{"id":180102,"date":"2026-10-02T15:22:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T06:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?post_type=event&p=180102&lang=en"},"modified":"2026-10-02T16:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T07:53:14","slug":"fukuoka-independent-film-fes-2026","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/event\/fukuoka-independent-film-fes-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Fukuoka Independent Film Festival 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Founded in Fukuoka in 2009 as a joint screening event organized by independent filmmakers, this festival grew from a simple wish: to share their work with more people and meet fellow creators. It has since become a place to watch films, exchange ideas, and build connections that can lead to new projects.<\/p>\n

Now in its 18th edition, the festival presents 25 films selected through its competition at the Fukuoka Art Museum. The lineup explores social media, AI, gender, caregiving, and working life, reflecting contemporary society and personal experiences. Growing numbers of overseas submissions also bring a wider range of perspectives.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme, \u201cCHECK! Discover Them Before the World Does,\u201d captures the appeal of encountering films and filmmakers before they become widely known. Alongside screenings, opportunities to meet the creators bring audiences together with professional, amateur, and student filmmakers, offering a close-up look at the energy behind independent filmmaking.<\/p>\n

\"Fukuoka<\/p>\n