We’ve got something extra special for you this fall. You’ll have a chance to win free tickets to two Japanese films being screened at VIFF this year: Nagi Notes and Our Mr. Matsura.
Come for the food, art, and crafts, and you could leave with a movie night on us.
Entering is super easy. When you visit the Fall Japan Market, just stop by the reception desk and drop your name in the draw. We’ll be picking winners at random throughout the event, so come early for the best chance to win!
What Is VIFF?
The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is one of the biggest film festivals in Canada. For its 45th edition, VIFF runs October 1–11, 2026, with more than 160 feature films over 11 days, plus filmmaker talks and live events across the city.
This year also brings expanded programming from the newly established Institute for the Moving Image, which connects filmmakers, artists, and industry leaders through professional development and international exchange.
If you’ve never been to VIFF, this is a great way to try it out.
Win Tickets to These Films
Nagi Notes
The latest film from acclaimed Japanese director Koji Fukada premiered in competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Yuri, an architect from Tokyo going through a separation, travels to the quiet countryside town of Nagi in Okayama. She’s there to visit her former sister-in-law Yoriko, a sculptor who wants to carve a portrait of her. As the slow work on the sculpture goes on, both women start facing the losses they’ve been holding onto.
It’s a calm, beautifully made drama about grief, friendship, and letting go, starring Shizuka Ishibashi, Takako Matsu, and Kenichi Matsuyama.
Perfect for: fans of slow, thoughtful Japanese cinema and rural Japan settings.
Our Mr. Matsura
A documentary with a strong Pacific Northwest connection.
In the early 1900s, Frank Matsura, the son of a samurai, left Japan and eventually settled in rural Okanogan County, Washington. With his camera, he photographed settlers, ranchers, miners, and members of the Columbia Plateau tribes, and became one of the most loved people in town.
His playful self-portraits feel surprisingly modern, almost like early selfies. Directed by Beth Harrington, this film is a warm story about photography, immigration, and building community across cultures.
Perfect for: history lovers, photographers, and anyone interested in Japanese immigrant stories in North America.
