Seasons of Hanabi: A New Wind Blows in Japanese Cinema

A unique festival of its kind

for several years, Hanabi Seasons Festival offers French film lovers the opportunity to travel to Japan to discover Japanese culture through the prism of its cinema.

The concept is simple: From November 27 to December 17The initiative’s partner cinemas offer festival-goers the opportunity to discover a Japanese film during a preview every day for a week.

Find a list of partner cinemas on the Saisons Hanabi website.

After introducing you to gems like Asako I & II, The Asada Family, and Love Life, what surprises await you this time at Hanabi Seasons Festival?

Rising winter sun

This year the festival is dedicated to the winter season. From urban and cosmopolitan landscapes to misty provincial mountains, discover the beauty of winter Japan with a selection of 7 films sure to leave their mark in 2025.

My Sunshine by Hiroshi Okuyama

On the island of Hokkaido, winter is hockey season for the boys. Takuya, on the other hand, is more captivated by Sakura, who came from Tokyo and trains her followers in figure skating. He clumsily tries to follow suit so well that Sakura’s coach, annoyed by his efforts, decides to train them as a duo for an upcoming competition…

A wonder of humanity and beauty whose warmth melts the winter snow and the hearts of the audience, My Sun, which was presented in the category “From a Certain Point of View” at the recent Cannes Film Festival, will open Hanabi seasons from November 27, a month early. It will be released in theaters on December 25.

The feature film’s director, Hiroshi Okuyama, will grace the audiences of his film with his presence on December 11 at the Arlequin, Pathé Convention, MK2 Bibliothèque and UGC Les Halles cinemas.

Naoko Ogigami’s Zen Garden

Luxury, tranquility and sensuality. Everything is going well in the perfectly ordered life of Yoriko and everyone who joined the Water Sect like her. Until the day her husband returns home after a long absence, bringing with him a host of problems. Nothing, not even her most fervent prayers, seem to restore Yoriko’s precious calm… With all of this, how do we keep calm?

The Egoist by Daichi Matsunaga

A fashion editor, Kosuke is unabashedly stylish. Obsessed with his looks, he hires Ryuta, an ordinary boy, as his personal athletic trainer. During their training, the two men develop increasingly passionate feelings until Ryuta suddenly disappears…

Go Player by Kazuya Shiraishi

A former samurai, Yanagida lives a modest life in Edo with his daughter, devoting his days to a game with dignity that demands respect. When his dignity is tarnished by defamatory accusations, he decides to use his talents as a strategist to fight back and get his payback…

Looped by Junta Yamaguchi

A new day begins at Fujiya Hostel, located in the heart of Japan’s mountains. A typical day… or almost: because one after another, employees and customers realize that the same 2 minutes are repeated over and over again…

Before Dawn by Sho Miyake

He and Takato are colleagues at a small company that makes scientific instruments for children. As each discovers that they are facing health problems that disrupt their daily lives, a relationship of mutual support develops between them.

And finally, to close the festival in style, there will be a surprise film screening on the last day. Come to your cinema to find out what a gem it is!

To continue your discovery of Japan, the Hanabi Seasons festival also offers… a real journey! Try to win a week-long trip for two to Tokyo by sharing your thoughts on the various films featured in this edition’s previews.. Will you get a chance to see Japanese winter with your own eyes? Reply December 12th at 11:59 PM, time for the draw!

Hanabi Seasons invites you to a new unforgettable edition full of surprises from November 27 to December 17.