The 76th Berlin International Film Festival commenced on February 12, 2023, with a notable presence of Japanese films, including the animated feature 'Hana Kuro Ao ga Akeru Hi,' directed by Yoshitoshi Shinomiya. This film is competing in the long feature category while various other Japanese works have been selected across multiple categories, highlighting the country's strong representation at this prestigious international event.

'Hana Kuro Ao ga Akeru Hi' depicts the story of a young man who is attempting to create a mythical firework in a factory facing demolition. This marks the feature film debut for director Shinomiya, who previously contributed to renowned projects directed by Makoto Shinkai and Sunao Katabuchi. Notably, among the 22 films in competition this year, 13 directors are first-time participants in major film festivals like Cannes and Venice, bringing fresh perspectives to the event, with Wim Wenders serving as the jury president and Japanese director HIKARI participating as a juror.|

Furthermore, the festival features diverse genres and themes, with works such as Takuya Uchiyama’s 'Shibire,' which won a special jury prize at last year’s Tokyo Filmex, exploring themes of abuse and poverty through the lens of youth. The 'Generation' category highlights children's subject matter, including 'Eiga Entotsu Machi no Poupelle,' featuring the creative input of Ryo Hiroshi Nishino from the comedy duo King Kong. The festival emphasizes innovative storytelling and presents an opportunity for emerging talents within the global film community.