Boris Rhein, Minister of Arts and Science of Hesse

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends of Japanese film, dear guests,

once again the Japanese Film Festival NIPPON CONNECTION is about to open its doors in the heart of Hesse at the end of May, inviting and awaiting thousands of international visitors and guests. Taking place in metropolitan Frankfurt, the fourteenth edition of the world's biggest festival for Japanese cinema not only offers an excellent selection of films, but also deep and substantial insights into Japanese culture as a whole.

As a corner stone of the Hessian scene of film festivals, internationally acclaimed NIPPON CONNECTION creates a space for artists and other people engaged in the cultural sector to mingle and network, a meeting point for film makers and professional visitors from Germany and Japan. In the intercultural exchange, NIPPON CONNECTION is an interface enabling a multitude of institutions, corporations and local cultural facilities to connect and work together.

At the two festival centers, the Mousonturm and the Naxoshalle, a broad spectrum of Japanese cinema and everyday culture awaits the visitor. This program is organized by a festival team comprising more than seventy members, all working in an honorary capacity, assisted by over a dozen voluntary helpers. For this effort and their accomplishments I want to congratulate the NIPPON CONNECTION team from the bottom of my heart.

I would also like to thank all of the sponsors, patrons, and cooperating partners of the festival, all of whom have made this event possible. Your continued sponsorship is very much appreciated. Finally, I would like to give my kindest regards to all of the visitors and guests – may it be an inspiring and eventful festival week for all.

Yours truly,

Boris Rhein
Minister of Arts and Science of Hesse