Zushi Beach Film Festival 2015

Spring is finally starting to feel like it's here to stay, and what better way to greet it than by watching movies on a beach under the stars? If this sounds like your kind of way to spend an evening, then don't miss the upcoming Zushi Beach Film Festival, which starts this Saturday.

This year’s festival is the sixth installment since its inception, and it will last nearly two weeks. Taking place at Zushi Beach, roughly one hour from Tokyo, the festival will screen classic movies, foreign films, and even some pop-culture favorites.

Each of the 12 days during which the festival runs will have a different theme, with the film shown coordinating with that. Some themes are based on a particular country, such as Portugal, India, Spain and France (note that these films will likely be shown in their original language, with subtitles only in Japanese). Others are based on genre, such as classic film day (“Back to the Future Part II”) and kids day (“Ghostbusters”). Most screenings start around 7 p.m., but some days there are also related events, such as talks and slideshows, that precede the films.

In addition to the movie showings, the festival also includes food stands and a shopping bazaar, both of which will change slightly each day in order to follow the theme. Organizers ask that guests don’t bring in their own food and drinks to the screenings, in order to support the businesses participating in the food stalls and bazaar.

Tickets to the Zushi Beach Film Festival will be available at the entrance, but are limited to around 600 per day. They will go on sale from 11 a.m. each day. While visitors are welcome to spend all day at the festival, lounging on the beach, eating the food and shopping at the bazaar, going early to save a spot and then disappearing until the evening screening is not permitted.

For more information on this year’s festival and to view the complete schedule, please see the official website.

The Deets

When: Sat, Apr. 25–Wed, May 6, from 11 a.m. each day

Where: Zushi Beach, about a 15-minute walk from JR Zushi Station (in the case of inclement weather, the venue may be changed to Cinema Amigo, 1-5-4 Shinjuku, Zushi, Kanagawa; check the website for details)

How much: ¥1,000 per person per day (junior high school students ¥500; elementary school students free)