LA EigaFest, is an annual film festival held in Los Angeles, California hosted by the Japan Film Society. It showcases the latest Japanese films to the American audience. The festival also hosts a Shorts Competition (the Golden Zipangu Awards) [1] and a Business Panel[2] every year. "Eiga" is the Japanese term for "Film."
The festival was founded by festival director Hayato Mitsuishi[3] who is also the Co-Founder and President of the Japan Film Society.
LA EigaFest was first held at the Chinese Theatre in 2011.[4][5] It was then held at the Egyptian Theatre in 2012,[6][7] 2013,[8] and 2014 [9] and L.A. LIVE - Regal Cinemas in 2015.[10]
Film Premieres
LA EigaFest has premiered major Japanese films on the big screen in the US that might not have otherwise been seen by US audiences.[11] Many of the films shown have made its International, North America, or US debut at LA Eigafest including such films as Lupin III (International Premiere),[12]Rurouni Kenshin (North American Premiere),[13]Unforgiven (US Premiere),[14]Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (US Premiere),[15]Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (North American Premiere) [16] and others.