Nippon Connection – Japanese Film Festival

NipponConnection.com

Nippon Connection is your annual festival for Japanese cinema and culture in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Over the course of six days, you can experience current films from Japan, inspiring workshops, exciting discussions, and wonderful concerts.

The 25th anniversary of the Japanese Filmfestival Nippon Connection takes place from May 27 to June 1, 2025! 

With more than 19,000 visitors, the 2024 festival edition has scored record attendance. The audience, as well as professionals and international guests, celebrated the versatile program and enjoyed the summery festival atmosphere.

Explore the diversity and marvels of Japanese cinema with us! Japan produces over 500 (!) feature and documentary films each year. In European cinemas, TV and streaming, you’ll only find a handful of them. Yet, Japanese cinema is so much more than “only” samurai, yakuza, and anime. At Nippon Connection, you'll find touching stories, sharp focus on social issues, thrilling dramas, crazy comedies, dystopian futures, bizarre short films…

24 years ago, it was even more difficult to watch Japanese films in Germany. Thus, students of Frankfurt University organized a first, small festival: 4 days, 13 films – and an overwhelming response of 10.000 visitors. Today, Nippon Connection has become the biggest festival for Japanese cinema worldwide: with more than 100 films and around 50 cultural events each year.

Many visitors have become regulars, fans of the colorful experiences, new perspectives and the homely atmosphere. At Nippon Connection you can talk to the film makers. Each year, more than 70 directors, actors and producers visit the festival and present their films.
 

However, financing the festival is a huge task – every single year. We do receive funding support from the Land of Hesse and the City of Frankfurt, and some private sponsors support us. Revenue from ticket sales and festival bars are other important sources. However, this is not enough to cover all costs. We are officially acknowledged as a non-profit organization and we do not generate any profits.

Every cent of your support will directly go into the festival: e.g. screening fees, location fees, and techniqual equipment.

Our team is organized as the non-profit Nippon Connection (registered association). We are around 80 members, across age groups and interests. You share the enthusiasm for cinema and culture? Let's create our favorite Nippon Connection Festival again in 2025!