The 10th Okinawa International Movie Festival kicked off on Thursday April 19. The opening film program was called “Sakurazaka Film University” and it was held at the Sakurazaka Theatre, a much-loved and longtime venue used by the fest in the capital city of Naha.

First up was a screening of the Indian film Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. It is a sequel to the 2015 action fantasy epic Baahubali: The Beginning. Although the first film in the series was made for the Indian market, its large-scale action sequences, over-the-top visual effects and non-stop pace made it a visual feast that found fans around the world. Japan is no exception, and the second film in the series was eagerly anticipated.

However, this was no ordinary screening. It was special interactive event hosted by movie writer Maho Morita. Morita introduced several of Japan’s top comedians, including Razor Ramon, Nobuhiko Otani and the duo Peach Castle, who distributed light sticks and tambourines to the crowd. It was explained that this would be an “audience participation” screening.

Audience members chanted the name “Baahubali! Baahubali!” when the handsome lead character appeared to tame an elephant on a rampage through a crowded market. They shook their tambourines in rhythm with the music. With everyone having so much fun, the screening perfectly matched the 10-year theme of the festival… “Laugh & Peace.”

The next film to screen at Sakurazaka Theatre was Riding Uphill, which is set in Kokura, Fukuoka Prefecture, where Japanese professional bicycle racing began.

Koji (Kenichi Abe) is a former baseball player whose life has been going downhill ever since he was kicked off his team 8 years ago. When someone suggests he give bicycle racing a try Koji pours himself into training, despite being twice the age of the other riders.

After the screening, actor Kenichi Abe and director Kan Eguchi spoke to the audience. Abe, who brings both tough and heartfelt qualities to the character, recalled how important the role was for him when he auditioned. “I decided if I didn’t get the part, I would retire from acting,” he said. Thankfully for film fans, he did get the part. Eguchi said, “There are a lot of guys like Koji in Kyushu,” naming the island where the film takes place. He went on to explain that both he and Abe are from the area. “Men are just tougher there,” he said.

The Okinawa International Movie Festival has long included the program Local Origination Movies, works shot in regional areas of Japan. The next film shown, A Mermaid in the Gem, featured the beautiful beaches and skies of the Okinawan island of Ishigaki.

It tells the story of famous actress Nagomi Okimoto (former pop idol Makoto Okunaka) who is called back to Ishigaki to do retakes for a film based on a local legend of a mermaid who will turn to stone unless she is given a gem. While preparing for filming, Nagomi herself gets an expensive gem from her boyfriend (Takafumi Imai), leading to complications.

After the screening, there was an appearance by actor Akira Ishida of Non Style, who also wrote the script, and director Takeshi Jac Kosaka. Ishida said that aside from the beautiful sky and sea, one thing that makes Ishigaki special is that when someone goes out drinking, it is very easy to get to know strangers. He explained that an older man who appears in the film was a resident he met this way, and he also cast local school kids.

The Opening Ceremony for the 10th OIMF took place at the elegant ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel. 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.

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