Skip to content
29 Jan – 8 Feb 2026

Focus on Japanese direct-to-video phenomenon V-Cinema at IFFR 2026

Published on:

IFFR has revealed its second Focus programme for the upcoming 55th edition of the festival, taking place from 29 January – 8 February 2026. The dedicated programme will centre on V-Cinema – the Japanese direct-to-video phenomenon that emerged in the late 1980s and left a lasting mark on contemporary film culture – and feature early works by now-famous auteurs, through to discoveries that have rarely been seen outside Japan.

The V-Cinema production model, which originated with Toei’s Crime Hunter: Bullets of Rage (1989), responded to the rise of video rental, by producing films that were not released in cinemas. This approach allowed directors to work quickly, economically, and with remarkable creative freedom. It offered invaluable opportunities to an emerging generation of filmmakers who would go on to shape Japanese cinema – with Miike Takashi, Nakata Hideo, Kurosawa Kiyoshi and Aoyama Shinji all beginning their journeys here and testing the boundaries of genre, form and narrative in ways that still resonate today.

IFFR’s V-Cinema Focus Programme will feature a range of titles from Toei – including the high-octane action title Crime Hunter: Bullets of Rage (1989) and the follow-ups Crime Hunter 2: Bullets of Betrayal (1989) and Crime Hunter 3: Killing the Bullet (1990), in addition to Betrayal of Tomorrow (1990), the debut full-length work by Nakata Hideo Female teacher: Forbidden Sex (1995), and XX Beautiful Weapon (1993).

The programme will also spotlight the omnibus of ghost stories Scary True Stories: Second Night (1992); the found-footage investigation into a haunted pop song Psychic Vision: Jaganrei (1988) and Miike Takashi’s gleeful celebration of excess Fudoh: The New Generation (1996). Additional titles include Tuff: Part I (1990), a violent, surreal gangland tale of a hitman’s rise; Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s yakuza comedy Suit Yourself or Shoot Yourself!! VI: The Hero (1996); the tale of a loan shark helping small business owners The King of Minami (1992) and archetypal action movie from Aoyama Shinji, A Weapon in my Heart (1996).

A list of images

“Wild and inventive cinema embracing everything from anarchic yakuza tales and psycho-horror experiments to surreal hybrid pieces”

Vanja Kaludjercic, Festival Director at IFFR, said: “V-Cinema offered filmmakers the space to take risks, move fast and work with a freedom rarely possible within the traditional studio system. What emerged was a wild and inventive cinema embracing everything from anarchic yakuza tales and psycho-horror experiments to surreal hybrid pieces – work that still feels electric today. Thanks to the deep knowledge and curatorial vision of Tom Mes, IFFR audiences will encounter this extraordinary chapter of Japanese film culture on the big screen and feel the raw energy that defined it.”

The complete programme for IFFR’s 55th edition will be launched on the 16 December 2025.

Contact: IFFR@ddaglobal.com  

  • About IFFR

    International Film Festival Rotterdam’s (IFFR) upcoming 55th edition of the festival will take place from 29 January – 8 February 2026. IFFR presents a leading international film festival and year-round programme and actively supports new and adventurous filmmaking talent through its co-production market CineMart, its Hubert Bals Fund, Rotterdam Lab and other industry activities.

    IFFR seeks to expand, enrich and challenge people’s views of the world and each other through film and audiovisual arts. IFFR’s programme deepens appreciation of cinema in all its forms, broadens and diversifies audiences, and creates opportunities for independent filmmakers and artists from around the globe.

    Through IFFR’s visionary programming and forward-looking  initiatives, we create a haven for the plurality of voices, audiovisual formats and diverse storytelling. We are an essential destination for film professionals and film lovers. We support filmmakers and artists with funding and development opportunities and advance the impact of their work in the world. We are accessible to everyone. Through screenings, talks, exhibitions, education, professional initiatives and funding schemes we bring people from all backgrounds together, enabling discovery, recognition dialogue, learning and development. We look where others don’t and we open a space for ideas, pushing creative boundaries that have the power to transform.

    IFFR is supported by partners including Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap (OCW), Gemeente Rotterdam, Rotterdam Festivals, Creative Europe Media, NL Film Fonds, Fonds 21, de Volkskrant and VriendenLoterij




A list with articles