It is currently in its 13th year of representing a dazzling diversity of themes that are unique to Japan; pop culture (Happy Family Plan), traditions (Summer Days with Coo), societal issues (The Homeless Student), period pieces (Cherry Tree in the Hills), bizarre humor (Detroit Metal City) and of course Samurai (Goemon) and Ninja (Kamui) lore.

This year I have the immense pleasure of attending the festival (for the Melbourne screenings) for the first time, and plan on reviewing everything I see there, so stay posted for those around 3rd-8th December!

20 films will be showcased as well as a unique film-maker student short-film panel (Sydney only), and have been hand-picked by the foundation due to their popularity in Japan and award winning attributes. There is a mix of mainstream and limited release titles; a veritable hot pot of mixed up, messed up and dressed up cinema, let's review some of the highlights!

The Handsome Suit is Sydney's opening and Melbourne's closing film and is an identity-based comedy about the transformation of a dumpy chef into a handsome male model, when he discovers 'the handsome suit', don't take this one too seriously.

The Chef of the South Pole is a light hearted tale about fine dining in the South Pole, not really sure what to expect for this one, except the feeling of being hungry afterwards!

The Blue Bird tackles bullying and is like a serious version of Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), where the teachers unconventional style teaches everyone an important lesson, minus the after school special feel.

Gravity's Clowns (pictured) is a familial crime-mystery that is set to intrigue and excite.

All Around Us is the long (over 10 years), tragic and beautiful tale of a married couple which has garnered many awards. I caught this at the MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival) and would love to see it again.

Oppai Volleyball, I am excited about, especially after reading X's review (linked below), it's the tale of a teacher who motivates some young boys who play volleyball with the promise of if they win, she will flash them! Only Japan.

Detroit Metal City, looks too ridiculous to not see and concerns a Swedish Pop singing pretty boy that is transformed into the lead of a death metal band, unwillingly. Seriously.

The Kiss which also received several awards and nominations is a psycho thriller about a bizarre love triangle between a murderer, an obsessed lover and a lawyer, my kind of movie.

K-20: Legend of the Mask has been touted as the Dark Knight of Japan, well known actor Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as the hero in a retro-future Tokyo where WWII didn't happen and the elitist rich rule with absolution, but are terrorised by a mysterious masked thief.

The Cherry Tree in the Hills is a late period Edo era drama about a widow who falls in love with a samurai, after her new marriage and farming financial woes overcome her.

School Days With a Pig is based on a true story and is another school lesson (seeing a theme here) involving kids raising a pig for a year, but eating it when the year is up, or will they?

Finally, Kamui is a ninja tale of a man who is on the run, and seeks solace in a village that only increases his problems.

Phew that's it for my highlights, check out the website (link below) for the whole program.

Happy viewing! Let me know if you are going, your highlights, and what you have and want to see in the program!