Japanese Film Festival 2026 at GSC
Good news for cinephiles and anyone looking to venture beyond their usual watchlist, the Japanese Film Festival 2026 is returning to selected GSC cinemas throughout Malaysia from 8th September to 18th October. Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming festival:
What is the Japanese Film Festival 2026?
Image credit: JFF Theatre via Website
Organised by The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur, the Japanese Film Festival is an annual celebration of Japanese cinema held at selected GSC locations nationwide.
The festival brings a mix of contemporary releases, box-office hits, anime, comedies, and restored classics to Malaysian audiences. All movies are screened in Japanese with English subtitles, giving moviegoers a glimpse into the country’s culture through stories on the big screen.
Where to catch Japanese Film Festival 2026 screenings?
The Japanese Film Festival 2026 will travel to 7 GSC locations across 5 regions in Malaysia. Klang Valley moviegoers will get an entire week of screenings, while the festival will span 4 days in each of the other states in the country, including Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
Here’s when and where you can catch the screenings:
| Region | GSC Location | Screening dates |
| Klang Valley | GSC Mid Valley, GSC MyTOWN & GSC 1 Utama | 10th–16th September 2026 |
| Penang | GSC Gurney Plaza | 17th–20th September 2026 |
| Johor Bahru | GSC Paradigm Mall JB | 24th–27th September 2026 |
| Kuching | GSC CityONE Megamall | 8th–11th October 2026 |
| Kota Kinabalu | GSC Suria Sabah | 15th–18th October 2026 |
What can I watch at the Japanese Film Festival 2026?
At the time of writing, the movie lineup for the Japanese Film Festival 2026 has yet to be announced. With the festival still several weeks away, moviegoers will have to sit tight a little longer before finding out which Japanese stories are headed to the big screen.
The full programme, including movie titles, directors, and screening times, is expected to be revealed closer to the festival.
How to get tickets to the Japanese Film Festival?
Ticket prices and purchasing details for the Japanese Film Festival 2026 have also yet to be announced. For now, moviegoers can save the dates and find the nearest participating GSC cinema ahead of the festival’s arrival.
Stream Japanese movies for free on JFF Theatre
Image credit: JFF Theatre via Website
Those who would like to start their Japanese movie marathon before September can do so through JFF Theater, The Japan Foundation’s free streaming platform for Japanese films.
The current selection includes fantasy drama The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, calligraphy comedy Shodo Girls!!, mystery thriller Erased, and time-loop romance The 100th Love with You. These movies will remain available and free to watch until 5th August 2026.
Image Credit: IMDb via Website
Viewers will have slightly longer to catch bathhouse comedy YUDO and sports comedy Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t, which are streaming until 2nd September. Meanwhile, both parts of the supernatural fantasy Sagrada Reset will remain online until 7th October.
The movies can be streamed for free after creating your own account over at the Japan Foundation KL’s official website. New selections are introduced monthly, with English, Malay, and Chinese subtitles available, so viewers can keep returning to discover more Japanese films.
Celebrate Japanese cinema in Malaysia with JFF 2026
Whether you prefer settling into a cinema seat or discovering a new favourite from the comfort of home, JFF 2026 offers more than one way to step into the world of Japanese storytelling.
The cinema lineup, ticket prices, and booking details for the Japanese film screenings at these GSC locations have yet to be announced, so keep an eye on The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur’s social media pages for updates. Until then, consider the free movies on JFF Theater your warm-up for the festival.
Cover image adapted from: JFF Theatre via Website, Mid Valley Megamall via Website