Film Program
Since its inception, ACE Japan has organized unique film programs. ACE Japan recognizes the importance of film as a tool to promote international cultural exchange. As one of these activities, we have organized retrospective programs such as Ken Loach (1994), Frederick Wiseman (1998), Carl Th Dreyer (2003), and organized tours in Japan of these retrospectives. We also distribute nationwide on a non-commercial basis a wide range of foreign feature and documentary films from the collection of the Japan Foundation and other film festival organizers.
(1) Film Exhibition Network Conference
Since 1996, we have organized an annual Film Exhibition Network Conference.
Organizers of community-based film festivals and independent exhibitions
(generally called public film exhibitions) from different sectors such
as local government officers, museum curators, art-house programmers and
cine-club organizers meet each other to exchange information and discuss
common problems.
(2) Japan Community Cinema Center
With the support of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, ACE Japan conducted
a two-year research project to investigate public support systems for
film exhibitions in Europe, the U.S and Korea. We also conducted research
in 2002 to investigate the current situation of film exhibitions in Japan.
Through these research projects, the role of Community Cinema as an organization
responsible for public film screening in Japan was clarified. The theme
of the Film Exhibition Network Conference held in September 2003 was "Declaration
for Community Cinema". The first activities of the Community Cinema
were announced as follows:
1. Rectifying the gap for film exhibitions between cities and outlying
regions
2. Increasing the range of films for screening
3. Offering opportunities to larger audiences to appreciate a wider range
of films
4. Creating a healthy environment for film culture in regional areas.
We also announced the founding of the Japan Community Cinema Center, to
promote and support the activities of the Community Cinema.
(3) Film Network
This is a magazine published quarterly in Japanese of information on non-commercial,
public film screening activities.
Japan Association for Cultural Exchange (ACE
Japan)
1-9-15 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
No reproduction or republication without written permission.
© ACE Japan. All Rights Reserved. 2004