About Us (English)

In recent years, with the increased attention given to Okinawa in the Japanese media, a number of films have appeared, both fiction and documentary, either set in or focused on these islands. As a consequence, multidisciplinary studies on Okinawan cinema currently undertaken exhibit a wider variety of methodological approaches, including historiography and textual analysis, archival research on movie theaters and film distribution, and fieldwork on film locations on the islands, all supported by an ongoing effort to collect, conserve and digitally restore 8-mm films. Such studies underscore the local vibrancy of the film culture in Okinawa. In addition to general theatrical releases, local screenings and film festivals are frequent, reflecting the efforts of the Okinawa Film Office. Moreover, screenings of Okinawan films, along with symposia and exhibitions linking cinema and Okinawa, appear outside of Okinawa nearly every year.

In response to such circumstances, the Okinawan Cinema Society has been founded as a platform for wider exchange and collaboration. We seek to facilitate studies on Okinawan cinema and, in order to make such studies more accessible, we organize conferences at which members can share their latest research on Okinawan cinema and/or publicize their films. Additionally, for encouraging a wider understanding of Okinawan cinema, we hold public events such as screenings and tours of film locations. Furthermore, through this website, we provide you with up-to-date information on Okinawan films. We encourage both individual and institutional participation, inviting not only film scholars, filmmakers and exhibitioners, but also visual archivists, film club members and other persons interested in Okinawan cinema.

Okinawan Cinema Society

Toshikazu SERA

Risa NAKAYAMA

Kosuke FUJIKI

Membership

To become a member of the Okinawan Cinema Society, you must (1) provide relevant details either by completing the membership form on this website or by sending us an email, and (2) pay the applicable first-year annual membership fee (no fee for student membership). Your membership for the appropriate year is validated by both our confirmation email and your postal receipt.

Our annual membership fees are as follows:

• • • Regular: JPY 2,000

    • Student: Free

    • Institution: JPY 10,000

All fees should be paid through Japan Post Bank. The following is our registered account name and number.

• • • Account Name: 沖縄映画研究会

    • Account Number: 01770‐3‐169095

If you wish to apply by email, please provide the following details to okinawancinemasociety@gmail.com.

• • • Name

    • Affiliation / profession

    • Contact info (postal address and phone number)

    • Email address

    • Your specialization or research interests