5th OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL MOVIE FESTIVAL

Okinawa International Movie Festival Organization Committee Honorary-Chairman
Governor of Okinawa

Hirokazu Nakaima

Ladies and gentlemen, who have gathered here from overseas and various places in Japan for the 5th Okinawa International Movie Festival! “Men-sore (Welcome)” to Okinawa.

I am extremely pleased with that the Okinawa International Movie Festival, which was inaugurated in 2009, sees its fifth anniversary this year, and, at the same time, I would like to express my gratitude for Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. and their associates, who have been involved with hosting of this wonderful event.

We welcomed the largest ever visitors of 410,000 at the 4th festival last year, and various media including televisions and magazines reported favorably the atmosphere of the event, which was thronged with participants not only from Okinawa but also from other places in Japan and overseas.

I am truly delighted that the festival has become established as one of the featured events in Okinawa in March.

I have been informed that, at this year’s festival, a number of programs are available for many people to get to know the essence of Okinawa by the introduction of regionally-derived-type projects and various other projects such as the one named “Nibichi Movie Festival”, in which contestants compete with each other for the best picture of wedding ceremony entertainments. It must be a rare treat for those who come from outside Okinawa, along with the transmission of commercials introducing regional attractions of all 41 municipalities of Okinawa prefecture.

It would make me happy if, on this occasion, those who come from outside Okinawa in Japan and from overseas could fully enjoy the Okinawa International Movie Festival by relishing attractions of Okinawa to the full extent including its abundant nature, culture, and music.

I wish all the best for the “5th Okinawa International Movie Festival”, and hope that everyone here will bask in “laugh” and “peace”.