A committee of community organizations has announced plans for the first San Jose J-Town FilmFest for the weekend of May 29-31. On Friday and Saturday, the roster of films will be shown at the JTS Northside Community Center, with the Sunday showing at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj).

Opening the FilmFest at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, will be a special program featuring Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farmworkers. Director Marissa Aroy will participate in the program with famed filmmaker and playwright, Luis Valdez. The program will be followed by a special musical event by Sonido Clash.

Films to be screened on Saturday include the following:   

• Hibakusha (animated) - 11:00 a.m.
• Kumu Hina - 12:45 p.m.
• Skin Stories: The Art and Culture of Polynesian Tattoo - 3:00 p.m.
• East Side Sushi (paired with a sushi reception) - 5:00 p.m.
• The People I've Slept With (Quentin Lee/Koji Sakai comedy) - 8:30 p.m.

Each screening includes a post-show program, featuring special guests such as the filmmakers and/or cast members.

The FilmFest closes on Sunday, May 31, at 1:00 pm, at JAMsj with a screening of Issei: The First Generation, the long-lost documentary about the Issei pioneers of the Sacramento River Delta.

The San Jose J-Town FilmFest organizing committee is comprised of representatives from the following organizations: 

• J-Town Community TV
• Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj)
• Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS)
• Multicultural Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI)
• The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)

Signature Sponsors include Lucia Cha, Jerry Hiura, Ken Kamei, and CM Capital Foundation.

The FilmFest is just one of the events celebrating the 125th anniversary of historic San Jose Japantown. According to the organizers, the plan is to make this an annual event.

Tickets and film screening schedules can be found at jtownfilmfest.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will also soon be available at JAMsj.