The annual festival has been organised by the Consulate General of Japan in Karachi in collaboration with the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association Sindh and the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, with support from the Japan Foundation.
The festival aims to introduce Pakistani audiences to Japanese culture, art and storytelling through cinema while strengthening cultural ties between the people of Pakistan and Japan.
The opening ceremony featured the screening of the Japanese animated film Children of the Sea. The film follows a lonely teenage girl who develops a deep connection with two mysterious brothers raised in the sea. Their encounter awakens a hidden mental and spiritual connection between the girl and the depths of the ocean.
A total of six Japanese films, including Children of the Sea, will be screened as part of this year’s festival. The films will offer audiences an opportunity to explore Japan’s diverse stories, culture and cinematic genres.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Japanese Consul General Hattori Masaru thanked the audience for their enthusiastic participation and highlighted the cultural importance of cinema.
He expressed hope that the festival would provide participants with meaningful encounters, memorable experiences and perhaps a new perspective.
The event’s guest of honour, animator Shahzain Khan, known for her work on The Glassworker, spoke about her creative journey and said it began with Japanese anime and various cultural activities supported by the Japanese Consulate in Karachi.
She also highlighted her association with the pop culture group Shonen Infinity and appreciated the Japanese Consulate’s continued support for Pakistan’s growing pop culture community through initiatives such as Geek Haven.
According to Shahzain Khan, such support serves as an important source of inspiration for a new generation of artists and storytellers in Pakistan.
The Japanese Film Festival 2026 will continue throughout September at different venues in Karachi, giving local audiences an opportunity to experience Japanese cinema, culture and creative expression.
