NARAtive, a coinage combining “Nara” and “narrative,” is designed to promote Nara to the world. The mission of NARAtive is to present outstanding films that represent the essence of Nara. It is our great pleasure to record the nature and people of Nara on films and hand them to the next generation.
The NIFF invites young promising directors to Nara. They make films that are set in Nara. Experienced staffs and the local people support their shootings. Filming in/about Nara by the directors coming from outside of Nara allows the local people to strengthen their sense of community and to socialize with the shooting staff. Then, the NARAtive movies travel around the world to inform the people of its beauty.
NARAtive encourages new talents to make films and help people all over the wolrd discover Nara.
History of NARAtive
2009
Two directors were selected by recommendation as a new creator active in the world, made the first NARAtive project.
2010
Nara International Film Festival 2010
The Golden SHIKA Award "ALAMAR"
Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio(Mexio)
2011
We made the second NARAtive project with Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio.
2012
Nara International Film Festival 2012
Jang Kunjae(Korea) gained the right to produce the third NARAtive project.
2013
We made the third NARAtive project with Jang Kunjae.
2014
Nara International Film Festival 2014
The Jury Special Award "THE SWIMMING POOL"
Carlos M. Quintela(Cuba)
2015
We made the fourth NARAtive project with Carlos M. Quintela.
2016
Nara International Film Festival 2016
The Golden SHIKA Award "NAHID"
Ida Panahandeh(IRAN)
2017
We made the fifth NARAtive project with Ida Panahandeh.
2018
Nara International Film Festival 2018
The Golden SHIKA Award "THE SNATCH THIEF"
Agustín Toscano(Argentina)
Producer of NARAtive
Naomi Kawase
Naomi KAWASE is a filmmaker based in Nara, where she was born and raised.In 2013, KAWASE became the 1st Japanese filmmaker to be invited as the juror for the Festival de Cannes, where she has won her international recognitions through her films such as “SUZAKU” (1997) and “MOGARI (The Mourning Forest)”(2007). ”HANEZU”(2011), “FUTATSU ME NO MADO (Still the Water)”(2014) and her latest, “HIKARI (Radiance)”(2017) also were invited to the main competition program of the Festival de Cannes. In 2018, her latest feature film “Vision” (starring Julieee Binoche) will be released around the world.
Beside her filmmaking career, KAWASE is the founder of NARA International Film Festival started 2010.
Official Website: www.kawasenaomi.com
Official Twieer: @KawaseNAOMI
1997
“SUZAKU”, her 1st feature film won the Camera d’or at the Festival de Cannes
KAWASE became the youngest filmmaker to receive the award
2007
“MOGARI”, won the Grand Prix at the Festival de Cannes
2009
Received the Carrosse d’Or at the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes for her lifetime achievement
2010
“GENPIN”, won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 58th San Sebastian International Film Festival
2011
“HANEZU”, was invited as an Official Selection for the official competition at the Festival de Cannes
2012
Retrospective of Naomi KAWASE at the Cinémathèque Française
2013
Participated as a jury for the competition at the Festival de Cannes
2014
“STILL IN WATER”, was invited as an Official Selection for the official competition at the Festival de Cannes
2015
Bestowed the Chevalier de l‘Ordre des Arts et des Leeres
(Knight of the Order of Arts and Leeers) by the French Minister of Culture
“AN”, was the opening film of the Un Certain Regard (Film d’ouverture) at the Festival de Cannes
2016
Served as a jury president for Cinefondation and short film competition at the Festival de Cannes
2017
“Hikari” received the Ecumenical Jury awards at the Festival de Cannes
2018
“Vision”, the latest feature fillm (starring Julieee Binoche) ,will be released around the world
-KAWASE’s Current Works in Progress-
As part of the Nippon Archive-Beau?ful Japan- Project, KAWASE has been shooting and presenting short clips of ‘Beautiful Japan, Nara’ on YouTube
Directing the opera “TOSCA”: in Niigata, Tokyo, Toyama, Kanazawa and Okinawa – 2017-
Naomi KAWASE installation exhibition will be held at Pompidou Centre in Paris 23rd November 2018 to 04th January 2019
KAWASE, as a producer to produces NARAtive films, currently working on its 6th film, with director Ida Panahandeh (Iran)