At the conclusion of the festival ceremony, we are pleased to share the full text of the speech delivered by Haruko Kaida, Executive Producer of the Karatsu International Film Festival.

Full Text of the “Closing Speech” at the Karatsu International Film Festival 2025

The Karatsu International Film Festival has finally reached its grand finale. Starting from July 8 and running for six days until today, we sincerely thank everyone for accompanying us until the end. 

This film festival marks the fifth festival since we held the Short Film Festival in 2021, but it is the first international film festival solely organized by our cinema, THEATER  ENYA.

From submissions to the first round of judging, nominations, translations, and subtitle insertions, as well as arranging for international nominees to come to Japan, workshops, and hospitality projects, the work involved in hosting this festival far exceeded our imagination. However, beyond the rewards of that effort, we encountered wonderful works. Additionally, it is a great honor that many international films had their premiere screenings at this festival. 

As can be seen from the results of this year’s awards, it is a fact that the films from abroad had overwhelming strength. I felt that this came from a philosophical approach to how to depict humanity, a keen observational eye on society and the world, and a difference of perspective. 

We have the power to create beautiful poetry even amidst gunfire, and the heart to dream of going to space in the midst of an unreasonable daily life. Movies teach us that while the world is filled with unfairness and absurdity, people can live resiliently without forgetting to dance and sing, and that the soul is free in any environment.

The charm of an international film festival lies in the ability for people from various nations to experience diverse works in the same space. 

Film has the power to instantly dispel the prejudices and preconceptions about a country, culture, or people that we unknowingly form through media, allowing us to imagine those differences richly and freely. 

It also prompts us to question what it means to live, what it means to be human, and what love and peace are. 

Currently, Japan is facing a declining population and an aging society, and amidst economic stagnation, we are seeking light. However, when we watch Movies from around the world,we are still in a state of richness and peace. 

In this context, I have also been deeply prompted to think about how Japanese people will live moving forward and the role we should play in the world.

Currently, news of genocide is arriving daily from the Gaza Strip. While this festival received wonderful films from Iran, the filmmakers were unable to come to Japan due to airport closures caused by the war. 

I believe that film has the power to cultivate the human spirit, enrich the imagination of all people, and inform us that each of us is filled with infinite possibilities and love. I also believe that this can become a force for peace in the world. 

I hope that our film festival will continue to provide courage and build a wonderful network for those who will create films in the future, and that the beautiful local city of Karatsu in Japan will be communicated to the world, contributing to humanity’s peace. 

Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude and respect to all the filmmakers who delivered wonderful visuals and to everyone who worked hard to make this festival a reality. 

Our journey has only just begun. I hope that one day, Karatsu will be known not only as a city rich in traditional culture but also as a town with a beautiful film festival, and I want to continue to work hard towards that dream.

Thank you very much.

Karatsu International Film Festival
Executive Producer
Haruko Kaida

＞Here is the full speech in Japanese.