On August 22, JASC hosted our first-ever Kids Movie Night in partnership with the Chicago Japan Film Collective and Gaijin Chicago. Children enjoyed pizza and shaved ice before watching Moon of a Sleepless Night (2015), a beautifully crafted stop-motion film by director Takeshi Yashiro (八代健志).
After the screening, participants explored their creativity through a stop-motion animation workshop and lantern-making activity inspired by the film.
Relive the evening and learn more about the film on our event page!
Upcoming at CJFC
Chicago Japan Film Collective 2025
Backstreet Cinema Series Vol. 1
In-Theater Screenings (at Music Box Theatre, Chicago, IL, 60 seats)
Our friends at the Chicago Japan Film Collective (CJFC) are launching an exciting new program in 2025: the Backstreet Cinema Series. This series steps outside the usual festival format to showcase films that capture the spirit, scenery, and hidden beauty of Japan, much like the feeling of discovering a quiet backstreet.
The series opens with CJFC’s very first anime feature, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes—winner of the Paul Grimault Prize at the Annecy Festival 2023. The film follows two high school students who stumble upon a mysterious tunnel, leading them into a dreamlike world filled with life-changing possibilities. With stunning rural landscapes and an emotional story, this is a film best experienced on the big screen.
The second feature, Laugh, Everyone! makes its International Premiere in Chicago. This heartfelt comedy tells the story of a struggling second-generation rakugo storyteller navigating family expectations, cultural tradition, and his own path forward. Blending family drama with the rich world of rakugo and manzai comedy, it offers a warm and insightful look at Japan’s comedic arts.
🎟️ Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Japanese film in Chicago. Purchase tickets and learn more on CJFC’s website.
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes
夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口
DIRECTED BY TAGUCHI Tomohisa
RUNTIME 83 minutes
In-Theater Screening
Sat, September 6
@ 11:30am CDT
at Music Box Theatre, Chicago, IL
Laugh, Everyone!
みんな笑え
DIRECTED BY SUZUKI Taichi
RUNTIME 105 minutes
In-Theater Screening
Sat, September 13
@ 11:30am CDT
at Music Box Theatre, Chicago, IL
