Sep 06, 2022
Berlinale Spotlight: Generation in Japan 2022

For many years, the Berlinale has been present around the world with specially curated programmes. The Berlinale Spotlight extends the festival period, and thus, makes the activities of the Berlinale visible throughout the entire year.

Under the title Berlinale Spotlight: Generation, the Berlinale section Generation will once again present a programme which is curated jointly with the Nara International Film Festival (NIFF), and will consist of entries both from the 2022 Generation Kplus and the Generation 14plus competitions.

The Nara International Film Festival will be held in Nara, Japan, running from September 17 to 25, 2022. The festival director and Japanese filmmaker, Naomi Kawase, focusses specifically on the participation of young cineastes. From September 17 to 19, the NIFF is dedicated to the young audience. As part of the Berlinale Spotlight: Generation, a five person youth jury will view and discuss the selected films and ultimately confer the Crystal Shika Award. Furthermore, from September 19 to 25, the festival will present an international and a student film competition.

“We are very pleased to be able to continue our cooperation with the NIFF. This year’s Spotlight programme selection outlines the broad variety of stories, perspectives and forms that committed, contemporary cinema can present to a young audience”, says Sebastian Markt, Head of the section Generation. “With each edition, the NIFF opens up international film culture to a young audience, and it invites them, especially as part of the youth jury, to help shape it themselves. Those are objectives that connect us as the Berlinale platform for young people with the festival in Japan”, states Melika Gothe, who helped launch this Spotlight in 2018 and, as Generation’s section manager, is responsible for the section’s activities in the areas of cultural participation and film education.

The following films will be presented as part of Nara International Film Festival:

Kind Hearts by Olivia Rochette, Gerard-Jan Claes
Belgium 2022
Generation 14plus 2022
Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus International Jury for the Best Film

Stay Awake by Jamie Sisley
USA 2022
Generation 14plus 2022
Special Mention of the Youth Jury of Generation 14plus

Alis by Clare Weiskopf, Nicolás van Hemelryck
Colombia / Chile / Romania 2022
Generation 14plus 2022
Crystal Bear for the Best Film Generation 14plus

My Small Land by Emma Kawawada
Japan 2022
Generation Kplus 2022

Comedy Queen by Sanna Lenken
Sweden 2022
Generation Kplus 2022
Crystal Bear for the Best Film Generation Kplus

More information about the Nara International Film Festival: https://nara-iff.jp

Press Office
September 6, 2022