The Opening Ceremony for the 10th Okinawa International Movie Festival took place at the elegant ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel in the evening of Thursday, April 19th. Filmmakers, reporters and other guests were welcomed by a performance of a traditional Okinawan folk dance. There was also a video showing highlights of the first 10 years of the festival, starting in 2009, and featuring famous guests, such as Okinawan-born Namie Amuro.

MCs Ayako Kisa and Yuichi Kimura introduced Hiroshi Osaki, Chairman and CEO of Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., which organizes OIMF. Famous comedian Kiyoshi Nishikawa announced that the festival had begun and thanked the crowd for supporting the festival for 10 years.

Osaki said that the festival has gone on for 10 years, but he hopes it will continue for 100 years. He hopes that after one century, a new entertainment industry from Okinawa will go out into the world. He said that is why he started a movie festival, as well as a school, the recently opened Laugh & Peace Entertainment School Okinawa.

There was also a greeting from Kim Dong-ho, who was the longtime Chairman of the prestigious Busan International Film Festival, and is now honorary adviser for OIMF. Kim said that he has attended all 10 installments of OIMF. He noted that there is a proverb in South Korea that says, “after 10 years, everything will be changed.” He said that OIMF has changed, becoming a festival that everyone can enjoy, including residents of Okinawa.

Masaharu Noguni, Honorary Vice-Chairman of the festival’s Organization Committee, also spoke. Noguni is the Mayor of the town of Chatan, which hosted the very first installment of OIMF. He recalled that at the time, Osaki said he hoped the festival would last three years, but now the festival is already in its 10th year. “That is the first step in getting the festival to 100 years,” he said.

Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma said that The Okinawa International Movie Festival contributes a lot to tourism in Okinawa.
Politician Seiichi Eto noted that the slogan of the festival this year is “Let’s Start Something New!” He said that OIMF has been introducing people to the attractions of Okinawa for 10 years now.

The Vice-Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, Moritake Tomikawa, also gave a speech. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a message of greeting.

Finally, comedian Bunshi Katsura then made a toast, saying “mensore,” a phrase used in Okinawa to mean “welcome!”

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