Cultural events

The Japanese Film Festival - Montreal -

The Japanese Film Festival is celebrating its 41st edition in Montreal and will be held this year again in May as part of Asian Heritage Month!
This annual event presented by the Japan Foundation offers free Japanese movie screenings in dozens of countries around the world, including several in venues across Canada. The Consulate General of Japan in Montreal is proud to be part of this cinematographic initiative year after year.
Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations required.

Location:

Cinémathèque québécoise, 335 De Maisonneuve Blvd East, Montreal, QC

Fee:

Free

For more info:

Website | Poster

a) "Father of the Milky Way Railroad" (銀河鉄道の父)

Original Japanese version with English subtitles
period drama, 2023, 128 min., dir. Izuru Narushima
This highly emotional biopic paints the life of Japanese novelist and poet Kenji Miyazawa. Set in a realistic and charming early 20th century Japan, the story focuses on Miyazawa’s close yet difficult relation with his father amidst his struggles to balance expectations and aspirations. The talented cast hits all the right notes and includes world-renowned award-winning actor Koji Yakusho.

Date[s] and time[s]:

May 23 (Fri), 2025, at 5:45 p.m.

b) "The Dancing Okami" (レディ加賀)

Original Japanese version with English subtitles
drama, 2024, 108 min., dir. Toshiro Saiga
With the gorgeous Kaga Onsen region as its backdrop, this light and inspiring film follows the story a young woman who, forced to abandon her tap dancing dreams, moves back home to take over for her mother as head of the family inn. There, she endeavours to bring the community together and revitalize the area by leveraging her passion for dance.

Date[s] and time[s]:

May 24 (Sat), 2025, at 3:30 p.m.

c) "L'intendant Sansho" (山椒大夫)

Original Japanese version with French subtitles
drama, 1954, 126 min., dir. Kenji Mizoguchi
Considered one of the greatest films ever made and now beautifully remastered in 4K, this black and white classic tells the tale of a family cruelly torn apart by exile and slavery in 11th century Japan. Director Kenji Mizoguchi, an undisputed representative of the Golden Age of Japanese cinema, tackles themes such as social castes and women’s condition in feudal Japan with a deft and sympathetic hand.

Date[s] and time[s]:

May 24 (Sat), 2025, at 6 p.m.

2026 MEXT Scholarships Announcement

Every year, the Government of Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology - MEXT) offers scholarships to foreign students who wish to study at Japanese universities. Three types are offered through the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal: Japanese Studies Students, Undergraduate Students, and Research Students.
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Undergraduate Students Scholarship until May 30, 2025, and the 2026 Research Students Scholarship until May 23, 2025.

For more info:

Website | Former Scholars' Experience Page

The 10th JLPP International Translation Competition

The JLPP (Japanese Literature Publishing Project), established in 2002 by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, hosts this translation competition to uplift and nurture emerging translators of contemporary Japanese literature.

Submission Period:

June 1 (Sun) to 30 (Mon), 2025

For more info:

Website