Rotterdam Film Festival Shines Spotlight On Japan's V-Cinema Movement

The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced its second Focus program for the 55th edition, highlighting Japan's V-Cinema movement. V-Cinema, which emerged in the late 1980s, refers to a direct-to-video production model that allowed filmmakers to create content outside of traditional studio systems.

This movement had a profound impact on Japan's contemporary film culture, enabling creators to experiment with new genres, themes, and storytelling styles (Variety, 2025). One of the titles featured in the IFFR's V-Cinema showcase is "Female Teacher: Forbidden Sex." This film, like many others in the V-Cinema canon, explores themes of sex, relationships, and social norms in Japan. The V-Cinema movement was characterized by its focus on niche audiences and genres, often pushing boundaries and challenging societal conventions.

According to an article by Variety, the IFFR's celebration of V-Cinema aims to recognize the significant contributions this movement has made to Japanese cinema (Variety, 2025). The IFFR's Focus program on V-Cinema offers a unique opportunity for film enthusiasts to experience a range of titles that have shaped Japan's cinematic landscape.