Celebrating its 14th edition in 2025, the festival is produced by CINEMA CARAVAN, an outdoor cinema project based on the concept of “Play with the Earth.” Held on the sandy shores of Zushi Beach in Kanagawa, the event features open-air film screenings along with food stalls, a bazaar, and a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
The festival will feature a different film each day. This year’s lineup includes the Japan premiere of The Griot, a music documentary that vividly captures the tradition, storytelling, and melodies of the hereditary musicians known as griots in West Africa.
Also screening are The Crazy Stranger, directed by Algerian-born Tony Gatlif, which follows the encounters between a young Frenchman and the Roma community; the iconic surf film The Endless Summer, often hailed as the origin and pinnacle of the surf movie genre; and Lost in Translation, directed by Sofia Coppola, which portrays 1990s Tokyo through a foreign lens.
Additionally, the documentary Beyond “documenta fifteen”, directed by Rai Shizuno, will be presented with a live performance by the Play with the Earth Orchestra.
While the outdoor screenings begin after sunset, daytime activities will be held in the CINEMA TENT, including short film screenings by domestic and international production teams, as well as live performances featuring original soundtracks for silent films.
A wide variety of other content is also planned. On Sunday, April 27, designated as Kids’ Day, there will be a beatbox workshop and showcase led by Bose from Schadaraparr and pioneer human beatboxer AFRA. On Tuesday, April 29 (a national holiday), a live performance by a small ensemble of Minyo Crusaders will accompany a screening of the film Bring Minyo Back!. On Thursday, May 1, a talk session will be held featuring Kan Takagi and Naoto Takenaka.
The 14th Zushi Beach Film Festival
Venue: Zushi Beach, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dates: April 25 (Fri) – May 6 (Tue, National Holiday), 2025
Gates Open: 1:00 PM (3:00 PM on the first day only)
Event will proceed in light rain / canceled in case of severe weather.
Admission Fees:
◆ General: ¥3,000
◆ Zushi Residents: ¥1,500 (ID required)
◆ Free for junior high school students and younger (Student ID required for junior high students)
Tickets:
◆ Advance Tickets: On sale online from March 30, 2025
https://cinema-caravan.zaiko.io/e/zushifilm2025
◆ Same-Day Tickets: A limited number of discounted tickets for Zushi residents available at the venue
ID required
No same-day general tickets available
Organized by: Zushi Beach Film Festival Executive Committee
Co-organized by: Zushi Art Festival Executive Committee
Supported by: City of Zushi, Zushi City Tourism Association
