter of festival-goers add warmth to the cool evenings.
On the final day, November 15, the Local Friendship Stage invites community performers — dance groups, student filmmakers, and neighborhood musicians — to share the same spotlight as international guests, reinforcing the idea that the festival belongs to everyone who steps into its light.
It’s this interplay of art, appetite, and atmosphere that makes Shinagawa stand out among Tokyo’s growing list of cultural events. You don’t just watch; you inhabit the space, moving between food stalls, live acts, and cinema in a seamless rhythm.
Creators’ Theater: Behind the Scenes
Step inside the Creators’ Theater, a special program at the Shinagawa International Film Festival that takes audiences beyond simply watching a film. Here, the focus is on the passion and creative process behind every frame.
Alongside regular screenings, the Creators’ Theater hosts exclusive talk sessions featuring directors, producers, and cinematographers who bring their works to life. They share the hidden stories behind their films — the themes that shaped them, the challenges they overcame on set, and the unforgettable moments that made their creations possible.
It’s a rare opportunity to experience cinema from the inside out: to listen to the raw emotions and personal reflections of the artists themselves. By hearing their voices and understanding their journey, you’ll walk away with a richer, more personal perspective on how film connects imagination, craft, and human experience.
Practical Notes for Visitors
If it’s your first time attending, here’s how to make the most of it:
- Go early. While the festival’s charm lies in its spontaneity, a little preparation enhances the experience. Arriving around 5:30 PM gives you time to explore the venue before the first screenings.
- Layer up. Bring a light jacket and perhaps a picnic blanket; the November evenings near Tokyo Bay can be cool, although settling into the night air is part of the fun.
- Scout the schedule. Some screenings repeat or feature different subtitles.
- Stay flexible. If weather intervenes, screenings can shift indoors, so checking updates before heading out is wise. Still, even in drizzle, the festival retains a certain magic — reflections on wet pavement turning every frame into a mirror.
- Meet the filmmakers. Many directors attend casually — easy to strike up a chat after screenings.
The event’s proximity to JR and Keikyū Shinagawa Station means it’s easily accessible from anywhere in the city.
Looking Ahead: What 2025 Adds to the Story
What’s New in 2025
Expanded LED screen setup
Each edition of the festival grows a little more ambitious. In 2025, organizers are expanding the LED screen installations for clearer visuals
Stronger focus on international co-productions
International collaborations are also set to deepen, with new works arriving from Korea, France, and Thailand — further broadening the conversation that the festival sparks across cultures.
Collaboration with SONY PCL and Studio Chizu
Partnerships with SONY PCL and Studio Chizu will bring state-of-the-art projection and animation showcases, underscoring the event’s link between grassroots creativity and cutting-edge technology.
Enhanced eco-friendly event design
Adding eco-friendly initiatives such as recycled seating mats and zero-waste food packaging the organisers are committing to this year’s theme, “prayers for the future”.
A Celebration That Belongs to the City
What makes the Shinagawa International Film Festival special isn’t just its program or its guest stars. It’s the feeling that the city itself participates. For one week, a business district becomes a neighborhood again — united not by shopping or commuting, but by shared curiosity.
The festival’s motto could easily be cinema for everyone, everywhere. It reminds us that art doesn’t have to hide behind walls or ticket booths; it can live right in the open, projected against the skyline of the world’s largest city.
So when November 10 arrives and the first reel begins to turn, take a moment to look up. Between the screens and the skyscrapers, you might glimpse the real story — one of a community gathered in the glow of imagination.
Let YOKOSO Japan Curate Your Festival Experience
Navigating Tokyo’s festival scene can feel overwhelming, but YOKOSO Japan makes it effortless. From helping you discover hidden corners of Shinagawa to securing prime spots for screenings and food stalls, they craft a seamless experience tailored to your interests. Whether you want a guided tour of the festival, personalized recommendations for must-see short films, or a custom itinerary combining the festival with nearby cultural gems, YOKOSO Japan ensures your visit is immersive, stress-free, and unforgettable.
Shinagawa International Film Festival 2025
📅 November 10 – 15, 2025
📍 Shinagawa Intercity Central Garden, Minato-ku, Tokyo
🚆 5-minute walk from JR/Keikyū Shinagawa Station (Kōnan Exit)
🎟️ Admission Free / Some events require reservation
🌐 www.shinagawa-cinema.com
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