Film fest in full swing

There is still time to get in on the Japanese Film Festival at the Vernon Towne Theatre.

Presented by the Vernon Japanese Cultural Society, with support from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society, the film festival carries on throughout November.

Anime fans can take in the Saturday screening of the family-friendly Summer Days With Coo and hear from the subtitler Paul Bryden, about his experience working on the film.

Before the show, people can learn how to fold origami.

The second feature is from the wildly popular Demon Slayer series.

Movie goers are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character.

On Sunday, Nov. 17, Taiko drumming returns with Yamabiko Taiko from Kelowna, and the Vernon Taiko Group.

The feature film is Evil Does Not Exist by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, the director of the Academy Award-winning film, Drive My Car. This film, with a dramatic twist, explores the conflict that arises when a big-city corporation tries to set up a tourist facility in a rural area, and the efforts of the locals to protect their environment.

Doors to the Towne Theatre will open at 1:30 p.m., and cultural activities start shortly after that. Film screenings will start approximately 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 per day and can be bought online or at the door.

The final day of the festival takes place at the Vernon Japanese Cultural Centre, 4895 Bella Vista Road. The event starts at 2 p.m., with the showing of two documentaries about the Japanese Canadian experience.

Tsunagu, by Vancouver filmmaker Lucy Komori, is about the internment of Japanese Canadians during the early days of the Second World War, and the long-term effects and trauma resulting from that. One Big Hapa Family, is by Kelowna-born filmmaker and author, Jeff Chiba Stearns, and chronicles the diverse heritages and identities of multiple generations of his family.

Both of the filmmakers will be in attendance to talk about their documentaries and engage in discussion with the audience. The public is invited to attend the free community event.

For more information, click here.