Screening of Japanese films at the Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF)

The Embassy organized a Japanese film screening project at the 2025 Reykjavík International Film Festival.
This year’s screening featured two films: the classic masterpiece Tampopo, and Tabi to Hibi (Two Seasons, Two Strangers), which won the Golden Leopard—the top prize—at the 2025 Locarno International Film Festival, marking the first time in 18 years that a Japanese film received this honor.
 
The Reykjavík International Film Festival is held annually with support by the Icelandic Ministry of Education, the City of Reykjavík, and various embassies. It is highly regarded as a platform for international cultural exchange.
 
Prior to the screening of Tampopo, Ambassador Takewaka made opening remarks, highlighting how Japanese food culture fosters human connection, and expressed gratitude to the festival’s organizing committee for co-hosting.
Additionally, Associate Professor Kristín Ingvarsdóttir, Head of the Japanese Language Department at the University of Iceland, gave a lecture on the film, which was well received by the audience, with comments noting a deeper understanding of the background of its production.
 
This project served as a valuable opportunity to showcase the appeal of Japanese films as well as to foster and to maintain interest in Japan among local audiences.