Four films will open the Kyoto International Student Films & Video Festival which will take place from February 20 – 23, 2026 in Kyoto, Japan.

Opening Ceremony
February 20, 2026 | Friday | Museum of Kyoto Film Theater | 10:30 am

Chuckle Chuckle by Yuka Nishida – Japan | 2025 – 76 minutes

Sahara dreams of becoming a comedian and has long performed as the duo “Geki-Ama Subuta” with his partner Setoguchi. But after an incident, the pair breaks up. Just as Sahara is left stranded mid-dream, an “ideal version” of himself̶one who has become a wildly successful comedian̶suddenly appears. This double shares the secrets of success and begins to interfere in Saharaʼs life… (KISFVF 2026)

Mimi’s Confusion by Miaojing Yang – China | 2024 – 24 minutes

2013, a small county town in northwest China. Ten-year-old girl Mimi was assigned by adults as a boy. In order to prove that she is a girl, she struggled, but almost made a big mistake. (KISFVF 2026)

The Calm of the Cicadas by Sarah Deredec, Camille Collins, Clémence Ansquer, Juliette Le Hir, Chun-i Cheng, Ambre Muamba, Salomé Leroy – France | 2024 – 5 minutes

To save the tranquility of his paradisiac Mediterranean island, threatened by the noise of boats, Marcel will embark on a merciless battle that will break the ears of many. But he will get carried away, causing the destruction of his entire environment. (KISFVF 2026)

What If by Ziyu Wang – 2025 – 19 minutes

Years after their parting, Liu Jun runs into Chen Dong again. Five years ago, she left Shanghai for a promising career, a decision that led to their separation. Once deeply drawn to one another, they now find themselves drifting apart. She can’t help but imagine a parallel reality where she never left Shanghai, and wonders how different her life might have been. Yet, perhaps regrets are just part of life; every choice we make ultimately shapes who we are today. (KISFVF 2026)

For more information, please visit: https://www.kisfvf.com/