"The 8th Japanese Film Festival will run from Wednesday 24 November until Friday 26 November at the South Bank 5 Cinemas in Brisbane.

It then moves to Sydney, running from Monday 29 November to Friday 3 December at Dendy Opera Quays Cinemas.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW from South Bank 5 Cinemas and Dendy Opera Quays Box offices, and are only $7 for daytime sessions and $10 for evening sessions.

The Festival presents a showcase of contemporary Japanese films, from the heart-felt family drama QUILL to the animated adventure TOKYO GODFATHERS.

The multi-award winning samurai drama WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN won Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the 2003 Japanese Academy Awards. The film is set during the Meiji Period in the late 1800s, and tells the story of a common samurai in turbulent times. Yoshimura leaves his loved ones and the hardships of his poor clan, to seek his fortune in the big city, in a renowned samurai faction. This poignant drama unfolds amidst a fascinating and chaotic period in Japan's history.

The enchanting TOKYO GODFATHERS takes us to the snowy streets of Tokyo, where a runaway, a drunk and an ex-drag queen will be thrown into adventure after stumbling across an abandoned baby.

The Festival also features feel-good dramas and jet-setting love stories, traversing the gamut of human emotions, which may leave you laughing or crying, or both!

QUILL is based on a true story about a Œseeing-eye¹ Labrador puppy and director Sai Yoichi moves audiences with his remarkable story of the life of a seeing-eye dog and the visually impaired. QUILL was the highest grossing film of 2003 for the legendary Japanese production company Shochiku.

The Festival features three other Shochiku films, LOVE COLLAGE, HEAVEN'S BOOKSTORE and FIREFLIES: THE RIVER OF LIGHT.

Screening times are listed below. For detailed film synopses please visit www.sapff.com.au or www.jpf.org.au

Due to Festival Exemption Classification, all films except QUILL and SILENT BIG MAN (both family dramas rated PG), are rated 18+

BRISBANE

Wednesday November 24
6.30pm - QUILL (PG)
8.45pm - WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN

Thursday November 25
10.30am - QUILL (PG)
6.30pm - FIREFLIES: RIVER OF LIGHT
8.45pm - LOVE COLLAGE

Friday November 26
10.30am - QUILL (PG)
6.30pm - HEAVEN'S BOOKSTORE
8.45pm - TOKYO GODFATHERS

SYDNEY

Monday 29 December
Opening Gala - Invitation Only
WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN

Tuesday 30 November
11.00am SILENT BIG MAN
6.30pm WHEN THE LAST SWORD IS DRAWN
8.45pm TOKYO GODFATHERS

Wednesday 1 December
11.00am QUILL
6.30pm FIREFLIES:RIVER OF LIGHT (with director Sugawara Hiroshi)
8.45pm LOVE COLLAGE

Thursday 2 December
11.00am SILENT BIG MAN
6.30pm QUILL
8.45pm HEAVEN'S BOOKSTORE

Friday 3 December
11.00am QUILL
1.00pm Panel with visiting Japanese filmmakers, at The Japan Foundation, Chifley Plaza 6.30pm SILENT BIG MAN 8.45pm GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE (SOLD OUT)

The 8th Japanese Film Festival is sponsored by JAL, NYK Logistics, Madman, Ambience, JALpak. It is presented by the Japan Foundation Sydney, and the Consulates-General of Japan in Sydney and Brisbane, and supported by the Kinokuniya Bookshop, Dendy Cinemas and South Bank 5 Cinemas. The Festival¹s presenting partners are the Sydney Asian Pacific Film Festival (SAPFF) and ImagineAsia, promoting the best of Asian film in Australia."

Source: Paul de Carvalho, MD of ImagineAsia, E: paul@imagineasia.com.au