The Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival was created by organizer Ms Eiko Meredith. Launched in November 2010 at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, UK, the festival screens the best in Japanese animation and culture to a wide audience.
Our mission is to spread the joy of Japanese animation and, to this end, we strive to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. Likewise, the films we showcase come from a diverse pool of Japanese creators. We normally screen our films in the original Japanese with English subtitles.
We try our best to maintain a fair gender balance (male/female filmmakers) in our programmes. Films that are directed and/or written by women are indicated with an F-rated logo.
Our festivals include stalls and activities that highlight wider Japanese culture and create a fun and welcoming atmosphere, such as our festival raffle. We also run free online events that can be accessed from all over the world.
The festival is a registered charity (RCN1187288) that relies on donations and financial support. The funds raised from our stalls and raffle go back into ensuring the festival can continue to run next year. There are other ways to support us if you would like to, including via Patreon and buying our merchandise on RedBubble. You can also support us by signing up the EasyFundRaising, which allows us to collect donations when you shop online at no extra cost to you.
A ‘Kotatsu‘ is a table unique to Japan, which is draped in a blanket, futon or quilt, and which has a heater underneath. It’s ideal to keep your feet and legs warm while you are working away on the cold winter nights. So, come on in, pull the blanket around you and enjoy some of the finest Japanese animation available.
Character Designs & Animation courtesy of Chie Arai
Kotatsu Festival – Festival Director
Eiko Meredith (Enhanced DBS checked)
Kotatsu Festival – Trustees
Robin Lyons (Chair of the Trustees)
Alexandra Owen-Burns
Benjamin Hugh Rive
Support Team
Taeko Matsuura – Adviser
Gary Bush – Graphic / Web Design, IT
Support Us
Patreon: Please support us by signing up to be our supporter on Patreon. You can be Kohai, Senpai, Sensei or Otaku!
EasyFundRaising: Do you shop online? Please sign up to Easyfundraising and you can turn your online shopping into free donations.