Upcoming Special Events and Screenings

World X-Shibuya
(June 26,2007 - July 29th, 2007)

James Gray Gallery, Santa Monica - World X-Shibuya is a project for Shibuya’s Japanese creators and artists to bring and share their artworks with people outside of Japan. They will not be displaying kimonos, anime or things that are already overplayed. From nail art to fashion, come see the latest expressions of Japanese creativity. In addition, the exhibition will also be shown in Paris, and artists all over the world will also get a chance to exhibit in Shibuya, Tokyo. For more info, go to: http://worldxshibuya.com/default.aspx.

Tezuka Museum
(Showing Until September 9th, 2007)

San Francisco Asian Art Museum - The creator of “Astro Boy”, “Kimba the White Lion” and “Princess Knight”, Tezuka Osamu was surprised to hear that museums wanted his original drawings for fans to appreciate his work in a gallery years ago. Tezuka originally offered to create new art for the show, rather than display the working panels that were cut, glued and covered in corrections. However, he was not able to live to see that moment as he passed away in 1989. One month ago, the first exhibition devoted to Tezuka outside of Japan opened at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, where it runs through September 9th. Tezuka, sometimes called the Walt Disney of Japan, created more than 70 titles, drawing 150,000 pages over his long career. For more info, go to: http://www.asianart.org/.

**Reference: 6/6/2007 LA Times

Noriko’s Dinner Table
(July 6, 2007-July 12, 2007)

Regent Showcase Theatre, Los Angeles -- Created by a Japanese poet and filmmaker, Sion Sono, “Noriko’s Dinner Table” is the semi-prequel to Sono’s 2001 cult hit “Suicide Club”. Come and watch this one of a kind thriller. For more info, go to: www.tidepoint.com.

STORY: Bored and restless with her oppressively ordinary small-town existence, 17-year-old Noriko runs away to Tokyo to meet friends she’s made in an online community for girls her own age. Adrift in the big city, she discovers that her Internet pals are in fact part of a rent-a-family outfit that assumes roles and plays out whatever family drama their lonely clients will pay for. Noriko joins the band of players. When Noriko’s sister follows her to Tokyo, their father fears that his daughters are part of an Internet cult whose teenaged members share a common bond—a group suicide pact. He embarks on a frantic search to find his daughters and reunite his family. Even if it means he has to hire them to act the part.

Japan International Content Festival (CoFesta)
(September 30th, 2007 - October 28th, 2007)

Tokyo - Japan’s Visual Industry Promotion Organization has announced that the first Japan Content Festival, also called CoFesta, will be held in Tokyo from September 30 - October 28th. CoFesta will present the full range of Japanese content, including films, anime, comics, music, TV shows and character goods, in events at various venues. Several ConFes events will also be held during the Tokyo Film Festival, which will be held on October 20-28th.

Tokyo Game Show
(September 20th, 2007- September 23rd, 2007)

Tokyo - The Tokyo Game Show will be held at Makuhari Messe Hall this year. The event will focus on the next-generation games and will be extended a day, with a bigger market. For more information, go to: http://tgs.cesa.or.jp/english/.

TIFFCOM 2007
(October 22nd, 2007-October 24th, 2007)

Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo - TIFFCOM 2007, also known as the Tokyo International Film Market, will be holding its 4th annual convention again in Tokyo. They plan to invite greater numbers of exhibitors from the film, TV, and animation industries. Registration will cost approximately $80. For more info, go to: http://www.tiffcom.jp/.