The 12th Japanese-Serbian Film Festival (JSFF) will take place from November 28th to December 1st, 2025 at the Yugoslav Cinematheque in Belgrade. This year’s theme, THE NEXT, brings together contemporary filmmakers from Serbia and Japan who explore new narrative perspectives, social challenges and bold artistic approaches — offering the audience a look into the future of filmmaking.
This year, JSFF presents a total of six feature-length and eighteen short films, along with numerous premieres, guest appearances by authors and programs that confirm the festival as a key platform for cultural exchange between Serbia and Japan.
Opening Ceremony – November 28th
After the opening address of the organizers and representatives of the Embassy of Japan, the audience had the opportunity to watch the film What Did You Eat Yesterday? directed by Kazuhito Nakae, which was shown as part of the Japanese Film Review organized by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation. This warm and humorous film follows the daily life of a gay couple in Tokyo, and the main actor, Hidetoshi Nishijima, is well known to the Belgrade audience from the award-winning film Drive My Car.
Before the main screening, the short film Morning Light – OKINAWA, directed by Raura Suzuki, was also screened. The film gently introduces the audience to the atmosphere of Japanese everyday life and nature through a contemporary poetic form.
Feature-length program
From Japan, three powerful films that bring a cross-section of contemporary Japanese cinema: the emotional drama River Returns by Masakazu Kaneko, awarded at the Gijon festival; then the intimate and socially engaged drama Love Doesn’t Matter to Me by Aya Igashi, which deals with the themes of emotional addiction and getting out of toxic relationships; as well as the vibrant urban film Yukiko a.k.a by Naoya Kusaba, set in the Tokyo hip-hop scene, which closes the festival.
Serbian cinematography is represented by three distinctly original works: Wind, Talk to Me by Stefan Đorđević, shown in the main program of IFFR Rotterdam; then Nikola Ležaić’s new visually daring drama How Come It’s All Green Out Here?, shown in Karlovy Vary; as well as Iva Radivojević’s When the Phone Rang, a hybrid film that had its international premiere at the Locarno festival last year.
Short films – contemporary Japanese and Serbian authors in dialogue
The short film program includes eighteen films from Serbia and Japan, spread over three days. Through animation, experiment, genre forms and contemporary drama, filmmakers open up a wide range of poetics and sensibility. This year’s program is further enriched by the arrivals of prominent Japanese artists, including Masahiro Saito, Yellow Mashi Mashi Rhapsody (Beta) and Saki Haruo, A Recipe for Cat Ghosts.
A special guest of the festival will be producer Kazuyuki “Kazz” Kitaki, selector of the Japanese program and long-time associate of JSFF.
Industry event
On Saturday, November 29 at 17:00, the panel “Obstacles and Potentials” will be held, dedicated to the possibilities of co-production, talent exchanges and future projects of film professionals from Serbia and Japan.
Awards
JSFF awards the award for the best feature film (JSFF Grand Prix), special recognition (Nikola Stojanović Legacy Award), best short film, best Japanese short film (decision of the Serbian jury) and best Serbian short film (decision of the Japanese jury) will be presented.
The closing and awards ceremony will take place on Monday, December 1st at 20:00h.
The festival is held at the Yugoslav Cinematheque at Uzun Mirkova 1. Entrance to the opening ceremony is free, while the price of admission for all other screenings is 250 dinars.
Website: https://www.jsffest.com/
Instagram: jsffofficial
PHOTO: JSFF