Written by Aarohi Narain
Every year, the Refugee Film Festival invites viewers to explore stories of displacement, survival, and hope.
What happens?
Hosted by the UNHCR Association Japan, the festival aims to foster empathy through film.
Screenings will take place both online and in theaters across Tokyo and Osaka, including TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills, TOHO Cinemas Namba, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo.
Lineup 2025
This year’s program, marking 20 years of the festival, features nine films from around the world. Six are premiering in Japan.
Highlights include Khartoum, a portrait of life in Sudan as ordinary people face the collapse of their city; Under the Invisible Sky, which follows two children finding friendship underground in war-torn Ukraine; and Another Place, tracing the journeys of three young refugees rebuilding their lives in Europe.
Other notable works include Kabul Beauty, about two women in Afghanistan forced to choose between safety and freedom under Taliban rule, and Radio Dadaab, which follows a journalist broadcasting from a Kenyan refugee camp at the frontline of climate change.
Please note that not all films have English subtitles. For a complete list, check here.
Schedule 2025
Theater screenings in Tokyo take place from November 6 (TOHO Roppongi Hills) and December 2 and 3 (Italian Cultural Institute), while Osaka screenings take place on November 13 (TOHO Namba).
Please note that seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Online, the festival runs from November 6 to December 7.
Tickets 2025
Watch for free or participate through donation-based access, with proceeds supporting UNHCR’s refugee assistance programs.
- Single film: ¥2,000 – ¥20,000 donation tiers available
- Eight-film pass: ¥5,000 – ¥100,000 donation tiers available
How to get there
The Italian Cultural Institute is a 13-minute walk from Kudanshita Station, which is 8 minutes on the Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station.
For TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills, take the Oedo Line to Roppongi Station, then walk about 15 minutes to the venue.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
