Japanese Film Festival 2021 - Stop Motion Animation Films

The Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with the Japan Foundation, is very pleased to announce the return of the Japanese Film Festival to Wellington!

The Japanese Film Festival is an annual event held to encourage the growth of Japanese culture and understanding in New Zealand. Each year, we try to give the people of New Zealand some insight into the culture, customs, and traditions of Japan, alongside what is popular with Japanese society today, through film.

All films will be in Japanese with English subtitles.

Title: Stopmotion Animation Films by Takeshi Yashiro
Director: Takeshi Yashiro
Released: 2020
Running Time: 106 minutes
Rated: PG

Award-winning director Takeshi Yashiro’s stop motion films rarely screened outside of Japan. Lineup: Norman the Snowman – The Northern Light; Norman the Snowman – On a Night of Shooting Stars; Moon of a Sleepless Night; Gon, the Little Fox.

Norman the Snowman – The Northern Light: As the first snow falls on a town in the northern country, a boy sneaks out of his house to board a northbound train with his friend “Norman the Snowman.” They are off to witness the beautiful wonders of nature that Norman had always talked about.

Norman the Snowman – On a Night of Shooting Stars: Tomorrow is the night of the shooting stars! A new chapter of “Norman the Snowman” begins as Norman and the Boy embark on another venture to see the star-filled sky.

Moon of a Sleepless Night: A squirrel and a boy set out on a journey together to restore daylight. They must find and release the moon stuck high up on a tree somewhere far, far away.

Gon, the Little Fox: When Gon, a playful orphaned fox, finds that young Hyoju has lost his mother, he tries to comfort him and make amends for his own earlier mischiefs by secretly bringing small gifts to the boy every day. But Hyoju doesn’t realize who is behind the anonymous gifts, and the two are headed for a heartbreaking climax.

Embassy of Japan in New Zealand.