18th Nippon Connection Film Festival

It all started in the year 2000, when the Nippon Connection Film Festival, organized by students from Frankfurt’s Goethe University, first welcomed its guests and visitors. Nobody expected that, over the years, Nippon Connection would become the biggest festival for Japanese cinema worldwide. Today, the program regularly consists of more than 100 films and around 40 cultural events. The six locations include the festival centers Künstlerhaus Mousonturm and Theater Willy Praml in der Naxoshalle, as well as the German Film Museum, the Mal Seh'n Kino, the Theater Die Käs, and Ausstellungsraum Eulengasse.

Much has changed since the beginnings. Not only did the festival become larger and move away from its original location, but the organization team also developed professional structures without which the realization of events on such a scale (with more than 16,500 visitors!) would not be possible. However, the main objectives are still the same: to spark curiosity for Japanese culture, to inspire fascination for Japanese cinema, and last but not least: to bring people together!

Nippon Connection wants to present a diverse selection of Japanese films. Be it the latest blockbusters or independent productions, edgy animation or interesting documentary films – the majority of films in our line-up are usually not available anywhere else in Germany, whether in movie theaters or on TV or DVD.

Nippon Connection wants to offer a platform for the direct exchange between filmmakers and the audience. Every year, numerous guests from the Japanese film industry come to the festival in order to present their films, answer questions, and take in the feedback from the visitors.

Nippon Connection wants to create a unique atmosphere, foster encounters, and enable discoveries – not only for cinephiles, but also for shiatsu enthusiasts, tea gourmets, origami fans, and and and…

Even if it’s largely based on voluntary activities – a festival like Nippon Connection does not work without: money. These are some of the expenses that we have every year:

• Screening fees and transportation costs for the films
(approx. 20,000 €)

• Travel costs for filmmakers and artists (approx. 13,000 €)
• Rental fees for projection, sound, and other technical equipment
• (approx. 30,000 €)
• Artists’ fees and equipment costs for cultural events
(approx. 5,000 €)

• Rental fees for our office, storerooms, and festival locations
(approx. 27,000 €)

Add to that printing fees, costs for accounting, security, cleaning, and much more.

We do receive grants from the Federal State of Hesse and the City of Frankfurt, and we also have some sponsors. Still, financing the festival remains hard work. We are currently concerned about a rather substantial deficit caused by the withdrawal of various sponsors. Moreover, we are organizing our crowdfunding campaign without the financial support of Aventis Foundation this time.

That’s why we urgently need your help in order to maintain the rich variety offered by Nippon Connection! Support us, make sure to get some of our unique rewards, and tell all your family and friends about our project!

Nippon Connection provides cultural work recognized for its public utility. We do not make any profits from the festival. The money that we collect during this crowdfunding campaign will be invested entirely in the festival.

Without our Japanese guests, Nippon Connection would not be imaginable. With your support, we can invite filmmakers and artists from Japan and reimburse their hotel and travel expenses.