Okinawa International Movie Festival

Overview

Note This event was discontinued in 2024. (Successor: Shima Zenbu de Okina Matsuri - Okinawa International Cultural Festival, https://oicf.jp/) The Okinawa International Movie Festival (Okinawa International Film Festival) was a film festival held in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Organized primarily by Yoshimoto Kogyo, the first edition took place in 2009, and the 16th and final edition was held in 2024. From 2025 onward, the event has been relaunched as the Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Cultural Festival.

This festival was not merely a film event but a comprehensive entertainment festival encompassing music, comedy, dance, art, and sports, with venues across the entire Okinawa Prefecture. In 2015, the festival was rebranded as the Island-wide Big Festival, and the film competition category was abolished.

History and Origin

The Okinawa International Movie Festival was first held in 2009 under the sponsorship of Yoshimoto Kogyo. The background for establishing this festival in Okinawa lay in Yoshimoto Kogyo's intention to contribute to the revitalization of Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawa Prefecture is a region with a unique culture distinct from mainland Japan, and the festival aimed to disseminate the region's appeal both domestically and internationally.

In 2011, new programs were added to the existing international film category, expanding the scale of the festival. In 2015, the festival name was changed to the Island-wide Big Festival, marking a significant renewal. This name change was intended to emphasize that the entire Okinawa Prefecture would serve as the venue, creating a festival where residents and visitors could enjoy themselves together as one. Concurrently, the film competition category was abolished, strengthening the festival's character as a comprehensive entertainment event.

In March 2024, Yoshimoto Kogyo announced its withdrawal from the executive committee at the end of that year. Following this announcement, the Okinawa International Movie Festival Executive Committee held an extraordinary general meeting to discuss future operations. However, with Yoshimoto Kogyo, which had played a central role, withdrawing, it was deemed difficult to continue the festival beyond that year. Consequently, it was decided that the 16th edition would be the final one, and the executive committee would be dissolved.

The 16th Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Movie Festival was held on April 20th and 21st, 2024, marking the final edition of the film festival. Subsequently, in April 2025, the event was relaunched as the Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Cultural Festival. This new cultural festival is planned and operated by the Okinawa Entertainment Promotion Association, aiming to disseminate the appeal of Okinawan culture and entertainment while collaborating with local communities.

Highlights

Red Carpet As one of the main components of the festival, actors from notable films, famous local characters, and trending influencers walk along a red carpet. This ceremony has been popular as a valuable opportunity for attendees to see film industry figures up close. The sight of participants in glamorous outfits waving to spectators along the roadside has become an iconic scene symbolizing the opening of the festival.

Invited Film Screenings Carefully selected films from Japan and abroad are screened at multiple cinemas in Naha City. These works include highly anticipated releases before their general public opening and indie films rarely shown within Okinawa Prefecture. Often, stage greetings and talk shows featuring directors and cast members follow the screenings, providing a space for direct interaction between the audience and the creators.

Comedy Live Shows Because the festival was originally organized by Yoshimoto Kogyo, popular comedians with national recognition performed live shows each year. Stages were set up simultaneously at multiple venues within Okinawa Prefecture, allowing attendees to freely watch performances by their favorite comedians. An atmosphere of shared laughter between the audience and the performers was created within Okinawa's characteristically bright and cheerful ambiance.

Music Live Performances Artists from various genres performed live concerts in the beautiful locations of Okinawa. Musicians from Okinawa as well as performers active nationally participated, offering a wide range of musical experiences. The live performances held on specially constructed beachfront stages, combined with Okinawa's warm climate, provided attendees with an immersive sense of occasion that created lasting memories.

Art Exhibitions Exhibitions by local Okinawan artists and creators were held around Kokusai Street and at various venues. These were evaluated as spaces where visitors could experience the diverse artistic expressions of Okinawa, from contemporary art to traditional crafts, all at once. These exhibitions served to convey Okinawan culture from a different angle compared to film and music.

Food Booths Booths were set up by various municipalities within Okinawa Prefecture, selling local specialties and traditional cuisine. Visitors could enjoy Okinawan food culture in depth, from standard items like Okinawa soba, taco rice, and sata andagi to rare gourmet offerings limited to specific areas. These booths played an important role in conveying the depth of Okinawa's food culture to attendees.

Event Information and Access

• Timing: The festival was typically held in April. However, the Okinawa International Movie Festival concluded with its 16th edition in 2024. For the latest schedule and availability, please refer to the official website of the successor event.
• Venue: The main venue was Naminoue Umisora Park in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. Additional venues included areas around Kokusai Street, Sakurazaka Theater, and Chatan Town, among other locations across the prefecture.
• Access: Approximately 20 to 30 minutes by monorail (Yui Rail) or taxi from Naha Airport. The main venue, Naminoue Umisora Park, is about a 15-minute walk from Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail.
• Admission: Viewing the red carpet along the roadside was free. For paid programs such as screenings and live shows, fees vary by year, so please refer to official announcements. Some workshops and exhibitions were available for free participation.
• Organizer: Okinawa International Movie Festival Executive Committee (1st to 16th editions). From the 17th edition onward, the event has been organized as the Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Cultural Festival by the Okinawa International Cultural Festival Executive Committee.
• Contact Information: As the film festival has ended, no current contact point is established. Please refer to the official website of the Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Cultural Festival for the latest information.

Surrounding Area Information

Naha City in Okinawa Prefecture is the political, economic, and cultural center of the prefecture. Kokusai Street is the main thoroughfare of Naha City, lined with souvenir shops and restaurants, and is always bustling with tourists. It is within walking distance from the main venue, Naminoue Umisora Park, allowing attendees to enjoy shopping and dining in between festival events. Naha City also contains World Heritage sites such as Shuri Castle Park and Tamaudun, making it possible to learn about Okinawan history in conjunction with attending the festival.

Chatan Town, which was used as a sub-venue for the festival, is located approximately 30 minutes by car from Naha City. Chatan Town is known as a hub for youth culture, centered around American Village, and attracts many tourists. The participation of various municipalities across Okinawa Prefecture demonstrated that the festival functioned as an event involving the entire region.

Naha City is home to Naha Airport, providing good access from major domestic cities. Additionally, because international and domestic cruise ships call at Naha Port, transportation for festival attendees was generally convenient. With the conclusion of the film festival, attention is now focused on how these areas will be utilized for new cultural events in the future.

Related Information

• Official Website: The official website for the Okinawa International Movie Festival has been closed following the festival's conclusion. The official website for the successor event, the Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Cultural Festival, is available at oicf.jp.
• Historical Timeline: The first edition was held in 2009, and the festival concluded with the 16th edition in 2024. From 2025, the event was relaunched as the Okinawa International Cultural Festival.
• Changes in Organizing Body: From the 1st to the 16th edition, the festival was organized by the Okinawa International Movie Festival Executive Committee, led by Yoshimoto Kogyo. From 2025 onward, the event is organized by the Okinawa International Cultural Festival Executive Committee, operated by the Okinawa Entertainment Promotion Association.
• Name Changes: From 2009 to 2014, the event was named the Okinawa International Movie Festival. From 2015 to 2024, it was called the Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Movie Festival. From 2025, it has been renamed the Island-wide Big Festival Okinawa International Cultural Festival.
• Related Events: During the festival period, it was customary for television programs related to Yoshimoto Kogyo to conduct location filming in Okinawa. Additionally, community-based projects such as PR video contests for each municipality were implemented.
• Local Collaboration: As indicated by the name Island-wide Big Festival, all 41 municipalities within Okinawa Prefecture played a role in disseminating the appeal of their respective regions, supported by entertainers providing full support.

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