I am Hirobumi Watanabe, Festival Director and Programming Director of the Tochigi International Film Festival.

Last year, with the cooperation of many people, I was able to hold the "1st Tochigi International Film Festival," a long-held dream, in my hometown of Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Those three days, watching the light emanating from the screen together with the audience and filmmakers, and engaging in conversations that transcended language and national barriers, have become a precious treasure that I will never forget.

The original films gathered from over 20 countries around the world, and the enthusiasm of the more than 900 audience members over those three days.

When I witnessed that scene, I became convinced.

Tochigi has a rich soil for a strong and deep love of film, and from here, we can send out a new wave of culture to the world.

And now, in 2026, we have decided to hold the "2nd Tochigi International Film Festival" in Utsunomiya City, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, aiming for further evolution.

Movies sometimes save lonely souls, and sometimes change our view of the world.

I sincerely look forward to sharing the magic of film with you once again over four days in Utsunomiya in September.

Let's meet in Tochigi to discover unseen masterpieces and see the smiles of those who love movies.

The 2nd Tochigi International Film Festival
Festival Director / Programming Director
Hirobumi Watanabe
渡辺監督
Hello. My name is Yuji Watanabe.

As a film composer and music scorer, I have been involved in many projects, including commercials and other films.

In 2013, together with my brother, film director Hirofumi Watanabe, we established the film production group "Otawara Gutonsha." Since then, I have continued to make films based in Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture, while working as a film composer, music scorer, and producer.

Our starting point was a town without a movie theater. With limited screening options, we continuously considered "how can we deliver films?" and steadily continued our activities.

The first Tochigi International Film Festival, held in 2025, was a challenge born from that accumulation of experience. I still remember every casual word exchanged after the screenings, while watching the films on the screen that day. It wasn't grand words, but in the small impressions and glances, there were moments when film truly changed the distance between people.
In 2026, we are moving forward with plans for the second edition of the festival. While the venue will expand to Utsunomiya, our core principles remain unchanged.

Our goal is to bring films from the region and to create a space where people can connect through film. We envision this film festival not only as a place to "watch" films, but also as a place where "creators" and "viewers" intersect.

Through screenings of domestic and international films and dialogues with filmmakers, we aim to create a space where the region and the world connect. As a film composer and someone who has brought films to this region, I am confident that this film festival will hold great significance for Tochigi.

I sincerely look forward to seeing you in Utsunomiya in September.

Tochigi International Film Festival Festival Director/Programming Director, Film Composer/Scorer
Yuji Watanabe