Film Festival 2026 – Programme, practical information, etc
25/03/2026 – 29/03/2026
It’s that time again! You can mark your calendar: the dates for the 16th edition of the Japan-Square Film Festival at the cinema’s of Ghent have been announced! From March 25 to 29, 2026, we will once again treat you to a delightful selection of Japanese films. As always, at selected screenings you can enjoy … →
The Imaginary Dog and the Lying Cat
Wed 25/03/2026 – 8:00 PM
It is 1988, and the Haneko family is living with the grandparents, their lives marked by the loss of the youngest son, Seiji. The mother becomes entangled in her unresolved grief, while the other family members keep their own tensions and secrets buried beneath the surface. Young Yamabuki and Beni serve as silent witnesses to … →
HAPPYEND
Thu 26/03/2026 – 8:30 PM
In the Tokyo of the near future, the threat of a devastating earthquake hangs over the everyday lives of its inhabitants like a dark cloud. Two best friends, on the brink of graduating from high school, play a prank on their school principal. What begins innocently leads to the installation of an all-seeing surveillance system. … →
Mag Mag
Fri 27/03/2026 – 8:00 PM
When her beloved is killed by the Mag Mag ghost, Sanae swears revenge. But is her revenge aimed at the right person? Mag Mag is Yuriyan Retriever‘s directorial debut. The popular Japanese comedian, known from America’s Got Talent, reimagines the Japanese horror genre in this film. With a soundtrack that will keep you on the … →
Aruku
Sat 28/03/2026 – 10:00 AM
On the renowned 88-temple pilgrimage across Shikoku Island, a spiritual journey that has endured for more than 900 years, a filmmaker documents her chance encounters with fellow pilgrims. Legend has it that Kūkai, the revered Japanese Buddhist monk and founder of the Shikoku pilgrimage, walks alongside every pilgrim, guiding each person according to their individual … →
Bento lunch
Sat 28/03/2026 – 12:30 PM
THE traditional Japan Square Film Festival Bento! This edition, GOHAN is bringing a traditional lunch to Sphinx! On Saturday, March 28, you can pick up a delicious bento lunch from 12:30 PM onwards (pre-order required), before the screening of the film *Purehearted* at 2:00 PM. This year, we are offering two different bento boxes (limited … →
Purehearted
Sat 28/03/2026 – 2:00 PM
Purehearted, adapted from Maha Harada’s novel Kaze no Majimu (Wind of Majimu) and set in Okinawa, follows Maki, a woman determined to launch the island’s first rum brand. With no prior experience but a growing passion, she faces skeptical bosses and navigates local politics. Balancing tradition and innovation, she overcomes numerous obstacles with the support … →
Welcome Back
Sat 28/03/2026 – 7:30 PM
Teru and Ben grew up together and consider each other brothers. While Teru, a rising boxing talent, begins to clash with his own limits and ego, it is Ben’s unwavering belief in him as an unbeatable winner that pushes the story in an unexpected direction. What starts as a sports film set in the gritty … →
Belle
Sun 29/03/2026 – 2:00 PM
17-year-old Suzu Naito leads anything but the vibrant life of a high school student. Since her mother’s death, a dark, almost suffocating shadow hangs over her life. One day, she discovers the app ‘U’, an immensely popular multiplayer VR world where players receive an avatar that reflects their true personality, and everything changes. This story … →
"Mini Matsuri" children's entertainment
Sun 29/03/2026 – 2:15 PM
Following the animation film ‘Belle’ and the Kamishibai performance, a fun children’s afternoon has been planned in and around de Koer in collaboration with Japanese exchange students from Ghent University, including traditional Japanese games, origami and even a kimono photoshoot: children can dress up in colorful kimonos, a unique opportunity to capture a beautiful memory. … →
A Pale View of the Hills
Sun 29/03/2026 – 8:00 PM
In this compelling adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel of the same name, director Kei Ishikawa portrays the life of Etsuko, who recounts her experiences in post-war Nagasaki to her youngest daughter. A Pale View of Hills unfolds as a film of two halves, shifting between past and present. It is a moving story about the … →
Film Festival 2026 – Sponsors, photos, etc
25/03/2026 – 29/03/2026
Thank you! Sponsors, photos… Photographer Rob Walbers, who traded Overpelt for Tokyo a few years ago, once again provided the poster image for the Japan-Square Film Festival this year. We thank our sponsors, generous donors and partners. Without their support, the Japan-Square Film Festival would not be possible. →
Our Little Sister
Wed 12/08/2026 – 9:45 PM
Our Little Sister is a heartwarming film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The story follows three sisters who take in their younger half-sister, Suzu, after the death of their father. Together, they discover the true meaning of family and belonging in their picturesque home in Kamakura. This moving film captivates audiences with its breathtaking cinematography. Through … →