Author: kotatsufestival

I visited Cardiff in 1992, when I co-operated to curate special programs of Japanese animation for an international animation festival held in Cardiff at that time. I remember that I felt very relaxed during my stay, where I enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere of this historical city, and also, by many people I met at the shopping centre who were so kind and warm. I even thought of living in a city like Cardiff! Perhaps, the Welsh language might have given me a warm impression too.

Then, in HIROSHIMA ’98, I was very pleased to show a very strong special program of Welsh Animation, having originality and individuality in variety, and I also showed the program in Okinawa after our festival. At that time, I was delighted to learn the unique history and climate of Wales, reflected in the films. As such, I truly hope the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2010 will provide a good opportunity for Japanese animation film-makers to spread their animation culture in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, as well as to study the very high-quality British animation art too.

I also hope that the Festival will serve as a good site for friendship and exchange, just like a family gathering at Kotatsu, supporting many Japanese animation film-makers to become very successful internationally.

Sayoko Kinoshita
Festival Director
International Animation Festival in Japan – HIROSHIMA

We are very honoured to have received a personal message from the one of the biggest and most respected names in Japanese animation, Isao Takahata, Film Director, and Co-head of Studio Ghibli

I am delighted to hear that this Japanese Animation Film Festival will be held at Cardiff, a city with a tradition of hosting film festivals. When I was informed that the title of the Festival was to be KOTATSU, I immediately felt something of a personal affinity; it was very much a serendipitous moment for me. By sheer coincidence one of my own films “Hohokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun” (My Neighbors the Yamadas) has many scenes based around the kotatsu, a Japanese style of room/body heater. The image of sitting around the kotatsu symbolizes the pleasure of happy family life in Japan. If you ever have the opportunity to see the film you will understand what kotatsu means. And that’s why I am particularly pleased to be able to wish every success to the KOTATSU Film Festival.

Isao Takahata
Message translated by Midori Matsui

The Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2010 has been announced and will take place from the 26th – 28th November at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, South Wales, UK.

“We really hope it’s a big success and will lead to closer working relationships between Wales and Japan. We are in negotiation with various special guests to come along and give workshops and talks for the general public and anyone who is interested in getting into the animation industry.”

Festival Director Eiko Meredith.